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Total revolution/revolution week.

Strange Machine Vs The Virus with Shoes

23:46 / 07.09.02

What I propose is that, for a week, Barbalith is given over to the subject of revolution and social change.
I belive this would produce many beneficial results;

This site might gain some direction in terms of revolutionary ideology. It can highlight the differences of belief on the site, and form a structure around them.

Become a voice in the world. The MSN (Mexico solidarity network) is looking for volunteers from the international community solidarity groups, to send people to Chiapas. What if barbelith was one of the groups that are considered?

Barbelith could become the front line of revolutionary discourse.

The reason I propose a revolution week is to push the envelope of revolutionary theory.

This site is a breeding ground for ideas and memetic evolution. I believe a focused emphasis on social change could propel this site into the next stage of evolution. A place, not only of discussion, but of action. Pushing against the boundaries

Of course I could just post a lot about revolution, but I think this would initiate views for, or against, my point of view.

A revolution week would, hopefully, let members express their feelings on the subject, without distraction.

Our Lady of The Two Towers

09:18 / 08.09.02

Yes, we could start threads along the lines of 'why don't u luzers ever do anything revolutionary rather than just talkin' 'bout it?'

Why would 'Barbelith' have to do anything? If you want to help the Chiapas go and do it yourself. I'll cheer you on while working for a living.

And explain to me what all other forums except the Head Shop and the Switchboard do during your revolution week? And why do you seem scared of posting revolution stuff anyway? A revolution week isn't going to stop anyone who doesn't like something you post from posting it.

Solitaire Rose as Tom Servo

11:01 / 08.09.02

I think that is a great idea. Start your own board and have at it.

Here, however, I think we already have a bunch of very nice discussions going, and most of us would prefer not to be told what to post and what not to post.

Revolution is great, but if you don't have a plan for what comes next, it's all a bunch of old hippie talk...and the old hippies are all running corporations now.

15:15 / 08.09.02

Panarchy, the best idea is just to start the threads you want. I am sure loads of people would join in without a special week being announced.

The idea of sending someone to Chiapas sounds great though. Why don't you start a thread in the switchboard about it.

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

19:27 / 08.09.02

We are indeed crying out for that kind of thing in the Switchboard.

20:58 / 08.09.02

Hey, Panarchy, I've been meaning to ask you: are you a fireman?

21:36 / 08.09.02

Frankly I'm disappointed in all of you. Why on earth shouldn't we look at what we're doing, choose a subject and debate it over all the fora. I'd love to get people here thinking thoroughly about something. I'd love to get (even for a short time) a bit of focus in here.

04:45 / 09.09.02

I think you'll just discourage people from talking. "You say you want a revolution, well, we all want to change your head." Or something like that. You can't force this kind of thing, folks.

15:59 / 09.09.02

Well, what if the topic was more defined?

Our Lady of The Two Towers

16:15 / 09.09.02

Tom; WTF? I would have expected you to give the 'why don't you start these threads?' response. I haven't seen anyone against the idea per se, just questioning Pan's methods. When you consider that only 4 out of 13 forums would necessarily be ideal I think the proposal needs to be looked at. I am dubious about having a Revolutionary Week as such, like some sort of Rag Week at school, but would be more than happy to get involved in some discussions on the board.

18:23 / 09.09.02

I agree with Pan and Tom. I think "themes" would be a good idea, add a bit of focus. It's not like anyone would have to discuss them, or be restricted. If nobody was interested then it would die a natural death.

It would be a good idea to have "theme leaders" who would each undertake to post X threads on the topic.

Perhaps "revolution" is a bit too broad, but perhaps not. It might seem most appropriate to the Switchboard but it can be applied to everywhere else as well, in context.

18:24 / 09.09.02

um, Qalyn...
Actually, it's "You say you want a revolution,
well, you know, we all want to change the world."
and
"You say you'll change the constitution, well, you know, we all want to change your head."

Don't really know that this matters to your point, but it wasn't what the Beatles said, anyway.

Frankly I'm disappointed in all of you. Why on earth shouldn't we look at what we're doing, choose a subject and debate it over all the fora.
We fear change, Tom. That's really all there is to it. Build yourself a new ficsuit, and try proposing any change in Barbelith. It doesn't much matter what you say.

18:36 / 09.09.02

basically, what you're trying to say is, we're part of the problem not part of the solution, aren't we? aren't we? yes, we do suck like that

Our Lady of The Two Towers

18:37 / 09.09.02

{Sudden thought} Now, if Tom were able to set up a new temporary 'Super-Discussions' forum, like the 9-11 forum, which after, say, two or three weeks was shut down and the contents moved into the Switchboard or something, this idea might have merit.

20:19 / 09.09.02

We could do that...

Strange Machine Vs The Virus with Shoes

21:51 / 09.09.02

I wasn’t proposing that everybody must discuss revolution in all forums. I was thinking more along the lines of a suggestion that might encourage people to think about the subject from different angles and with more focus.
I think focus is a key word here, I believe that concentrated focus on a subject can produce a lot more than occasional focus on a subject over an undefined time period.
I think it is an interesting concept to discuss and if it doesn’t work it doesn’t work, but it would be interesting to find out.
A temporary forum sounds like a good idea and may be more practical than having topics dotted all over the site.

Jack Fear: No (I’m not sure it works in cyberspace and may rely on a deadpan/blasé delivery)

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

09:08 / 10.09.02

When you put it like that, Pan, it does seem to make sense. On reading the initial post, my mind inexplicably became filled with the phrase "And it's Shark Week on the Discovery Channel"... though I must admit, Lada's "Super-Discussion Forum" idea sounds cool. The 9-11 one worked a treat, at least until relevant discussion had migrated back to its various parts of the board. But as a focus, yeah, that was good. (Not to mention, in that particular case, an invaluable source of information).

A specifically-themed forum whose theme changed every couple of weeks could be a damn good idea... if the discussion was going well, it would (I hope) inevitably continue in the various pre-existing fora once the theme had changed... if it wasn't, hey, another theme'll be along soon...

Actually, just typing this, I'm starting to think that would be a fucking amazing idea.

Tryphena Absent

02:33 / 14.09.02

Revolution's actually a very broad topic- it applies everywhere: major scientific changes (I've got my Kuhn hat on for those who know what that means), music and revolutionary books, new styles of performance, who's created a revolution in film? If you're going to create a major change in thought these things probably need to be covered first.