A Call to Convergences on Technology and Revolution
The problems the human race faces pose the greatest threat to its existence in history.
If we can use the technology we have appropriately, plan and develop it intelligently and control it democratically, we can solve those problems.
Now what?
Technology and Revolution
The threat we face is enormous. The response to it has been over-whelming. The need for fundamental social change is unquestionable. The potential for that change is unprecedented.
This is a time to start looking forward at our next steps: a time to start talking about what we have in common, what we can do together, what kind of common strategy we can develop.
For decades, that has proven difficult. While our movements are vibrant and committed and most of us sympathize with and support the work others are doing, unified action has proven tough to organize. In fact, thinking about the future (even the near future) in a unified way is something we haven’t been able to do.
Maybe we should start by talking about what we have in common: our belief in fundamental change and our reliance on and development of technology. Maybe we need to start talking about the relationship between change and technology and how that relationship affects the practical and political work we are doing.
We think that’s worth exploring. So…
We are calling on the movement (our own members and beyond) to get together in convergences all over the country to talk about Technology and Revolution.
Goals
The Context
And technology transformed us in another important way: for the first time, our ability to create a society we want surpasses our imagination of what kind of society that can be. For the first time in human history, we can realize more than we can imagine and the struggle is to expand, not our capabilities, but our imaginations.
We at May First/People Link are a technology organization of the Left and we feel a particular responsibility to contribute to our movement’s addressing of these issues.
The Convergences
We are asking you to join us in organizing a series of convergences to address these issues.
There is no requisite format to a convergence. It can be comprised of a group of individuals (even a group of friends) or a “summit” of organizational representatives or both. A convergence can last two hours or as much as a full day.
What makes it “official” is that the convergence organizers let us know it is taking place before it actually happens; includes at least one techie in the group; posts a report on their conversations on our website; and identify, to the national organizing team, participants names and email.
We are building a convergence site (to register and report back), reading lists, sample agendas, discussion guides, software tips for fighting surveillance and other resources to help you plan and carry out a convergence
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