p2p-research July 25, 2010

Hi MicheI

Thanks for pointing to Alexander R. Galloway's Position Paper "Exploring New Configurations for Network Politics" http://www.networkpolitics.org/request-for-comments/alexander-r-galloways-position-paper I read it with interest. I respond to it from a personal perspective that has much to do with Internet enabled networking (and little to do with the technical intricacies of the Internet and computer protocols and so on). Maybe I should really have responded directly to his blog - but I'm not registered there yet so it was easier to just respond directly to your post and on dadamac's posterous for now.

I offer a few observations from the viewpoint of one who values the Internet for its opportunities for cross cultural collaboration. I am  intrigued by the challenge of making it truly inclusive. I have been working practically on many of these issues during the past ten years in projects that use the Internet to enable collaboration between UK and people in rural Nigeria, and similar locations (even when the Internet itself does not reach to their locations). In this email I will not attempt to explain my thinking - but will simply headline some issues, wondering what others are thinking.

• In theory the Internet enables a neutral equal meeting place - and many of us are enjoying the opportunity to meet there and be included in ways that were previously not possible. 
• There are many issues around meeting as equals in this "neutral" space.
  • Physical and financial equality of access to the technology - distance from access points, cost of use.
  • Technical/training equality in ease of use - ability to use the equipment.
  • Equipment equality regarding bandwidth, processing speed, displays etc.
  • Cultural behavioural differences - cultural hierarchies and acceptable ways of joining in a conversation - showing respect through keeping quiet etc.
  • Language differences - the advantage of people using their preferred language.
  • Literacy issues - the inclusion of people whose culture is spoken, not written.
  • Cultural differences around the same words - specialist jargon words used with a different meaning in general speech, words summoning up a different picture in different countries - "a good road" "a family" "the local community" "schools" "the power supply" "the shops" "the library" "the government" "the police" and so on.
• When "top-down" opens up communication with "bottom-up" this is not a free flow of information as it is not between equals - it is just an add-on to an existing unequal system
• It is only when top-down and bottom-up structures and perceptions shift, so that information flows equally between people who have equal respect for each other, that we can move towards equality (imagine a top down diagram - then a 90 degree shift - then equal exchange).
• It is important to be aware of every single barrier and to try to ensure steps are taken to overcome it.

I'd be interested to hear the views and experiences of others related to these issues. (I am not able to read all the P2P posts, but will try to follow this thread)

Pamela