Group 3 Summary:
MFPL Breakout Group Notes
5 Big Ideas
1- MFMT positions itself as accompanying these organizations and creates a Cornonavirus section that comprehensively provides WFH resources
2- MFMT should also highlight which tech giants are getting rich off this pandemic and offer alternative technology solutions
3- MFMT can host a conversation/convening to coordinate programming and political conversations to ensure we’re on the right path (e.g. conversations beyond MFMT).
4- Toolkit or guide for working ‘remotely’ or going through this transition if in a low-tech environment, tech desert, or without reliable bandwidth, etc…
5- What advocacy can we do both in the US and internationally around internet access. Some of the emergency resources are preferencing people with internet access (e.g. resource lists/sites; applying for aid; etc)
6- Organizers need to get their communities on the same digital platform? Ideally with a single interface and sign-on.
Experiences:
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zoombombing
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jitsi meter https://ladatano.partidopirata.com.ar/jitsimeter/
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issues with MFMT email delivery/delay
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issues with MFMT jitsi instance
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“we’re lucky we don’t depend on corporations to provide service to us”
how can we continue to grow phychologically and socially in this context
one org reduced working hours
one org is offering psychosocial support
#empresascontache is helping advance labor rights
public information has been reduced in this time
impact of working from home (divided attention/priorities)
interest in supporting folks holistically; understanding if folks are projecting support issues accutely might just mirror the social uncertainty
folks returning to core organizing methods
lots of corporate tools are being used
how can our tech support this next wave of movement building
Misc
The issues we’re dealing with now, are not new or due directly to COVID19.
This is an awful time for people to try to work (speaking as someone who was ill with the virus). MF vision is a left vision, how can we work within this capitalist model, while moving towards a better world.
Tools are important but we’re seeing some of our tools - Jitsi for example - often doesn’t meet the needs to replace corporate tools such as Zoom, etc… These tools have strong competition. Mutual Aid for example in the US is using Twilio (SMS service), integrating with slack, air table, google sheets. None of this is configured in a secure way. A lot of our technology use is being done out of urgency right now and not in a systems design workflow. Ex: one group had google sheet edit that caused their SMS workflow to crash. Took days to find and fix issue.
Some orgs/companies allowing unlimited sick time, taking care of humans, many are not. How do we take these human models and make sure they are spread far and wide.
A report-back noted that we can educate using digital means and challenge formal institutions. YES we can. Participatory production of knowledge. Descriptions of practices that are known to work. A library of solidarity economy practice? Taught in mutual teaching/learning study pods. Backed up by text/video chat - Mattermost, Loomio, Mastodon?
This used to be called ‘organic intellectual’ production. never more important than now.
Not a quick fix, a long haul, across generations. Build for durability and comprehensiveness (not tech durability so much as durable frame on the content of the teaching - secured through evolutionary mechanisms, living documents and living participatory P2P practices). But maybe start with ‘first aid’? On a platform of federated FLOSS tools that is already working , not built from scratch. NextCloud? Cloudron/Digital Life? How does MayFirst toolset compare with these? So the apps federate well?
Other Big Ideas:
1) How can MF become a hub for online meeting facilitations? Not just tools-based, but more holistically (best practices, tips, etc..)
2) Specific campaign website for all things related to COVID19 could be a nice initiative. How to incorporate folx not part of MF?