ivor and olive lewis on wed 22 feb 12
Fifty years out of date, just a reinvention of an already fixed wheel. When
it comes to the recent history of our calling it is easy to forget the
pioneering work of Harry Davis and Michael Cardew.
"Open Source" seems to be anti-establishment and anti-capitalist in
political character. Or am I just misreading the meaning of the term.
All the best,
Ivor Lewis,
REDHILL,
South Australia
Greg Relaford on wed 22 feb 12
A great observation and question. I'm in the middle of reading Craftsman by
Richard Sennett, and he goes into some detail into the relationship between
what is now called 'Open Source' and artisan, craft and technology work.
The history is thousands of years, and predates capitalism. It's a complex
history, and I'm still digesting the text.
Still, I have been using and following open source software for nearly two
decades. The politics and philosophy seems to run the gamut. I wouldn't
describe many as conservative, but probably (almost) none as communist.
There is a substantial set of businesses based on open source technology.
I was attracted to the open source model because of the lively and (mostly)
intelligent discussions online. Very like what I read here.
It is very strongly a culture of merit and respect for work and the quality
of arguments. No slackers and fakers get respect for long.
I'm going to check out Harry Davis and Michael Cardew....Just looked
through the Wikipedia posts about them.
- Greg Relaford
On Tue, Feb 21, 2012 at 11:07 PM, ivor and olive lewis <
iandol@westnet.com.au> wrote:
> Fifty years out of date, just a reinvention of an already fixed wheel. Wh=
en
> it comes to the recent history of our calling it is easy to forget the
> pioneering work of Harry Davis and Michael Cardew.
> "Open Source" seems to be anti-establishment and anti-capitalist in
> political character. Or am I just misreading the meaning of the term.
> All the best,
> Ivor Lewis,
> REDHILL,
> South Australia
>
Steve Slatin on wed 22 feb 12
And before Capitalism, there were secret methodolgies and processes,=3D0Aon=
e =3D
of the results of which was hundreds of years of alchemical efforts=3D0Atha=
t =3D
didn't add up to much actual knowledge.=3D0A=3D0AThe rise of the guilds in =
abou=3D
t 1300 CE or so was in part a means of=3D0Asharing knowledge while keeping =
se=3D
crets.=3DA0 (Antecedents to the guilds=3D0Ago back thousands of years.=3DA0=
I kno=3D
w little of these older institutions.)=3D0A=3D0AAn important point about op=
en s=3D
ource activities is that often it is =3D0Aconsidered acceptable -- even des=
ir=3D
able -- to make intellectually=3D0Aprotected products on top of an open sou=
rc=3D
e base.=3DA0 For this reason=3D0AI do not agree with some that open source =
is "=3D
anti-Capitalism."=3D0A=3D0AThe Jakubowski material is extremely interesting=
in =3D
that he is supporting=3D0Ahis efforts with donations and then freely distri=
bu=3D
ting his products.=3DA0 As=3D0Afor the idea that it's old technology, I'd p=
oint=3D
out that mechanically=3D0Adriven vehicles go back to the 1670's -- to an e=
xt=3D
ent even the newest=3D0Atractor or automobile is ancient technology.=3DA0 I=
t mi=3D
ght be better neither=3D0Ato dismiss the effort as old technology nor to pr=
ai=3D
se it as a 'civilization=3D0Aon a CD.'=3D0A=3D0AThe Jakubowski idea is to t=
ake pi=3D
les of materials that are readily =3D0Aavailable in modern society -- pre-c=
ut=3D
, measured, pre-drilled 4x4"=3D0Asteel pipe, intechangable hydraulic fittin=
gs=3D
, etc. -- and assemble them=3D0Ain re-imagined low-cost formats.=3D0A=3D0A(=
I have=3D
a lawn-tractor with a drop-down mower deck, and a shredder/=3D0Achipper, a=
nd=3D
a week whacker and a mini-tiller.=3DA0 None gets more than=3D0A50 hours a =
year=3D
of run time.=3DA0 What's smart about that?=3DA0 The lawn-tractor=3D0Aitese=
lf is =3D
shaped like a 'real' tractor.=3DA0 From the '50's.=3DA0 It's smoothly=3D0As=
haped =3D
(pointless) but if I roll it (possible) it'll crush my legs.=3DA0 The=3D0AJ=
akub=3D
owski design is like a huge roll-cage -- and has a wide stance --=3D0Aand a=
t=3D
rack system that's better than wheels for getting through mud,=3D0Aetc. -- =
it=3D
's not just a useful design, it's arguably better than=3DA0a standard=3D0At=
ract=3D
or.)=3D0A=3D0AOpen sourcing things encourages people to think in this way -=
- wh=3D
at's=3D0Areally important to them in the device they want, and what's the b=
es=3D
t=3D0Away to get there -- and that's always desirable.=3DA0=3D0ASteve Slati=
n -- =3D
=3D0A=3D0A=3D0AN48.0886450=3D0AW123.1420482=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A_________________=
______________=3D
_=3D0A=3D0A=3D0AA great observation and question. I'm in the middle of read=
ing Cr=3D
aftsman by=3D0ARichard Sennett, and he goes into some detail into the relat=
io=3D
nship between=3D0Awhat is now called 'Open Source' and artisan, craft and t=
ec=3D
hnology work.=3D0AThe history is thousands of years, and predates capitalis=
m.=3D
It's a complex=3D0Ahistory, and I'm still digesting the text.
ivor and olive lewis on thu 23 feb 12
Dear Greg,
Thanks for your response.
I am looking forward to getting the Clayart Digest over the next few =3D
days. Could be a lively debate.
Yes, I have delved into open source programs.
Library day tomorrow. Will order the Richard Sennet on ILL.
Regards,
Ivor=3D20
Linda white on thu 23 feb 12
There's a terrific science fiction novel called "Makers" by Cory =3D
Doctorow that explores issues that are raised by open source technology. =
=3D
Highly recommended.
Linda White
LickHaven Pottery
On Feb 22, 2012, at 5:18 PM, Greg Relaford wrote:
> A great observation and question. I'm in the middle of reading =3D
Craftsman by
> Richard Sennett, and he goes into some detail into the relationship =3D
between
> what is now called 'Open Source' and artisan, craft and technology =3D
work.
> The history is thousands of years, and predates capitalism. It's a =3D
complex
> history, and I'm still digesting the text.
>=3D20
> Still, I have been using and following open source software for nearly =
=3D
two
> decades. The politics and philosophy seems to run the gamut. I =3D
wouldn't
> describe many as conservative, but probably (almost) none as =3D
communist.
> There is a substantial set of businesses based on open source =3D
technology.
>=3D20
> I was attracted to the open source model because of the lively and =3D
(mostly)
> intelligent discussions online. Very like what I read here.
>=3D20
> It is very strongly a culture of merit and respect for work and the =3D
quality
> of arguments. No slackers and fakers get respect for long.
>=3D20
> I'm going to check out Harry Davis and Michael Cardew....Just looked
> through the Wikipedia posts about them.
>=3D20
> - Greg Relaford
>=3D20
>=3D20
> On Tue, Feb 21, 2012 at 11:07 PM, ivor and olive lewis <
> iandol@westnet.com.au> wrote:
>=3D20
>> Fifty years out of date, just a reinvention of an already fixed =3D
wheel. When
>> it comes to the recent history of our calling it is easy to forget =3D
the
>> pioneering work of Harry Davis and Michael Cardew.
>> "Open Source" seems to be anti-establishment and anti-capitalist in
>> political character. Or am I just misreading the meaning of the term.
>> All the best,
>> Ivor Lewis,
>> REDHILL,
>> South Australia
>>=3D20
Greg Relaford on thu 23 feb 12
I love that book! For the first few pages I thought it was non-fiction. The
central themes do a great job exploring the philosophical, the economic,
the personal, and the potential. The technology is pretty close to what can
be done right now.
-GregR
On Feb 23, 2012 7:04 AM, "Linda white" wrote:
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