This constitutes a narrative of how came to be, from a critique of the co-opting of the free software community by surveillance capitalists, and the failure to reform our main event from within, the following creation of an off festival to call for awareness, and the final move to fork into something completely different.
1. Before OFFDEM
Growing awareness of the shortcomings of the free software community
The danger of corporate sponsors, and how to fund a community event differently
When we realized the funding source might not be the only issue (i.e., politics)
The path is the goal: presence, conviviality, collaboration, continuity
A focus on building tomorrow today
3. Sharing is Caring
Consolidating the ways of OFFDEM
Self-organization
The undocumented citizensā hospitality (food and shelter)
Good food and solidarity
Working groups and the general assembly
Decentralization
Passing on the Flame
4. From Then On
Here, OFFDEM 0x04, the fifth edition is the first one with decentralized events: the usual gathering in Brussels on the first week-end of February will happen, to keep the clock ticking, since the dates are ingrained in our collective mindset ā and a new volunteer team stepped up to organize it. Another event will take place all the way across Europe, in Crete, a couple of months later Who knows, maybe other small free software gatherings will sprout this or next yearā¦ One thing is certain: we need more small groups gathering and working together on addressing pressing issues, and share their achievements with everyone, to grow knowledge and know-how, critical spirit and digital technologies that count to bring forth affordances for the whole of humanity, with the hope to live, think, and act together in peace and freedom.[1]
I added the fifth section on āPast OFFDEM Eventsā to keep track of the ongoing work to document past events. Especially OFFDEM and OFFDEM HāO are missing documentation. Please see the draft topics and the relevant Archive categories if you want to help write our story.
Well, God is fundamental for many and I respect that, itās ok to let it even though I find this reference a bit off-topic: Iām not sure weāve ever talked about spirituality in any OFFDEM sessions.
Actually Iām more uncomfortable about the reference to āpurity and essence of our naturalā¦ fluidsā. It has always cringed me a bit somehow, feeling like weāre talking about a sex party, like a creepy whistle. Maybe Iām just too prudish here, idk.
came to be, from a critique of the co-opting of the free software community by surveillance capitalists, and the failure to reform our main event from within, the following creation of an off festival to call for awareness, and the final move to fork into something completely different.