[Dfey-nw-discuss] [Fwd: Free Culture Society sent you a message on Facebook...]

[Tim Dobson]

Hey Everyone,

I wondered what people thought about this:

Manchester Free Culture Society is a student run society which at the 
moment appears to be soley based on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=190893819841

I've just recieved this email and wondered what people's thoughts were...

I'm really happy about the first two points but when libertarianism 
reaches the issue of drugs I personally get very uncomfortable. 
Personally I find the issue too far away from technology and a bit 
irrelevant to free culture.

In addition I feel the issue is a bit too controversial to make it easy 
to push other less radical points. It doesn't look good on us if as a 
young people orientated, technology related group if we were associated 
with a Hippie/Drug reform pressure group. It gives the reasons behind 
"Students For Sensible Drug Policy" but I think DFEY, in particulars, 
strengths, lie in being solely about *Digital Freedom*.

Not so long again, the treasurer of the UK Pirate Party wrote an article 
on his PPUK blog explaining how he supported calls to increase 
censorship. The PPUK member base, unsurprisingly pissed off by a 
non-political officer voicing political points of view, not only 
irrelevant to the groups aims but also fairly damaging to the public 
perception of the party, almost tore the newly formed group in two. 
Obviously, pissing people off like that isn't a good idea! At PPUK it 
was subsequently agreed that they would stick to their central single 
issue (copyright reform) though everyone was of course enttled to their 
own (personal) points of view and an apology was given.

Anyway, so whilst I'm extremely excited about the first two points, I'm 
increasingly concerned that Free Culture Society Manchester is getting 
increasingly convoluted and it is fairly unclear what it's aims are.

I don't know what other people think..

Tim

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Free Culture Society sent you a message on Facebook...
Date:   Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:53:53 -0800
From:   Facebook <address@hidden>
Reply-To:       noreply <address@hidden>
To:     Tim Dobson <address@hidden>



Luke Taylor sent a message to the members of Free Culture Society.

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Subject: Our magazine, drugs and raves

Hi everyone!

Some great news:

1) The Free Culture Society is now the co-producer of "b&n" magazine. They have 
agreed to shift all their content to creative commons.

The theme for the next edition is "The 90's" (interpret this how you like!) to 
submit an article email: address@hidden

2) The Open Video Alliance have given us quite a lot of money to help host Lessig's 
upcoming "wireside chat". We will spend it on literature, art and popcorn.

3) The Free Culture Society are now the official sponsors of Students For 
Sensible Drug Policy. Here is their *beautiful* (free) periodical: 
http://www.facebook.com/l/e7488;www.umsu.manchester.ac.uk/ssdp/war-on-people.pdf
Here is their fb group: (invite your friends!)
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Students-for-Sensible-Drug-Policy-UK/244398943968?v=info&ref=ts

4) Still reading? I am set on throwing a big "unFestival" nearer to the end of 
the year with crazee user generated content. There are also a few artsy work-shops and 
films nights we are planning to do.

I've had suggestions of free "underground" raves, mass-participation art 
projects and a semi-improvised play on the black panthers' struggle for freedom. Post on 
the wall what you think.
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