We Are Not Alone
| Date: | Written on July 26, 201 |
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| Author: | imw |
There have been some very exciting developments during the time that we were migrating servers. Several new organizations have come onto the free network scene, and I'd like to tell you about them now. The first such organization is called RedesLibres, and is based primarily in Latin America. I came accross them on the FreedomBox list, where one member posted an English translation of a document they call a Free Networks Manifesto. I responded, and we're now working on integrating our manifestos, and hopefully translating the Free Network Definition into Spanish. There are free networks in formation the world over — it is only a matter of time until we find a way to work together, and the MIND goes global.
Speaking of going global, it looks like I'll be going to Germany next month. Chaos Communications Camp takes place every four years, and is a gathering for hackers and associated life-forms. This year, it's in Finowfurt, Germany, and a hacker by the came of gmc is giving a talk call A Modern Manifest of Cyberspace. It's a call to arms, related to the intermesh project, which is essentially another name for the MIND – a cooperatively owned and operated, global federation of mesh networks. I've gotten in touch with gmc, and I'm hoping that he'll let me participate in the talk. Even if not, it will be worth it to go to CCC, meet a bunch of hackers, and see if we can't get people riled up about the idea of a network that's owned by nobody and everybody at the same time.
Finally, there's FabFi, who have gotten a good deal of press lately for their incredible work in Afghanistan and Kenya. They're building high-throughput, long range mesh networks using off the shelf and recycled components. They're teaching people how to do so for themselves in the process. Indeed, it was a Fabfi node pictured in the NY Times article about liberation technology. I've reached out to FabFi, and I'm waiting to hear back, but there's no question that the technology and its implications are profoundly exciting.
I'll keep you all posted as more and more initiatives aligned with the aims of the Free Network Movement come into view. I'm also hoping to post in the next couple of days some extended thoughts on Nodal hardware. Otherwise, we're about to start a fundraising campaign so that I can get to Germany. Please stay tuned.
take care,
always,
imw