The Geeks for Social Change Podcast will be returning this year, and I (Ben) have been tasked with making it come to life.
I'm keen to hear from you about what you'd like to hear in our podcast, especially if you really disagree with anything above.
I hope to hear from you, and vice versa!
Why Don't You?
I hope you do make a podcast – but with the same wariness I keep in my pocket when I hope a friend gets a dog:
I hope you do, if it is right for you to do so!
You can see the whole article, with more on left/right politics of podcasting, here: gfsc.community/why-bother-m...
Someone else is already making the podcast you want to exist, but they get it all wrong! So you make yours out of spite!
Weird reason, but valid! It's an amazing prompt for any kind of art, and it means you go into it with clarity, energy and drive.
Just, don't let that be your only reason!
What if you can't make it regularly!
That doesn't stop some podcasts I know, which come out infrequently, but are always welcome.
It takes time and energy to make podcast and if you're only going to make two episodes, you might find there's a better distribution method than a podcast.
What if you have nothing to say?Style without content is hollow.
However, do you really ‘have nothing to say’? This ranks alongside ‘I'm not very talented’ and ‘I can't act’. I don't buy it!
If you have an ounce of care for the people of this world, you have something to say.
It's hard to get listeners. Everybody and their dog has a podcast already.
If you make one and nobody listens, you may feel you're shouting into the void.
Or maybe you'll take promotion as seriously as planning, recording and editing, and work to get this podcast in people's ears!
Are you persuaded yet? If so, let's hear a few reasons why you *shouldn't* make a podcast (with a side helping of ‘but maybe’ because there's still hope in this world).
Or perhaps you need to spread a truth!
There is a burning truth. You know it, and if people could only hear it, they'd grasp it, and the whole world would be better.
Be careful with this one. It can come across a bit intense, and people don't always take to ideas how we expect.
The aboslutely best reason to make a podcast: there's a podcast you'd love to listen to, but it doesn't exist yet.
There is something important missing from the world. You need it, and you intend to do something about it!
(This is also why people write novels, make fan art, and make indie games).
Podcasts can be heard around the world, and cost the listener nothing.
In the past, it was street preachers, them pamphlets, then zines you could make at home, or with library facilities.
Podcasts are like zines, except they have theme tunes are regional accents.
We can change things by talking to people and listening to people. At least, in theory.
Speech is older than writing, and a lot easier too.
Few of us are excited to write pages of prose, but most of us, if the setting is comfortable, can talk with gusto.
So if you have something to say, why not?
Why Bother Making a Podcast?
Anyone could make a podcast, but why would you want to?
An in-depth look at the reasons for and against making podcasts as political, creative and social force.
gfsc.community/why-bother-m...
...or you can read the main points in the next few posts
Villainy.
Our community is doing important work, across a wide diversity of projects.
If you'd like to support us with donations, whether one-off or ongoing, it would significantly increase our ability to support the community and many of the projects discussed here. gfsc.community/support-us/
Folks who responded are working on a wide diversity of projects.
If you'd like to support us with donations, whether one-off or ongoing, it would significantly increase our ability to support many of the projects discussed here.
See the fulll piece at gfsc.community/what-our-com...
What we’re taking from this:
• Our community is doing important work, mostly alone, mostly unfunded.
• People don’t want better apps – they want better relationships
• The gap between values and tools is a real problem.
• We need to keep showing up. The drop-ins, the Discord, the newsletter...
What people want from GFSC
• Resources to help move away from surveillance capitalism technology:
• Community building, using PlaceCal, involving more orgs and areas.
• Technology that tips the balance away from mega-corps and back into the hands of communities
• In-person events and gatherings
What people are anxious about
• Fascism & the far right: the rise of authoritarianism, transphobia, & the erosion of privacy.
• AI and the weakening of critical thinking
• Money and survival: income, chronic underemployment, the self-employment grind, the lack of a social safety net
• Isolation!
What people wish existed
• A community CRM
• DIY toolkits for common tech problems
• A viable open-source encrypted alternative to Discord
• Technology that organisations own rather than renting tech from corporations
• Tools that “feel easier and more joyful”
Tech concerns:
• Privacy and surveillance. Particularly concerning when you’re building tools for vulnerable communities.
• Platform dependency. We're stuck on platforms we distrust because employers use them.
• Distraction & overwhelm.
• AI is everywhere, but wanted nowhere.
We asked everyone what change they’re personally trying to make right now:
• Community building and connection. That includes collectivism and mutual aid.
• Queer liberation & trans rights!
• Divesting from big tech. It's hard to escape, but not impossible.
• Surviving!
High anxiety, signs of hope, queer rights & freedom from big tech's clutches! Here's what our community told us:
A look at the responses to our supporter survey, asking about the projects, obstacles, concerns & opportunities
Read on, or see a full piece on the blog - gfsc.community/what-our-com...
What people wish existed
• A community CRM
• DIY toolkits for common tech problems
• A viable open-source encrypted alternative to Discord
• Technology that organisations own rather than renting tech from corporations
• Tools that “feel easier and more joyful”
Tech concerns:
• Privacy and surveillance. Particularly concerning when you’re building tools for vulnerable communities.
• Platform dependency. We're stuck on platforms we distrust because employers use them.
• Distraction & overwhelm.
• AI is everywhere, but wanted nowhere.
We asked everyone what change they’re personally trying to make right now:
• Community building and connection. That includes collectivism and mutual aid.
• Queer liberation & trans rights!
• Divesting from big tech. It's hard to escape, but not impossible.
• Surviving!
Oops - we forgot to link the blog post! gfsc.community/whats-happen...
Oh and if you're a visual learner we have you covered! www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUY9...
PlaceCal uses the Community Technology Partnership approach:
working with local groups to understand what they already use, and connecting them to shared infrastructure
Try PlaceCal now:
• manchester.placecal.org
• transdimension.uk
• queerleeds.lgbt
And find us at gfsc.community
PlaceCal is designed to work anywhere: any combination of place and interest.
The platform is open source, the data model is flexible, and the approach is well documented and replicable.
PlaceCal started in Manchester, growing out of the Manchester Age Friendly Neighbourhoods programme.
The research showed what we’ve heard everywhere since: people felt isolated, thought nothing was going on, and were stunned when we showed them how much was actually happening nearby.
