What you are reading is a first draft proposal written mainly by one person (Sprite) with only a little outside input so far. It is doubtless full of errors, inconsinstencies, and in some cases redundant. I am hoping to get lots of feedback from others so that it can be added to, edited, and developed into a nice, beautiful proposal that will lead to actual organizing and ultimately to a social revolution by oh, say christmas. So get to work, kidz!
In the wake of the split in the Love & Rage Network, we see the chance for a truly decentralized, bottom-up, organic network for communication & mutual aid. To a large extent, this network, however small and scattered, already exists and functions. We would like to see it become more organized, and develop into a full spiderweb of interconnected autonomous groups.
Much of our ideas for this proposal are based on the European Counter Network (ECN), the Spinnennetz, the Infoshop Network, and your average activist phone tree. For more info on these, we suggest contacting the 56a Infoshop (ECN)/56a Crampton Rd./London SE 17/UK, or reading the article in Clash #8 on Spinnennetz and the article in Slingshot #48 on Infoshops.
This proposal for the actual organization of this network is
really rather simple, and is based on a few assumptions:
1) Electronic networking (e-mail, bbs's, irc's, etc.) is
currently the quickest and easiest means for communication and
the transfer of news & information, altho all mediums (...)
should be used.
2) the current situation of the N. American
anarchist/autonomist/anti-auth. movement is that there are
several regions that pretty much have their shit together (NY,
Philly, Twin Cities, SF, Chicago, Toronto, etc. etc.) and for a
network to start, the seed would best be planted in those areas,
where it can grow and stretch out to others.
There so many reasons such an infoexchange is desirable...
1) To provide an alternative media, which would counter the lies
and illusions of the capitalist media. To create a forum for our
own voices and analyses to be heard, debated, and acted upon.
2) To break down the isolation, to promote communication, so that
small, poorly-financed, or regionally isolated groups can still
participate fully in the movement and connect with all other
areas of the movement.
3) To encourage solidarity work and mutual aid. Today's
technological advances allow quick transmission of data, thus
allowing us to react promptly and be increasingly effective.
4) The exchange of information produces consequences.
Infoexchange helps create alternative communication structures
and promotes a mutual learning effect where we can draw from each
other's experiences as well as develop internal dialogue for
change.
5) Data communication supports personal communication.
Interaction will help unify our movement as well as draw us
closer to each other personally.
To create a network of communication, using all available means: electronic/e-mail/bbs's, phone, fax, mail, infoshops, pirate radio/tv, papers, hotlines, etc. This network would be decentralized, non-hierarchical, non-partisan, and dedicated to the exchange of information.
To start:
1) We get together at least one
collective/infoshop/group/whatever in each currently active area
who will take up responsibility as a communication-info-exchange
node/nexus/crosspoint (Node) for their area. These Node groups
will preferably be groups that have access to internet as well as
other resources that would allow them to transfer info to and
from many groups.
The Node groups will basically serve as an exchange point. They will keep contact (lists) with all their local area groups, as well as all the other Nodes. Likewise, local groups will keep contact primarily with their area Node, but also the other Nodes.
The functioning is rather simple: Say a local group has an incident where they want other groups all over to take action on that week. They either contact all nodes across the land, if they have the resources, or if they don't, they take it to their area Node, who transmit it to the other Nodes for them. When Node X (an example) at the other end of the continent gets the info, they disseminate it to their local area groups, using all means appropriate & necessary. The other Nodes do likewise. Thus, info gets out to all groups in contact with the web fairly quickly, and without a lot of work by one group.
o Contact lists should be kept by all the Node groups that list their local groups and what mediums of communication they have access to.
o Node groups should have internet access, because at the present time it is the easiest & fastest way to transfer info. This will help accelerate the pace of solidarity/mutual aid work, as well as making the transfer less of a burden. If possible, Nodes should have more than one internet account.
o When Node groups disseminate info, they should utilize all the appropriate mediums. Of course, this will also depend on the specific Node group and what resources they have.
o A primary focus on disseminating info should be given to other groups that will help spread the info further. For example, pirate radio/tv, frequently published papers, infoshops, hotline numbers, etc.
o There are basically 3 aspects to disseminating info. First, there is time-sensitive info, usually solidarity work, that needs to be gotten out in a quick way (phone banking, faxing, etc.). Then there's regular news that can go out in periodic updates (papers, zines, flyers, mailings, free radio/tv, hotlines). Then there's having space where people can come and find information (infoshops, archives, bbs's).
o The Node groups and their contact numbers should be distributed widely, to as many groups as possible. Not only will this increase the amount of news/info fed into the network, but it will provide local groups with the info necessary to contact other Nodes should their area Node fall apart, suffer from repression, or act discriminatorily. Thus the elimination or inapppropriate actions of one Node will not be debilitating to the web, as the rest of the structure will fill in the gap.
o Obviously, there is going to be a large burden taken up by Node groups. They should not take up the responsibility lightly. For obvious reasons, groups that already have info-exchange apparati in place, like groups that publish papers, etc. would be best suited for the job. However, as these groups are usually overburdened already, an option is for a less busy group who wants to take up the Node responsibility using the facilitities that more resourced groups have. This might make things a bit crowded and hectic in some places, but the leeching group could also focus on developing the resources of the group they leech from, or otherwise develop a symbiotic relationship.
o A lot of hoopla gets made about developing National Projects, on the supposition that such projects will be stronger and more effective when supported nationally. While this is true, it is also true that such projects tend to detract significantly from work done on the local level. This network, once enacted, will hopefully solve this problem. Instead of focusing on National Projects, calls can be put out over the Web, which will undoubtedly be taken up by groups so inclined all over. The beauty of this is that each locale will work on the call/project as much as they see fit. Coalitions can be built, actions done, etc., all on the level that local group want to put into it.
o The idea of a national/continental anarchist paper has also been raised often, one which would report on and be a resource for the entire @ movement, yet it is my opinion that at this time such a project is too ambitious, both because our movement is so small and because papers are an incredible work-money effort. Considering also that there are already several @ papers with a local bent but national+ distribution (WCF, Slingshot, Profane, 5th Estate, Shadow, to name a few), it also seems unnecessary. I would rather we encourage nodes or other local groups to develop similar publications for their area.... Consider also that such papers can be posted in electronic form and widely distributed to other Nodes.
o Some people feel that networks like this should be based on a mutual set of agreed upon principles. Again, i feel that because we are starting with groups that do agree on basic things like self-management, non-hierarchy, anti-capitalism, etc., that the network will organically reach out to other like-minded groups. Thus any formal statements of principle, political statements, etc. ad nauseum, can be chucked out the door.
o There is, of course, the danger that Node groups will not be impartial in their dealings with other groups. To a certain extant, this cannot be avoided, and is a struggle to be dealt with at the local level. However, it is important that this should not become a hindrance to the network, and so bypasses are needed. First and foremost, is that each group in the network know of and have contact with other Node groups. Secondly, this kind of divisive and sectarian behavior should be actively struggled against, and pressure should be brought upon those groups that act in this manner.
o The interconnectedness is also beneficial, not only as a bypass, but also in the case of groups breaking up, slowing down, or facing repression. Their absence will be taken up and filled by other parts of the web.
o It is hopeful that this network would extend beyond @ groups to other autonomist, anti-authoritarian, and non-authoritarian groupings. Frankly, this kind of diversity can only serve to liven up the variety of input and bounce more ideas off of each other, not to mention sharing of experiences, thus leading towards more change and understanding of each other. Some people fear that this openness will lead to infiltration and disruption by authoritarian groups and the like. However, considering that no group in the Network should (theoretically) ever develop too much power (as long as groups remain interconnected), and that disruptive elements can be easily bypassed, or even pressured by other network groups into changing or else...this should not be a problem. I actually see the network naturally just connecting @/a-a/non-a groups because those groups gravitate towards each other, so authoritarian groups should not often be a problem.
o This network, unlike a national organization, should not detract from a local emphasis. In fact, it should actually aid in the development of counter-institutions, as it will support both infoexchange and mutual aid, without taking away time & energy from local work.
o A major focus of this network should be on expansion. First, the areas that are not covered by the web need to be reached, helped into developing their own institutions, and brought into the network. Second, an effort needs to be made to get the info out of the activist ghetto, to jane & joe average on the street. This outreach could fall as a task to be taken up by the infoshops, free radio/tv, papers, etc. It is a crucial aspect that should not be glossed over.
o This ties in with another focus i feel this network should have: creating counter-institutions. Obviously, the network itself is all about creating an alternative & oppositional media, but i feel it should also work towards helping the development of community-based counter-institutions, particularly infoshops/community centers, but also all other areas that are both helpful & essential: medical, food, housing/shelter, clothing, cooperative work, transportation, education, childcare, etc. etc. This stems from my philosophy that info & theory & education help alter people's mindsets, but usually only actual EXPERIENCE causes people to change themselves radically, which is what we need. I feel we need to work on developing counter- institutions that will reach out to people and give them those experiences (collective work, mutual aid, self-determination, non-hierarchy, etc. etc.).
o To facilitate the growth and change of this network, it has been suggested that yearly conferences/gatherings could help bring it together. However, i feel that considering the area we are covering and restraints that keep people from travelling far, regional gatherings would be more democratic and productive, and they already go on anyway! Also, Node groups, since they have internet access, can regularly conference via IRCs, or other internet mediums (MUDs, etc.)
o In terms of info-exchange, a clear source and time-effect for information is important as the context of the info's source is invaluable in deciding how to react to/integrate it, and the time restraints in organizing solidarity/aid are crucial.
o Exchange is encouraged to be as personal as possible. Rather than recreating the capitalist media, which produces info for consumption, we want the info to have a consequence. Thus we want to promote the exchange of ideas about long-term perspectives and actions like discussion papers, background info, theoretical works, and political/practical education.
o While we use computers because of their effectiveness, we must be clear about the problems they pose: privacy, hacking, lack of personal creativity/expression in computer text, all the way to the seperation of concepts from reality.
o A good form for reports is like this:
1) Background: story of politics and practices of group.
2) Situation: political and tactical concept of action/event,
expectations.
3) The Event: what happened, where & when, what didn't happen,
details, expectations fulfilled or not.
4) Reaction: how to react? own activities, expectation to the
audience.
5) Consequences: discussions that followed, other events
6) Practical Info
7) Future Perspective
o Security is also an issue, and security precautions should always be taken, especially in terms of phone and mail contact. Encryption (pgp) should be used when appropriate for electronic transactions (and pgp keys should be verified!).
o Another goal for the network could be the establishing of autonomous electronic info-mediums, such as bbs's. Quite a few underground bbs's today are linked together into their own small nets. An autonomous info-net, complete with bbs's linked to infoshops linked to papers and pirate radio-tv would just give me orgasms.
o We would of course, need some kinda hot sexy name for this network-web-linkage thang. "Spiderweb" is too cheesy for us. The only other suggestion so far is "the Matrix". yeah, we're goofy cyberpunx, so there.
So to get this network going, we need to start by having several groups volunteer to be Nodes for their areas. If necessary, we can come up with some sort of validation procedure, like getting endorsed by 10 local groups or some such. Anyways, once we have groups who will be Nodes, they need to start developing contact lists as well as ties with their local groups (gee, imagine that!). Then, as info comes out, the exchange should begin, and i figure it will develop organically from there.
A major hurdle we face is expanding the web into areas that are currently "dead". Most areas just need some impetus to get a little more organized. Hopefully once an area is contacted and jacked into the info-web, the flow of info-ideas will help spark some action & development...but we might need to think farther than this.
One suggestion is to re-inact the early 1900s Wobbly program of sending out organizers into areas that are ripe for things to happen. These organizers would move in, and for a long time (several months), just get accustomed to the situation. Listen & observe. Then, when they have a solid grasp on things, they get involved, and start organizing. When things are standing on their own feet in the area, they pack up and move on. Obviously, a long-term project not to be taken lightly. And this is just one idea...
All in all, this network will be what we make of it. It can only function if many different political groups and collectives take part in its structure. We have an opportunity to create a healthy, living, network organism that can unite us and support our interaction while retaining our autonomy. It's all up to us.
We hope to hear criticisms and ideas people have. Please direct your comments to us by one of these mediums: c/o WCF, P.O.Box 81961, Chicago, IL 60681, U$A (312) 455-0707 (fax also available, call first) email: thak@midway.uchicago.edu