Friend:
Not even close. I get the 1970s reference now, and I get the connection
between the homeless and recycling. I think it makes a lot of sense to
look to the FreeGeek model for inspiration, too. Is there anything going
on at Tx/Rx that looks like FreeGeek? What about organizations that
address part of the problem, like Compucycle and Compudopt? Where are
the gaps in Houston's network of partners and what's needed to make your
vision real?
Randy:
Tx/Rx is more like Pumping Station: One than FreeGeek Chicago yet still there $$$ model is based on offering classes and shared maker space for small $$. FreeGeek is based on being respectful of anyone coming in the door, recycling, refurbishing and reselling electronics loaded with freelibre software with a special interest group committed to open source civic hacking all also bringing in $$. Compucycle seems to be the same model but within a company instead of an NFP so of course not anyone can just walk in and start learning and helping. Compudopt, more like Willow Creek Computer Connections, except that schools / students are the main beneficiaries. My vision would be that there would be a university committed to freelibre and open software and hardware as well as zero waste and a minimal carbon footprint. I hear pieces of committment to these ideals all throughout Houston until it hits folks that they have to eat and then either fear sets in, an irrational fear that says helping cancer patients will expose your family to cancer or that helping the homeless or other disenfranchised groups will cause you to be disenfranchised. Bacon's You not you Friend Then I hear things like never do anything for free or that it is all fine and good to talk ideologically but don't try to do it, or that HR concerns trump transparency. Yes we can hack and get out the data. When I was at Exxon a freightening parlour trick I could do was guess a persons salary within a few thousand dollars except for the few who were independently rich. It would certainly be nice if they just gave us the data though. I think there fear is that HR issues are indeed rampant and that an accurate picture of financial discrimination and pension dangers will be presented.
Hi Randy, Friend here.
ReplyDeleteRegarding a freecycle-like concept, my approach would be to work with tx/rx, compucycle, compudopt, Houston Public Library, etc. to define that underserved market. A 501c3 like Tx/Rx could incubate it as a project to see if it has legs.
Regarding open data hurdles, I agree. As an outsider to that process, I'm also in the dark about so much that goes on. I can't help but be suspicious when I know that the vast majority of this data is mundane, routine stuff (but still insightful). Anyone fighting the "inch" of open data has many miles of something to protect.
Or a 501c3 already committed to Open Houston?
ReplyDeleteFailing that since most of these orgs and corps are running full blast in a parallel direction a new 501c3 or a coop corp.
ReplyDeleteThe HPL research would give numbers but since I have been out on the street, bus, rail, Y, libraries and churches of Houston for over forty years the numbers would be for those who have not.
ReplyDelete