Marx on Nature Conference

10:30 am-11:30 am: Alex Colas (Birkbeck):

Marx, Capitalism and Maritime Temporalities

11:30 am-12:30 pm: Gareth Dale (Brunel): Marx, Growth Ideology, and Degrowth

12:30-14:00: lunch break

14:00-15:00: Nick Stevenson (Nottingham): Democratic Socialism, Degrowth and the Commons: Raymond Williams, Marxism, and the Anthropocene

15:00-16:00: Martin Crook (UWE Bristol): Marx and the Ecocide – Genocide Nexus

16:00-16:30: coffee break

16:30-17:30: Esther Leslie (Birkbeck):

Marx between Fire Theft and Theft for Fire: On Land

(and Everything Else) as Social Product

17:30-18:00: Conclusions by the organisers Laura Langone (Oxford/Verona) and Bernhard Malkmus (Oxford)

This event is organised by Dr Laura Langone, Visiting Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Oxford’s Sub-Faculty of German and funded through Dr Langone’s MSCA FUNDS

NOTES from – Marx and nature

Surface time of capitalism, discipline and exchange, exploitation. This is always a revolutionary time.

The time of labour

Deep time, geographic, sea trade roots have lasted thousands of years, with a few new ones the big canals and coming up through the melting ice.

Eastry’s, brackish water, delves into queer humanitarians.

Environmental time meeting the human time of #climatechaos industrialisation, the ghrate accelerations, profits and tax. We do not yet live on the high sea.

Ships are never far from land when at sea, a confined and highracical workspace. Your life world is the same as your work world. Seafarer are pricernares of logistics on boats.

Next speaker

The inventured of economic growth in socialist thinking, Stalin pushed this, catchup and overtake the west. An organisation that become economised, over politics, state capitalism. Technocratic.

———————————————————

I come from an academic background, but I would call my self now a more Organic intellectual

This often invokes fear in academics. Our fear of this kind of knowledge is very modern, we live in fear filled times.

* live on a boat in the “commons” of the waterways, one of the last parts of Europe that have this pre-modern vagrant life.

* But work in technology, where techno fetishism is endemic amongst what I call the #geekproblem

– In the nortical terms the captain and crew, as was sead earlier a master and slave relationship is core to this thinking with the coder as master and the computer as slave – us the users, digital surfs – our role is to fill the information flows with “content” to facilitate harvests data and attention for control of the (#geekproblem) masters and profit of the capitalists.

These people, who increasingly run and control large parts of our lives, are very hard to talk to, it’s my job to do this, and I find it increasingly difficult to cross this tech/social divide.

In technology this is taking us back to pre-modern social relationship of feudalism.

How would Max think of these issues?

—————————–

Boat life – I moor to university land on water controlled by a government agency EU that used to be enforced by the local counceal – they are in dispute on who has responsibility to nobody is taking control, so I live outside the laws in tempery “commons” this a lot of this on the waterways.

———————

Growth ideology was invented in the 17th century

———————-

Willions an English eco-socialist, radicalising the UK labour movement, self-management tradition

post-modernism raises its head as in everything is socially constructed in modern sociology. Inherent materialism rejects this path.

Rejecting the Green New Deal as a pro capitalist path.

The politics of place, European Union and Brexit rejecting globalisation

Worry about the legacy of Marxism

In the margarines the is a real issue of scale and for social change we need to scale up.

A British socialist vs a communist approach.

————————–

The #OGB is a balance approach, so no dogmatic group will except it. If a small group of people implemented the #OGB the majority of groups would expect it as it bridges the groups. We have to get this past this initial blocking of the dogmatists.

—————————-

neo-liberalism of climate change

Lemkin the annihilation of a group – genocide – the end of a social group.

Imperialism is a form of genocide, the imperative to expand.

Eco- criminogenic of capitalism

The human race is the indigigumes people and neoliberal capitalism is pushing genocide over them in the next 100 years. Capitalism might continue without the bulk of current humanity.

In Australia only modes of production that are useful to the capitalist state are keeps all the rest are exterminated, by bureaucracy or more forceful means. Exclusion from the means of production.

Extreme energy – is going to push the mess into every corner – driving #climatechaos

————————

The event was interesting, but had its moments of sectarianism and had thinking about the issues based on Marx, but no path to take or much of a sniff of a path out of the current mess.

———-

The small genocide of the boater community is a small example

The neoliberal pushing of #climatechaos will genocide large parts of humanity over the next 50 years in the service of an idealogical that might survive this mess, but our cultures and meany of our peoples will not.

Sheep devouring men – the clearances. Indiganalerty.

—————–

Marx and nature,

Plant has a natural and an industrial meaning.

Unattractive work, the factory syteam of labour separating human labour from their selves, alienated labour.

The Irish famine, sol exhaustion, British imperialism in Ireland.

#oxford

Why people should worry about NGO paths

The problem with #NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) and the wider (vertical adjacent) thinking they represent. In part, the issue is about how the organizations operate and adapt to pressures, particularly regarding funding.

  1. Agenda Shifting for Funding: All NGOs rely on funding from various sources, including governments, corporations, private donors, international organizations and foundations. To secure this funding, they feel compelled to adjust their agendas or priorities to align with the interests of funders. This leads to a disconnect between the organization’s original mission and the activities it pursues to maintain financial support.
  2. Cultural Shift: As NGOs continue to receive funding based on their adjusted agendas, these shifts can become entrenched within the organization’s culture. Over time, what was initially a strategic adaptation to secure funding evolves into the norm, shaping the organization’s identity and operations.
  3. Neutrality and Weakness: The pressure to maintain funding leads to NGOs prioritizing neutrality and avoiding controversial or confrontational stances. In doing so, they become less effective agents for social change and challenge, as they are hesitant to take bold actions or advocate for transformative policies that could jeopardize their funding relationships.
  4. Reactivity: In their efforts to sustain funding, NGOs develop a tendency to react to external demands rather than proactively pursuing their mission. This reactive approach limits their ability to address root causes of social issues and instead focus on short-term, band-aid solutions to appease funders or being “scene” to respond to immediate crises.

Overall, this dynamic results in a situation where NGOs, initially formed to challenge the status quo and advocate for change, become co-opted by the systems they seek to change. They prioritize stability and survival over meaningful impact, ultimately undermining their effectiveness as agents of social change.

This also applies to fluffy activist groups who are happy to shift their agenda to get funding, and as they get funding this shift becomes their working culture. In this, they are “neutralized” into weak agents for social change/challenge, and a tendency to become reactionary to keep funding flowing.

I hope talking about this mess helps you see how to take a powerful path through the fluffy/spiky debate.

Understanding #OMN and the #GeekProblem

Using the #OMN hashtag story to address the challenges and opportunities in the tech world, particularly in mediating the #geekproblem, involves leveraging the power of storytelling, community engagement, and strategic advocacy.

In the #geekproblem, there are two distinct paths. One path leads to the geeks who won’t code for changing human nature; they are consumed by the #deathcult, kneeling in reverence to it. The other path leads to those who stand tall, observing the world and crafting tools to compost the #techshit created by the first group.

A structured approach to take this path:

Understanding #OMN and the #GeekProblem

  • #OMN (Open Media Network): This represents a vision of an open, decentralized media network that empowers people and communities by giving them control over content creation and distribution.
  • The GeekProblem: This refers to the social and cultural issues within the tech community, such as elitism, lack of diversity, and communication barriers between technologists and the broader public. Rooted in the need for control.

Steps to Use #OMN for Change

  1. Define the Narrative:
    • Craft a compelling story around #OMN that highlights the potential to democratize media, enhance transparency, and foster collaboration.
    • Emphasize how #OMN can mediate the #geekproblem by creating more inclusive and accessible technology environments.
  2. Engage the Community:
    • Use the hashtag #OMN to build a community around the progressive tech vision. Encourage contributions from diverse people, including those who have been marginalized in the tech world.
    • Host online discussions, webinars, and collaborative projects to foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
  3. Highlight Success Stories:
    • Showcase examples of successful #OMN implementations and how they can have positive social impacts on communities.
    • Share stories of people and groups who have mediated the #geekproblem by adopting open, inclusive practices.
  4. Create Educational Content:
    • Develop and distribute resources that explain the principles of #OMN and how they can be applied to solve real-world problems.
    • Offer tutorials, case studies, and best practices to help people understand and implement #OMN concepts.
  5. Promote Open Dialogue:
    • Facilitate discussions about the challenges within the tech community, using #OMN as a framework for finding solutions.
    • Encourage honest conversations about elitism, diversity, and inclusivity, and how these issues can be addressed through open networks.
  6. Advocate for Policy Changes:
    • Work with policymakers and industry leaders to promote policies that support and decentralized media networks.
    • Advocate for regulations that encourage more transparency, user control, and ethical practices in the tech industry.
  7. Collaborate with Organizations:
    • Partner with organizations that share the vision of #OMN and inclusive tech culture.
    • Leverage these partnerships to amplify the message and reach a wider audience.
  8. Measure and Share Impact:
    • Collect feedback and data on the impact of #OMN initiatives and share these findings with the community.
    • Use this data to refine strategies and demonstrate the tangible benefits of adopting the #OMN approach.

Mediation Strategies for the #GeekProblem

  1. Foster Inclusivity:
    • Create spaces where non-technical people feel welcome and valued in tech discussions.
    • Encourage mentorship programs to help bridge the gap between experienced technologists and newcomers.
  2. Promote Diversity:Support initiatives that aim to increase diversity in tech education and employment.
  3. Enhance Communication:
    • Develop tools and platforms within the #OMN framework that facilitate clear and accessible communication like #indymediaback
    • Encourage technologists to use plain language and avoid jargon when interacting with broader audiences.
  4. Address Elitism:
    • Challenge the culture of elitism by promoting values of #CC collaboration and shared learning.
    • Recognize and reward contributions that enhance the community rather than individual prestige.

By strategically using the #OMN hashtag story, the tech community can mediate the #geekproblem and push meaningful change. This approach fosters a more inclusive, collaborative, and open tech culture, benefiting both the #mainstreaming and Alt-society.

You can support this here https://opencollective.com/open-media-network

#climatechaos requires a radical approach

The Seven Stages of climate denial:

1. It’s not real
2. It’s not us
3. It’s not that bad
4. We have time 
5. It’s too expensive to fix
6. Here’s a fake solution
7. It’s too late: you should have warned us earlier

Trolls use all of these stages to deny the reality of #climatechange

With this in mind, it’s worth looking at the climate crisis and its broader implications for liberals:

Understanding the Crisis

  1. Climate Change Impacts:
    • Primary Effects: The direct environmental impacts such as floods, storms, and droughts, species loss.
    • Secondary Effects: These encompass the broader impacts like social breakdown, mass migration, fiscal crises, and conflicts and wars.

Soft Problem: Infrastructure Response

To address the primary effects of climate change, we need to:

  1. Invest in Resilient Infrastructure:
    • Develop, diversify and upgrade infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events.
    • Implement sustainable urban planning and disaster preparedness programs.
  2. Promote Environmental Stewardship:
    • Encourage policies that protect natural ecosystems and biodiversity.
    • Support renewable down scaling with energy sources and totally end reliance on fossil fuels.

Hard Problem: State Stability and Security

Addressing the secondary effects involves:

  1. Economic and Social Policies:
    • Develop political and economic policies that buffer against fiscal crises caused by climate change.
    • Strengthen social safety nets to support communities impacted by environmental changes.
  2. Global Cooperation:
    • Foster international collaboration to facilitate the mass migration and sharing of resources.
    • Support global peacekeeping efforts to hold justice in place and prevent conflicts exacerbated by climate stressors.

Accountability and Legal Action

Prosecuting individuals and groups for their direct roles in the climate crisis involves several considerations:

  1. Legal Frameworks:
    • Establish clear legal standards for environmental crimes and corporate responsibility.
    • Develop international agreements to hold entities accountable for environmental damage.
  2. Ethical Considerations:
    • Ensure that legal actions are grounded in social justice and fairness.
    • Avoid simple scapegoating and ensure that those prosecuted are responsible for significant harm.
  3. Focus on Prevention:
    • Prioritize measures that prevent future harm alongside punitive actions for though who are found responsible.
    • Promote corporate and governmental accountability through regulations and incentives for sustainable practices and well as impotently building real alternatives.

Moving Forward

To effectively address the #climatecrisis and its security implications, a wide approach is needed:

  1. Promote Public Awareness and Engagement:
    • Educate the public on the causes and effects of #climatechange.
    • Encourage community involvement in real sustainability initiatives.
  2. Policy and Governance:
    • Advocate for robust climate policies at national and international levels.
    • Ensure that climate action is integrated into broader progressive security and economic strategies.
  3. Innovation and Adaptation:
    • Invest in research and development of soft and hard technologies for climate mitigation and adaptation.
    • Encourage the needed adaptive practices in agriculture, industry, and urban development.
  4. Ethical Leadership:
    • Foster community leadership outside the current #mainstreaming agendas, that prioritize long-term sustainability and ethical governance.
    • Promote transparency and accountability in society and climate-related decision-making.

Addressing the #climatecrisis requires a radical and balanced approach that combines immediate action with long-term planning, prominent legal accountability with widened ethical governance, and national efforts with wider global cooperation. By focusing on these areas, we can try to work towards a sustainable future.

For a #mainstreaming view of this https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-urges-action-on-climate-change-its-a-road-to-death/

On this subject: The #EU Eurocracy are hopelessly incompetent on progressive social and tech issues – it’s our job to help them be less incompetent as best we can. The other, native path is more dangerous, to get rid of them, the dangers with this is the right-wing will take their place. This applies to changing most #mainstreaming institutions and people, so we are left with challenge as a safe path.

I am working on our families archive

Banners, Useful and Beautiful.

From their base in West Wales, activists, artists and lecturers Thalia and lan Campbell not only make banners for a wide range of organisations, but also run workshops where they help people to make their own banners.

The Campbells have been making banners since 1978 and helped to promote the revival of the traditional women’s craft of sewn banners, following in the tradition of William Morris, the Suffragettes the Cooperative Women’s Guild and the Association of International Artists.

Thalia and lan have held office and been involved in the Labour Party and the Trade Union Movement as well as in Non Governmental Organisations. They were founder members of Arts for Labour an organisation for artists who support the party and party members who support the Arts. The making of banners brought their interests in politics and art together.

They were originally inspired in the 1970’s by an exhibition of trade union banners in Edinburgh Scotland and in 1978 by the then Liberal leader Jo Grimond who prophesied that,

“the country was about to enter a new dark ages with the use of the new technology.”

So they thought they would light up the new dark ages with bright and informative banners. The banners were used on marches, at conferences, rallies and at public meetings.

They also organised three major travelling exhibitions. 100 Years of Womens Banners, The Ribbon of Life, an exhibition of American peace and Justice material and Each for all All for Each, an exhibition of banners from the Cooperative Movement to celebrate 150 years of the Rochdale Pioneers who set up the first Cooperative store.

Sewn banners are easy to fold, pack and to transport. Many of the hundreds of banners they have made have travelled the world, to Italy, Germany, Austria, Holland, Finland Australia, USA, Canada, S America, The Ex French South Pacific Islands, New Zealand, China, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and continue to do so.

https://opencollective.com/campbellarchive

Thalia D. Campbell, B.A. Hons., Cert. Ed.

Education:

  • Torquay Girl’s Grammar School, 1948-1956
  • Matlock Teacher’s Training College, 1956-1958: Received Teaching Certificate from Nottingham University Institute of Education with Distinction in Art. Subsidiary subject: Music.
  • University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, 1973-1976: Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Visual Arts.

Employment:

  1. Infant Teacher at William Crane Infants School, Nottingham.
  2. Head of Art Dept. at Convent High School, Southampton.
  3. Design Lecturer at Southampton College of Art.
  4. Art Teacher at Ladies of Mary Convent, Scarborough. General Studies Lecturer at Scarborough Technical College.
  5. Home teacher of handicapped child.
  6. Conducted W.E.A. Art Classes in Yorkshire villages.
  7. Extra Mural Tutor at University College of Wales.
  8. Involved in two Community Art Projects with The Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth.
  9. Freelance researcher and Exhibition organizer.

Artistic Contributions:

  • Etcher, Painter, Screenprinter, and Designer.
  • Founder member of Torbay Art Group, 1959-65.
  • Exhibited works at various galleries including The Gabrowski Gallery, London, in 1958 and 1959.
  • The exhibition “Images of Men” at the I.C.A. London.
  • Part of the group that set up the precursor of the Women’s Artists Slide Library and the women’s art magazine F.A.N., Feminist Art News.
  • Chair of Artists and Designers in Wales, Aberystwyth, 1981-1982.
  • Visiting artist in schools for the Inner London Education Authority.
  • Speaker at various conferences including LLafur, Welsh Society of Labour History, and History Workshop 23 at Salford University.

Exhibitions and Projects:

  • Organized and raised funding for “100 Years of Women’s Banners” exhibition, which toured extensively across the UK and abroad.
  • Involved in numerous exhibitions and projects including ones at Coventry City Art Gallery, Oriel Theatre Clywd, Mold, Bristol City Council Chamber, and many more.

Consultancy and Advocacy:

  • Consults with Trades Unions and provides advice on the conservation of their artifacts.
  • Deposited extensive artistic and political archives with the National Library of Wales.
  • Negotiating major commissions with Northern College, Wentworth Castle, Barnsley, and with Bradford University and Dept of Peace Studies.
  • Organized events and platforms for various causes including childcare workers, Labour Party, and the Museum of Labour History, Liverpool.

Additional Information:

  • Provided valuation and conservation advice service to organizations.
  • Interviewed on local and national radio and TV programs.
  • Currently planning exhibitions and lectures in Australia.
  • Involved in numerous exhibitions and projects, borrowing items from various museums, galleries, and organizations, including schools, offices, and factories.

THALIA. D. CAMPBELL B.A. Hons.Cert. Ed.

Education.

1948 1956 Torquay Girl’s Grammar School.

60 levels and 2 A levels Geography, and Art (with distinction).

1956 1958. Matlock Teacher’s Training College.

Teaching Certificate, Nottingham University Institute of Education, with Distinction in Art. Subsidary subject, Music.

1973 1976. University College of Wales. Aberystwyth.

BA.Hons. Visual Arts.

Employment.

1. Infant Teacher. William Crane Infants School. 2.

Nottingham.

2. Head of Art Dept. Convent High School, Southampton. 3. Design Lecturer, Southampton College of Art.

4. Art Teacher. Ladies of Mary Convent, Scarborough. General Studies Lecturer, Scarborough Technical

5.

College.

6. Home teacher Of Handicapped Child.

7. W.Ε.Α. Art Classes in Yorkshire villages.

8. Extra Mural Tutor. University College of Wales.

9. Two Community Art Projects with The Centre for Alternative Technology. Machynlleth.

10. Freelance researcher and Exhibition organiser.

I am an Etcher, Painter, Screenprinter, and Designer. Founder member of Torbay Art Group, 1959-65.

With works on loan to Torquay Town Council for 8 years.

Member of the Midland Group of Artists. 1956,57,58. Nottingham. Member of Artists International Association. Lisle St.

Leicester Square. London. 1958,59. Exhibited at The Gabrowski Gallery. London. 1958,59.

Works in “Pictures for Schools”, Cumberland. Works in Scarborough Art Gallery, permanent Collection.

I was one of the initiators and organisers of the exhibition “Images of Men” at the I.C.A. London, which then travelled to several other galleries..

I was part of the same group of women who also set up the precursor of the Womens Artists Slide Library and the womens art magazine F.A.N., FEMINIST ART NEWS.

Chair of Artists and Designers in Wales. Aberystwyth.

1981-1982. (one and a half years.) Member 1975-82. 1988. Visiting artist in schools for the Inner London Education Authority.

Visiting Lecturer at Art Colleges, speaker at LLafur, Welsh Society of Labour History, at Gregynog Womens Studies Colloquia, International Conference, National Association of Teachers of English, 1989, History Workshop 23 at Salford University 1989, and for Kaleidoscope a Womens Fortnight of Events in Liverpool 1989.

Exhibitions:

1959. December. Umbrella Club Coventry. 1969. May. Theatre Royal York.

1988/89. two banners “Subversive Stitch.” in the touring exhibition

1987/88. one banner in the touring exhibition “Flying Colours.”

1989. A Banner in the exhibition “A Stitch in Time”, at the Peoples Palace, Glasgow.

I have researched, raised funding forjand organised, 100 YEARS OF WOMENS BANNERS, EXHIBITION, which has been at, a GRADE 2 TRAVELLING

NOVEMBER 1984. COVENTRY CITY ART GALLERY. 1986. ORIEL, THEATRE CLYWD, MOLD. N. WALES.

AUGUST JAN/FEB.

1987. BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER. GLYN WYCKHAM GALLERY. BRISTOL UNIVERSITY.

FEB/MAR.

1987. PLAYHOUSE GALLERY. HARLOW. ESSEX.

APRIL.

1987. HUDDERSFIELD POLYTECHNIC. YORKS. 1987.CYFARTHA CASTLE MUSEUM. MERTHYR TYDFIL.

JULY.

SEPTEMBER

1987.CHAPTER ARTS CENTRE.CARDIFF.

SEPT/OCT.

1987.CITY ARTS CENTRE EDINBURGH. SCOTLAND.

OCT/NOV.

1987. CITY ART GALLERY DUNDEE. SCOTLAND.

NOV.87/JAN 1988. CITY ART GALLERY. SWANSEA.WALES.

FEB/MAR. APR/MAY

1988. CITY ART GALLERY. STIRLING. SCOTLAND

. 1988. COVENTRY CITY LIBRARIES. 1988. ISLINGTON LIBRARIES.LONDON.

JUNE.

1988 THE COOPER GALLERY. BARNSLEY. YORKS.

JULY/AUG.

1989. LLANTARNAM GRANGE ARTS CENTRE. CWMBRAN. 1989. THE LONG GALLERY, NORTHERN COLLEGE,

FEBRUARY.

MARCH.

WENTWORTH HOUSE, STAINBOROUGH, BARNSLEY. APRIL/MAY. 1989. THE INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM. BRADFORD. YORKS.

SCOTLAND.

SEPTEMBER 1989. CIVIC CENTRE, SPORTS CENTRE, THEATRE, AND

NOVEMBER. 1989. SUMMERLEES HERITAGE CENTRE. COATBRIDGE,

ARTS CENTRES, SWINDON.WILTSHIRE.

MARCH 1990. OXFORD TOWN HALL, MUSEUM, AND LIBRARY.

SEPTEMBER 1990. ABERGAVENNY MUSEUM, BUILDINGS. AND OTHER PUBLIC

IN THE PLANNING STAGES BRIGHTON, LEICESTER, NOTTINGHAM, CLEVELAND, LIVERPOOL AND BIRMINGHAM.

I provide a valuation and conservation advice service to organisations.

Since 1986 I have organised and carried out projects, for Bristol City Council, Leamington Spa Womens Groups, Battersea Labour Party, Liverpool AND Manchester Childcare Workers, Coventry Trades Council, the Museum of Labour

History, Liverpool. British Banners and American Ribbon the Textiles Festival Bradford April 1900. pieces on show at

In November 1989 I worked on a Civic to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of Basildon, and in and 1990 A project Community College. Liverpool. Community Project the new town of with Rotunda

In November 1988 I went on a research and lecture tour to Chicago and Milwaukee, U.S.A.

The American Embroidery Exhibition has been on show at The Pankhurst Centre Manchester, Shrewsbury Abbey and various conferences, church events and rallies and was on display in the House of Commons from February 17th 23rd.1990.

I arranged sponsorship for Justine Merritt from Grand Junction, Colarado, the originator of the Ribbon Project to visit Britain and open the exhibition at the House of Commons and I arranged a week of public platforms for her at meetings in CAMBRIDGE, BASILDON, SUTTON, BRISTOL, ABERYSTWYTH, BANGOR AND BEXLEY HEATH. The Ribbon Exhibition at The House of Commons was Featured on T.V. Wales at Westminster.

The Ribbon Exhibition will be at:

The Smith Art Gallery, Stirling. SCOTLAND. August 17th – Sept 2nd. 1990.

Coleg Harlech. N.Wales. October 5TH 19TH 1990. I am negotiating a lecture tour and exhibitions with various Colleges and Galleries in Australia.

March 1989, Artist in Residence at the International Conference of the National Association for the Teachers of English, at the the University College of Swansea.

In 1987 and 1989 I was a speaker at the International Banner Makers Conferences at the Polytechnic in Huddersfield and St Johns College. York.

We are negotiating a major commission with Northern College, Wentworth Castle, Barnsley, and with Bradford University, and with Bradford University Dept of Peace Studies.

We are consultants to Trades Unions, we advise on the conservation of their artefacts.

Our extensive artistic and politcal archives are being deposited with the National Library of Wales, preliminary discussions on organising a Welsh version of my exhibition 100 YEARS OF WOMENS BANNERS, in the Gallery at the National Library Aberystwyth, have taken place this would use material from my extensive documentary collection in the National Library and material from other museums in Wales.

I HAVE RESEARCHED PRODUCED AND EDITED EXHIBITION CATALOGUES, WRITTEN PRESS RELEASES, AND PRODUCED POSTERS.

I HAVE USED MATERIAL AND EXHIBITS FROM MUSEUMS, GALLERIES, ARCHIVES, ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL COLLECTIONS

FOR MY EXHIBITIONS. IN THIS COUNTRY AND ABROAD. I HAVE RESEARCHED, RAISED

FUNDS, AND SPONSORSHIP, FOR THESE EXHIBITIONS. I HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWED ON LOCAL AND NATIONAL RADIO AND T.V.. WOMANS HOUR, AND CURRENT AFFAIRS AND NEWS PROGRAMMES.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE EXHIBITION WITH CITY GALLERIES, COUNCILS, AND ART CENTRES, I HAVE ORGANISED EVENTS WITH NATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL, AND LOCAL SPEAKERS.THESE EVENTS WITH POETRY, SONGS AND REFRESHMENTS HAVE ATTRACTED AS MANY AS 800 PEOPLE.

ON SCOTTISH T.V. POOTAGE OF MY WORK HAS BEEN USED IN A RECENT QUIZ SHOW, AND ON “LEFT RIGHT AND CENTER”.

THE EVENTS AT THE EXHIBITION IN COATBRIDGE WERE SHOWN IN THE NATIONAL T.V. PROGRAMME ON GLASGOW 1990.

I HAVE OTHER POTENTIALLY POPULAR TOPICAL GENERAL THEME EXHIBITIONS IN THE RESEARCH AND PLANNING STAGE.

100 YEARS OF WOMENS BANNERS.

Exhibition items borrowed from..

The Aberystwyth Museum.

Newport Museum. South Wales.

The South Wales Miners Library. Swansea.

Manchester City Libraries . The Tolson Museum. Huddersfield.

The Cooper Gallery. Barnsley.

Cooperative Womens Guild, National Offices in Scotland

and England.

The Cooperative Retail Services London. Branches of the Cooperative Movement.

Cyfartha Castle Museum. Merthyr Tydfil

The Peoples Palace. Glasgow.

Huntley House Museum. Edinburgh..

The Fawcett Library, London.

The Peace Pledge Union.

The Womens Institute

The Towns Womens Guild.

Also from Trade unions, Community Sewing Groups, Churches, other organisations and individuals.

OCTOBER 1989.

SCHOOLS OFFICES FACTORIES

PLEASTN AND wish

COAD RAIL AIR SEA WATOY

The Supremacy of Capital: A Fundamental Challenge in the Era of #ClimateChaos

In today’s world, the supremacy of capital stands as a pillar holding up our societies and institutions. This assertion, though seemingly simple, carries implications for our understanding of power dynamics, economic structures, and the urgent need for change in the face of #climatecrisis. This encapsulates a recognition that economic interests, particularly those of capitalists and corporations, wield immense influence over all aspects of human life.

Firstly, let us look into the idea of the supremacy of capital. At its core, this term speaks to the authority held by an ideological “class” holding money and wealth in our globalized society. It reflects economic imperatives that take precedence over social, environmental, and ethical considerations. In this paradigm, profit maximization becomes the objective, driving decision-making at individual, corporate, and governmental levels. As a result, we witness the consolidation of power and wealth in the hands of a few, while vast segments of society are left marginalized and disenfranchised.

The influence of capital extends beyond economic realms, permeating into the fabric of our social and cultural bodies, we can feel this in liberal ideology. Which is traditionally associated with notions of individual freedom, free markets, and limited government intervention, but with #neoliberalism becoming entwined with the supremacy of capital, every context, liberal economic policies prioritize the interests of corporations and the wealthy, reinforcing existing power structures.

The supremacy of capital is not a neutral or uncontested phenomenon. Instead, it is underpinned by a religiose adherence to certain beliefs and ideologies that serve to uphold the status quo. This religiosity manifests in a dogmatic acceptance of capitalist principles, often to the detriment of alternative worldviews and dissenting voices. It fosters a culture of unquestioning obedience to market forces and economic growth, even in the face of mounting evidence of their adverse impacts on society and the environment.

The urgency of addressing the supremacy of capital is underscored by the existential threat of #climatechange. The hashtag #Climatechaos serves as a poignant reminder of the chaotic and disruptive effects of global warming on our planet. From extreme weather events to biodiversity loss and rising sea levels, the consequences of climate change are already being felt across the globe. Yet, capital continues to impede meaningful action on this front, as short-term profit motives take precedence over long-term sustainability and resilience.

In light of these challenges, the principle of #KISS – Keep It Simple, Stupid – offers a clarion call for action. It urges us to confront the fundamental issue at hand: the dominance of capital in our societies. While the solution to this complex problem may not be simple or straightforward, acknowledging its existence is the crucial first step towards effecting change. We must challenge the religiose reverence for capital and advocate for alternative economic models that prioritize people and the planet over profit.

In conclusion, the supremacy of capital stands as a challenge in the era of #climatechaos. By understanding and addressing this, we can pave the way for a more sustainable future. It is past time to break free from the shackles of capitalist ideology and forge a path towards a world where the well-being of humanity and the environment takes precedence over corporate interests #KISS

OMN – improving the tech landscape

A “native” path to composting the tech mess lies in understanding and addressing the underlying issues. A breakdown of a social tech path:

  • Explore Relevant #OMN Hashtags: Look into hashtags like #geekproblem and #fashernista to find discussions and insights that address the problems you’re facing. These hashtags can provide valuable perspectives and solutions if you use them based on collective experience.
  • Investigate OGB: Check out the URL https://hamishcampbell.com/outreaching-the-ogb-what-is-the-project/ with #OGB (Open Governance Body) to access project descriptions and learn about initiatives aimed at addressing the challenges you are encountering. While the coding site may be temporarily down, the project descriptions can still offer valuable insights.
  • Understand the 4opens: Familiarize yourself with the concept of , which serves as a framework for addressing many of the issues present in the tech ecosystem. The 4opens provide principles for building more open, transparent, and inclusive digital platforms.

By delving into these #OMN resources and frameworks, you gain a deeper understanding of the issues and discover pathways toward solutions. Collaborating with others who share goals and values amplifies the impact of efforts in improving the tech landscape.

And please “don’t be a prat” thanks.

People in activism

In the coming era of #climatechaos the problem of #mainstreaming thinking and people will become a MUCH bigger issue that we need to mediate. The “common sense” they often bring is the #deathcult a strong problem we do need to do something with, the #NGO crew and “activists” who worship this cult.

There is also the issue that needs mediating of the parasitic activists who push #fahernista paths in the grassroots movements. These guys are BAD friends, there are a lot of them. They are “native” being a part of the tribe, in this it’s a question of balance to take a good path.

OK, what more can we say on this?

The mess we keep making of #FOSS governance

It’s disheartening to see a community platform like #Trustroots https://trustroots.org facing challenges with governance, with issues and tensions among its contributors https://github.com/trustroots-community/trustrots/issues?q= and here https://trustroots.community/ This situation is messy and underscores the importance of establishing healthy governance practices within community-driven projects to ensure their long-term sustainability and effectiveness.

The case of Trustroots alongside the earlier issue of #CouchSurfing are a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of traditional feudalistic #FOSS foundation/ #NGO models for open-source projects. These models may initially foster collaboration and innovation, but easily become susceptible to internal conflicts and power struggles over time.

The #OGB (Open Governance Body) is an alternative approach rooted in a grassroot and inclusive history and ethos. By embracing “producer” sortation, decentralized decision-making and community-led initiatives, projects like #OGB aim to avoid the pitfalls associated with hierarchical governance structures https://hamishcampbell.com/?s=OGB

Examining case studies like Trustroots and CouchSurfing offer insights into the complexities, and outcomes, of managing community platforms and the importance of fostering transparent, inclusive, and participatory governance to sustain healthy and thriving communities.

We can’t keep making this same mess.

A conversation that circles

Too often I find my self in conversations that revolve around the intersection of technology and social issues, with one view emphasizing the importance of practical solutions to real-world problems, while the other highlights the underlying social dynamics that shape technological landscapes these “solutions” are often supposed to be addressing.

The first prioritize pragmatic immediate problem-solving, expressing a preference for concrete solutions to specific issues rather than what they see as abstract or philosophical discussions. They are dismissive of broader social critiques, such as the thinking that contemporary code is influenced by capitalist structures and the easy “solution” is likely actually the problem.

The second argues that technological problems are inherently intertwined with social factors. That understanding the human and social dimensions of technology is essential for effective problem-solving in this path. And that avoiding this is a problem, likely a #geekproblem

Overall, this conversation touches upon the complex relationship between technology and society, highlighting differing perspectives on how to approach and address challenges in these paths. We need to move action past this mess making to make more change and challenge real.

https://opencollective.com/open-media-network

Reminder about the hashtag family

A breakdown of the #OMN hashtags and how they are typically used as a social change and challenge project that we need:

  1. #dotcons: This hashtag refers to corporate centralized platforms, such as social media networks, that prioritize profit and control over users, data and content. It’s often used in discussions about the negative effects of centralization on the internet and the importance of decentralization.
  2. #fashernista: This hashtag combines “fashion” and “lifestyle” and is used to criticize trends or behaviours that promote #mainstreaming unthinking consumerist paths, behaver and ideas in popular and counter culture.
  3. #stupidindividualism: This hashtag critiques the current use of the ideology of individualism, which prioritizes individual gain and ignores collective well-being. It’s often used to highlight the negative effects of prioritizing individual interests over those of society as a whole.
  4. #neoliberalism: Neoliberalism is an economic and political ideology that emphasizes free-market capitalism, deregulation, privatization, and limited government intervention. This hashtag is used in discussions about the effects of neoliberal policies on society, such as income inequality and the erosion of public services.
  5. #deathcult: This hashtag is used metaphorically to describe neoliberal ideologies that prioritize profit and power over human well-being, environmental sustainability and social justice. It’s frequently associated with critiques of #climatechaos capitalism, consumerism, and imperialism, its the mess we live in today.
  6. #NGO: This stands for “Non-Governmental Organization” and refers to non-profit organizations that operate independently of government control. This hashtag is used in discussions #mainstreaming roles of NGOs and people who think like NGO’s in not being brave enough to address social, environmental, and humanitarian issues.

And on the positive side:

  1. #openweb: This hashtag celebrates the principles of openness, decentralization, and inclusivity on the internet. It’s often used in discussions about the importance of preserving and promoting a “native” open and accessible web for everyone. This is #web01
  2. : This hashtag is used to promote transparency, collaboration, and community-driven development in software and technology projects. It should be used to JUDGE projects.

Each of these hashtags serves as a shorthand for broader discussions and concepts, allowing people to participate in and contribute to conversations around these topics on the #openweb and inside the #dotcons it’s about linking.

#KISS

Should we ban TikTok

The #dotcons are about ideological control (advertising) of information for profit, #TikTok is likely one of the most advanced on this path.

Whether to ban TikTok is part of the #mainstreaming mess and significant within the wider context of the move back to the #openweb

Some considerations:

  1. Impact on Ideological Control: TikTok, like other #dotcons social media platforms, shapes public discourse and pushes #neoliberal and #stupidindividualism ideological agenda and control. Banning #TikTok could disrupt the control exerted by centralized platforms over the flow of information and content moderation policies. However, it’s essential to consider whether banning TikTok is the most effective way to address concerns about ideological control, as users will mostly simply migrate to other #dotcons with the same issues.
  2. Privacy and Data Control: TikTok faces scrutiny over its data practices and ties to the Chinese government, raising concerns about privacy and data security. This is a normal issue with any state bound #dotcons. Banning TikTok might address these concerns by limiting the collection and dissemination of user data to the replacement state, the USA. However, it’s important to explore alternative measures, such as regulatory oversight and requirements, to protect user data without resorting to a ban.
  3. Innovation and Competition: Banning TikTok could stifle innovation and competition in the #dotcons, limiting the diversity of #techshit platforms available to users. This has implications for content creators, influencers, and businesses that rely on TikTok for outreach and monetizable engagement. Instead of a ban, maybe fostering competition and growing alternative, decentralized platforms (like the #Fediverse) would promote innovation and diversity in the social media ecosystem in a better way?
  4. Freedom of Expression: Banning TikTok raises concerns about freedom of expression, as it restricts digital surfs ability to share content and engage with others slaves on the platform. While TikTok faces criticism for its content moderation practices, outright banning the platform may not be an appropriate solution. Instead, data portability and interoperability as combined efforts would address harmful content and promote healthy online discourse, thus focus on regulatory measures and community-driven initiatives rather than a ban.
  5. Broader Societal Implications: Banning TikTok could have broader societal implications, particularly for younger generations who are active users of the platform. It’s important to consider the social and cultural significance of TikTok as a platform for #fashernista creativity, self-expression, and community-building. Efforts to mitigate potential harms associated with TikTok should prioritize education, digital literacy, and awareness-raising initiatives of real alternatives rather than simply national propaganda agender.

In conclusion, whether to ban TikTok involves weighing concerns about ideological control, interoperability, privacy, innovation, freedom of expression, and wider social implications. While banning TikTok may address some of these concerns, alternative approaches, such as , regulatory oversight, #openweb competition promotion, and community-driven initiatives, would likely ensure a more balanced and effective response.

We need to move past these illogical gatekeepers.