[Imc-uk-network] the uk indy "elite"?!

[javier at spc.org]

hi there

I am only spesking for myself here. I think the suggestion to scrap the UK
site is very problematic, and that before moving in any direction we have
to look at the process that created the current situation.

There was a small international group in London that maintained a "UK
site", and we made very conscious efforts for years to try to decentralise
the site to make it really a UK thing. It was very difficult for
individuals outside London to get involved, and for collectives as well.
The UK network made it possible to open new pages for cities much easier
than through ther global process, it helped those without tech skills, and
allowed for individuals to find other interested people in their areas.
Many issues we can solve through physical meetings, instead of those
endless email process nightmares that prove how difficult it is to try to
run a global network like this by decentralisation and consensus.

Obviously, we are in another moment now, with many local collectives
feeling strong, even to the point of wanting their own site. However,
there is still a majority of UK population without a local site, and we
yet have to see a local media experiment (Sheffield being the closer we
have) that makes you go completely like wow, that´s the way. I dont think
any of the proposed changes by themselves would have any impact on local
improvements. A lot of the work has nothing to do with computers and all
to do with legwork, and this is not any acrimony.

Everyone is free to associate as they wish, and this discussion is good in
any case and there are already separate UK sites and we could do much
more. I just feel that any effort to decentralise more should be
accompanied by a parallel effort to improve the context network. It is
very true that since we started the UK network, and partly a European
network, we have lost a lot of touch with the global indymedia.

ciao, javi