http://www.socialspaces.org Social Spaces Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:00:07 +0000 http://www.socialspaces.org en http://www.socialspaces.org/587610/ http://www.socialspaces.org/587610/ Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:00:07 +0000 Social Spaces 587610 <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/8539/587610/sharing lab blog post.jpg" border="0" width="640" height="489" align="left" /> The Community Sharing Lab is a participatory art exhibition concept designed to initiate a public conversation about sharing (objects, resources, talents, time, skills, community goodwill) and highlight the current level of human and material resource waste at local level, that could be used to build connected communities. The Community Sharing Lab can serve as an initial project in an empty shop that could lead to the development of further community focused social spaces for sharing, learning and making. The exhibition concept is aimed to include a range of activities and events to highlight sharing, learning and making. Some possible ideas for interactive exhibition pieces could include: + Equipment Sharing A start of a managed sharing scheme... + Skills Inventory A Community Skills Inventory “I can…” + Skills Exchange A Skills Exchange. “I can…. And I would like to offer ? hours to help someone” + Art/Cultural demonstrations and workshops Arranged by volunteers and organisers and the public. + Sharing Food Events Social events such as Sharing Sunday Breakfasts and Intergenerational teas. + Remixing Community Models Materials will be available for making metaphorical objects which represent ways the community can re-create new types of community with materials and resources which already exist in the community. Please see the Power of 8 exhibition weekend for a brilliant example of this. + Sharing Website An online social network could be created during the exhibition and visitors will be encouraged to join the social network on the spot. This could include further links to 'sharing circles' on Ecomodo. + Sharing Cultural Local Stories Exploring the cultural life of the University through an analogue Twitter board. + Idea Zine Ideas for projects in the community could be collected during the exhibition and published into a booklet or zine for distribution locally and through the new sharing online network after the exhibition. The first Community Sharing Lab was designed at a workshop at the University of Surrey in February 2010 with a group of students for their Multicultural Commons Day on campus. Please contact Tessy Britton for more information. <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/8539/587610/community sharing lab2.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="268" align="left" /> <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/8539/587610/community sharing lab.jpg" border="0" width="482" height="325" align="left" /> http://www.socialspaces.org/587610/ http://www.socialspaces.org/586827/ http://www.socialspaces.org/586827/ Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:26:19 +0000 Social Spaces 586827 <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/8539/586827/empty shops.jpg" border="0" width="640" height="384" align="left" /> You want to create new types of social spaces... and see empty shops, buildings, pubs and office spaces everywhere. How do you start to make use of those spaces and claim them for community projects? There are a number of very helpful organisations and networks trying to make the processes and conversations easier. 1. The Asset Transfer Unit Very inspiring case studies on their website - and video introduction below. "The Asset Transfer Unit helps to empower local people and organisations to transform land and buildings into vibrant community spaces whilst supporting the development of a thriving third sector. We are the leading provider of expert advice, guidance and support concerning the transfer of under-used land and buildings from the public sector to community ownership and management - helping organisations to develop those assets and deliver long-term social, economic and environmental benefits." 2. Space Makers Founded by Dougland Hine, a contributor to the Hand Made book, the Space Makers Network has over 708 member who are sharing new experience, processes and expertise as it emerges. 3. Meanwhile Space "Meanwhile Space CIC supports individuals and organisations to bring buildings and land that has become temporarily redundant into constructive use. Meanwhile Space works with landlords, landowners, developers and local authorities to relieve them temporarily of liabilities (insurance, rates, security etc.) associated with holding redundant shops, offices, cleared land whilst an appropriate commercial solution is being sought." 4. Artists and Makers Founded by Dan Thompson this group incorporates the Empty Shops Network and offers information, advice and guidance on making use of empty shops. "It is also home to the Empty Shops Network, promoting creative reuse of the nation's empty shops. Helping to create a DIY Movement, the Empty Shops Network shares resources like the Empty Shops Toolkit to help artists and entrepreneurs to reclaim their high streets and turn private spaces into public places." 5. Pub is the Hub "Pub is the Hub is the only national advisory body working directly with licensees, and linking up with both private and public sector partners, to support rural regeneration objectives. Pub is the Hub acts as a catalyst to encourage rural licensees and communities to work together in support of their local needs, being concerned with the retention or return of services felt essential to their area.` Pub is the Hub has also assisted village communities acting as co-operatives, who have bought their own local to ensure it is retained as a services centre for the local area." http://www.socialspaces.org/586827/ http://www.socialspaces.org/578571/-NEW-BOOK-OUT-JAN-2011 http://www.socialspaces.org/578571/-NEW-BOOK-OUT-JAN-2011 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:42:59 +0000 Social Spaces 578571 The second Hand Made book is currently being made and will be published in January 2011! http://www.socialspaces.org/578571/-NEW-BOOK-OUT-JAN-2011 http://www.socialspaces.org/556963/Follow-the-Pantry http://www.socialspaces.org/556963/Follow-the-Pantry Sun, 08 Aug 2010 17:06:05 +0000 Social Spaces 556963 MAP UPDATED 4 SEPTEMBER This list includes some dates being held but not yet confirmed. Full details of each workshop will be posted when all the details are finalised - including booking details for workshops that are open to the public. Follow the Travelling Pantry on Twitter Please contact Tessy Britton for any enquiries. We are taking bookings for free workshops January - March 2011 - REQUEST A TRAVELLING PANTRY WORKSHOP <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/8539/556963/Travelling Pantry Map2.jpg" border="0" width="640" height="480" align="left" /> http://www.socialspaces.org/556963/Follow-the-Pantry http://www.socialspaces.org/509396/Projects-We-Support http://www.socialspaces.org/509396/Projects-We-Support Tue, 03 Aug 2010 19:22:42 +0000 Social Spaces 509396 <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/8539/509396/who we support.jpg" border="0" width="640" height="453" align="left" /> <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/8539/509396/who we support3.jpg" border="0" width="640" height="522" align="left" /> http://www.socialspaces.org/509396/Projects-We-Support http://www.socialspaces.org/543685/ http://www.socialspaces.org/543685/ Sun, 01 Aug 2010 11:39:14 +0000 Social Spaces 543685 <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/8539/543685/socialbysocial.jpg" border="0" width="465" height="81" align="left" /> Social by Social is a practical guide to using new technologies to create social impact. It makes accessible the tools you need to engage a community, offer services, scale up activities and sustain projects. Whoever you are, it shows you how to take technology and turn it into real world benefits. Social by Social can be downloaded for free or bought in hard copy on their website. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE SOCIAL BY SOCIAL PROPOSITIONS Our collaborative manifesto for successful social by social projects By Andy Gibson, David Wilcox and Amy Sample Ward We believe that there are some common principles and guidelines that underpin all the successful projects we’ve seen, and which might be applied to all ‘social by social’ projects. We have framed these as Propositions, a set of rules, tips and things to remember along the way. This is a new field – so there are no simple recipes. We hope that the Propositions below will be triggers for a fresh round of conversation about what works, what doesn’t, and what is common to all this work and can be shared by all of us. What follows is in fact the second public draft of these propositions. We offered up our initial 45 propositions to public scrutiny in April 2009. Thanks to everyone who picked their favourites and suggested categories and structures for organising them. In the end we’ve plumped for Al Robertson’s ‘3-Act Structure’, which seemed to make sense of them in a messy, human sort of way. ACT I 1. Give up on the illusion of control. In a networked world, organisations can no longer control what people think or say about them. If you’re worried, get involved. 2. People make technology matter. Think about mindset, language and skills before you think about tools, features and screen designs. Don’t jump for the tool. 3. People want control. If you give them tools for taking more control of their lives, they will pay you back in attention, support, promotion and even hard cash. 4. Never assume, always ask. You can’t know what your community wants from you without asking, and they are waiting to be asked. Be specific, define the issue and let the answers pour in. Then be transparent about your next moves. 5. Go where people are. Experienced users have plenty of existing places already, and newcomers are difficult to recruit. Go to them and engage them on their terms. 6. Respect how they choose to communicate. Some will write, others will take pictures or make movies. Most prefer questions and conversations to tedious reports and ‘consultations’. 7. Content is king. Providing great content – resources, information, stories, connections, conversations – means new users will find you and others will stick with you. Give people easy ways to share this content too, freely and openly. 8. Learn to listen before you start talking. Good conversations require good listeners more than good talkers. Listen first to find out what people want to hear. 9. Be consistent. Whatever you say in public, remember you are talking to everyone, all the time, so stay true to your principles. 10. The world is a noisy place. Respect people’s time and contribution, and be direct, open and honest to get their attention. 11. All energy is good energy. If people are taking the time to criticise you, they are already engaged. Listen to their concerns and find ways to bring them in. 12. Know your limits. Technologies can solve information problems, organise communities and publish behaviours, but they can’t deliver food or care for the sick. ACT II 13. You can’t learn to fly by watching the pilot. If you want to understand new technologies, start using them. Dive in. 14. Start small. It’s always better to build too little than too much. Beware of specifying costly systems until you are absolutely familiar with the tools and know how people would use them. 15. Start at the top. Get the boss blogging or talking on film. 16. Keep it simple. Every time you add a feature to your toolset, you make the existing features harder to use, and exclude more people. 17. Keep it messy. Design to create conversations, gossip and coincidences, not to organise information. If everything’s neat and tidy, it’s because no-one’s there. 18. Keep it sociable. If you want action, leave room for social interactions and personal stuff, not just worthy, productive topics. Playful, human interactions build trust. 19. Keep your powder dry. Set aside as much money for design, copy and user testing, and as much for marketing and community engagement, as you do for software and hardware. 20. Be a pirate. There’s so much free stuff out there just waiting for you. Make use of what others have shared and save your energies for what you’re best at. 21. Don’t centralise, aggregate. Do you really need data centralisation? Well do you? Use lots of disconnected free and cheap tools and then pull the content together into a central branded location. 22. In user-centred design, everyone is right. Design for who your users really are, not how you’d like them to be. Evolve systems with the people who will use them, and respect their criticisms. 23. Choose your words carefully. Get the language right and use copy sensitively and sparingly, or you can quickly put people off. 24. Eat your own dogfood. You can’t influence the community if you aren’t in it. Besides, if you aren’t using your own services, why would anyone else? 25. Don’t forget the tables and chairs. If you want people to communicate or collaborate online, bring them together face-to-face too. ACT III 26. Expect the unexpected. Develop tactically, evolving as you go, and find cheap ways to try your ideas out in real situations before committing precious resources. 27. Be a good host. Make people feel comfortable, then get out of the way. 28. Follow the leaders. Support the early adopters rather than chasing the sceptics, and they will become your evangelists. And attitude beats ability when tools are cheap and easy. 29. Be realistic about who will create content. It’s about the same proportion as put their hands up at question time, so learn how to create good invitations and small, actionable opportunities. 30. Your users own the platform. If they really do own it, they will use it, trust it, help sustain it, find ways to improve it; if they don’t, no amount of ‘marketing’ will help. 31. Empowerment is unconditional.Telling people what they can and can’t do with their platform is like an electricity company restricting what its power can be used for. 32. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. The more you open things up, the less risk there is of damage to your reputation. Encourage people to moderate themselves. 33. Let users solve their own problems. As the amount of work grows, so does the number of workers. Help them help you. 34. Empty rooms are easier to redecorate. Be fast and loose with evolving your platform in the early stages, but be cautious of changing things once people start relying on it. 35. Everything has a cost. Although many online tools are free, everything costs time if not money. Find ways to get your money back right from the start. 36. Don’t confuse money with value. Look at the other assets you have in your community – skills, volunteers, goodwill – and put them to use in sustaining it. 37. Failure is useful. If you want to know what works, learn from what didn’t. 38. Say thank you in public. People don’t need to have something hand-written on headed paper to feel recognised. Use your tools to acknowledge the people who helped make them in a visible way. http://www.socialspaces.org/543685/ http://www.socialspaces.org/537352/-NEW-BOOK-OUT-APRIL-2011 http://www.socialspaces.org/537352/-NEW-BOOK-OUT-APRIL-2011 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:51:44 +0000 Social Spaces 537352 <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/8539/537352/GAUNTLETT-01.jpg" border="0" width="640" height="1001" align="left" /> Making is connecting The social meaning of creativity, from DIY and knitting to YouTube and Web 2.0 David Gauntlett Published by Polity in April 2011 ____________________________________________________________________________________ In Making is Connecting, David Gauntlett argues that through making things, people engage with the world and create connections with each other. Both online and offline, we see that people want to make their mark on the world, and to make connections. During the previous century, the production of culture became dominated by professional elite producers. But today, a vast array of people are making and sharing their own ideas, videos, and other creative material online, as well as engaging in real-world crafts, art projects, and hands-on experiences. Gauntlett argues that we are seeing a shift from a ‘sit-back-and-be-told culture’ to a ‘making-and-doing culture’. People are rejecting traditional teaching and television, and making their own learning and entertainment instead. Drawing on evidence from psychology, politics, philosophy, and economics, he shows how this shift is necessary and essential for the happiness and survival of modern societies. ____________________________________________________________________________________ David Gauntlett is Professor of Media and Communications at the University of Westminster, UK. He is the author of several books, including Creative Explorations (2007), which was shortlisted for the Times Higher Young Academic Author of the Year Award. http://www.socialspaces.org/537352/-NEW-BOOK-OUT-APRIL-2011 http://www.socialspaces.org/532015/ http://www.socialspaces.org/532015/ Sun, 25 Jul 2010 21:40:20 +0000 Social Spaces 532015 FEAST is a recurring public dinner designed to use community-driven financial support to democratically fund new and emerging artmakers. At each FEAST, participants will pay a sliding-scale entrance fee for which they will receive supper and a ballot. Diners will vote on a variety of proposed artist projects. At the end of dinner, the artist whose proposal receives the most votes will be awarded funds collected through the entrance fee to produce the project. The work will then be presented during the next FEAST.<img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/8539/532015/78_feast-how-to-menu.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="1865" align="left" /> http://www.socialspaces.org/532015/ http://www.socialspaces.org/531147/ http://www.socialspaces.org/531147/ Sun, 25 Jul 2010 06:34:41 +0000 Social Spaces 531147 Re-cycling is essential. The other side of resource care is to buy less, and this is where sharing comes in, particularly on items resource heavy and use light - such as DIY equipment and seasonal items. According to one site, an average drill only gets used for 20 minutes in its life. A number of websites have sprung up to help sharing - but the possibilities for local community sharing seem to make the logistics easier. Here are a few examples of the new sites: Freegle A wonderful site! Ecomodo This new site looks fatastic - allowing the sharing of objects, skills and spaces! The wonderful Landshare site just reached over 50,000 members - connecting spare land and growers Neighborgoods Neighborrow Frenting works though your Facebook friends Rentoid in Australia (Although technically renting rather than sharing, it is still resource sharing!) Streetbank There are also currently a number of sharing concept sites being entered in the Myoo 'Beat Wast Startup Challenge' http://www.socialspaces.org/531147/ http://www.socialspaces.org/531125/ http://www.socialspaces.org/531125/ Sun, 25 Jul 2010 06:20:55 +0000 Social Spaces 531125 <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/8539/531125/gent4.jpg" border="0" width="640" height="194" align="left" /> <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/8539/531125/gent5.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="333" align="left" /> Gentrification - The Game, created by Internet researcher Kate Raynes-Goldie, game enthusiast David Fono, architect Alex Raynes-Goldie and educational technologist Luke Walker, pits teams of “developers” against “locals” in a live competition designed to contrast corporate and community-based approaches to urban development. Fono describes the game as a mixture of live-action Monopoly and performance art, with Kate Raynes-Goldie amending that tagline to include “random acts of kindness plus public space hacking.” In this outdoor game, small teams of players compete to collect properties and transform the neighbourhood. As developers, they'll develop swanky lofts, erect coffee shops, and raise property values. As locals, they'll form BIAs, build community centres, and try to thwart the developers. Along the way there will be art, vicious debates, and possibly an Apple Pear Store. The game is played in rounds, and in each round, teams perform a variety of actions. They can scout properties and collect them by taking photos, then redevelop them by trading in permits. They can negotiate with other teams for land, cash or influence. Or they can execute one of many extra tactics, from the Slick Advertising Campaign (performed via sidewalk chalk) to the nefarious Protest (complete with placards.) Gentrification received Best Use of Technology and Best in Fest at the recent Come Out & Play Festival 2010 in New York and was played in Hide and Seek Festival in South London in July. <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/8539/531125/gent2.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="333" align="left" /> <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/8539/531125/gent1.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="333" align="left" /> <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/8539/531125/gent3.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="333" align="left" /> http://www.socialspaces.org/531125/