4 ms·
The vibe and high described here feels really familiar. I'm involved in civic tech organizing -- communities of engaged citizens (yes tech, but also activists,
by patcon 5y ago
The vibe and high described here feels really familiar.
I'm involved in civic tech organizing -- communities of engaged citizens (yes tech, but also activists, public servants, lawyers, designs, and any engaged residents) who get together every week (usually in person) to pitch and work on continuing civic initiatives at "civic hacknights". Often these efforts involve some tech, but it's not a rule they must.
On a good night, it's electric: some guy who's a construction foreman might join a group working on supporting emergency shelters, led by an amorphous group of whom its unclear who's leading and who's "volunteering". (There are some white dudes, but not ALL white dudes.) Maybe they've been visiting emergency shelters doing interviews, and some projects even lure some folks with experience in the problem domain (i.e. living on the street) to take on meaningful roles and learn.
I have a hope that someday all civic action will have analogous citizen projects to complement official efforts, both intersecting in unexpected ways. Unexpected like, we've had public servants come out of their government day jobs to "launder" code into the community, meaning another community member takes over the codebase, while the staff goes back into city government to spend down some political capital in "liberating" some data to drive "that new community app that sprung up" (air quotes).
On the good days, it feels a little bit like this article conveys, and I can kinda feel the leading edge of what a future civics might be, once government is truly built openly and is more permeable to the citizenry <3
- bigyikes 5y ago> There are some white dudes, but not ALL white dudes Can you clarify what this statement means?
- ikurei 5y agoI understood it as a contrast with the wider tech world, where most people, and specially most people leading, are white males.
- pkos98 5y agoEspecially in tech hubs in the US, there are approx. as many Asian as White people. So don't think this interpretation would make sense?
- weird-eye-issue 5y agoIt's not just white guys
- Jorengarenar 5y agoMaybe white- and blue-collar?
- barry-cotter 5y agoSome people think that race is the most important thing about a person so they make sure to mention race in every situation.
- minitoar 5y agoHow can you tell that OP is a person that thinks race is the most important thing about a person?
- bmn__ 5y agoIt's an analogue to the "how can you tell someone is a vegan" trope.
- cocoricamo 5y agoIt's the same for crossfit and vapers. For reference I vape, but don't go telling... wait... damn.
- minitoar 5y agoSo the implication is that one who talks about race “too much” is a racist?
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- layoutIfNeeded 5y agoIt’s an American thing. I think it’s best to just let it slide…
- Clampower 5y agoNo, this needs to be called out as the obvious racism it is as this mentality is slowly infiltrating the European tech sector.
- ignoramceisblis 5y agoWhen white dudes do good things, like supporting emergency shelters when their working-class lives are not otherwise consuming them, we get to take them for granted. Talk down about them. It's okay. In fact, it's all the rage. Don't worry, not ALL of the people doing the things we want done are white dudes. Your experience with our club will not be ruined by the presence of this lower caste. Pay little mind to them. In fact, pay them little, in general. Join us. You'll feel good about yourself.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]