Theory for hackspaces

Hackers usually focus on 'getting things done', without too much discussion, and the hackspace rules say that talk is cheap, which might seem to devalue conversation.

Why bother with theory

It is important to set the limits of what we can talk about, because what we do is rooted in how we talk.

With a good foundation in theory, the value of the hackspace might be increased. This page is written in the hope that it will lead to greater membership contributions, motivate more participation, and lead to more collaboration. Also, we might work out how to respond appropriately to conflict.

Suggested books for a reading group

Please add your suggestions with a brief explanation of why the text should interest us, in relation to hackspace, if it's not completely obvious.

Critical theory

A Hacker Manifesto, by Wark

Protocol: How Control Exists After Decentralization, by Galloway

Cultural studies

The Culture of Technology

Cognitive science

In Over Our Heads - suggests why so much of this stuff goes over our heads.

Management/Business

The Handbook of Large Group Methods - methods to organise activity that can engage really large groups of people (with lots of case studies).

Open Space Technology, or Expanding Our Now - a way of inviting unstructured and self-organising events that flow. Assertiveness and Diversity - uses NLP to convince the reader that the best way to achieve diversity is to promote assertiveness in organisations.

Activism

Change the world without taking power - an emotional scream, or plea, to organise in a non-hierarchical way.