So, anyone else going to OFFDEM in Brussels next month?
https://ps.zoethical.org/pub/offdem-ozone-cfp
I’m going to hold a little Kitten* workshop and take part in the roundtables on the Saturday. Looking forward to seeing some of you there.
Just to clarify, I’m not going to #FOSDEM2023, I’m going to #OFFDEM.
I don’t attend, speak at, or legitimise so-called “free software” (or “human rights”, etc.) conferences that let surveillance capitalists like Google launder their reputations by sponsoring them. I’m only taking part in OFFDEM, which was created in reaction to #FOSDEM’s lack of principles and ethical backbone.
@aral I'm thinking about it.
@booteille @aral nah, it was about #fosdem
@aral now I know it exists! But I'm a little "off" fosdem this year generally tbh. Not sure I wanna put my body through the Petri dish that it normally is quite yet...
@chrischinchilla I hear you. (I’ll definitely have my mask with me.) Also, just to point out, I’m not going to FOSDEM. I don’t attend, speak at, or legitimise so-called “free software” or “human rights”, etc., conferences that let surveillance capitalists like Google launder their reputations by sponsoring them. I’m only attending OFFDEM, which was created in reaction to FOSDEM’s lack of ethics in that area.
@aral ahhh. I might just for the parties and the "hanging out"
@aral that exactly what bothers me with some FOSS events sponsored by Google & co !
@aral nice, I'll try to attend on Saturday as Sunday I'll manage and talk in the Javascript devroom https://fosdem.org/2023/schedule/track/javascript/ but I understand the need. I don't know the details to be honest but will read about because I've always been uncomfortable with the sponsorship, especially as, as a volunteer, I don't get to see any of that but I need to better understand what is actually needed, financing-wise and what are the consequences of it.
@utopiah Cool, here’s to seeing you there :) (I should be there all day Saturday.)
@aral I'm confused by the OFFDEM website, hoping you might know this. do regular participants need to sign up anywhere or is that only for people who want to speak?
@potatoes_fall As far as I understand, everyone contributes in one way or another (the focus isn’t on conference-style presentations – although I will be doing a short workshop on Kitten in a breakout room – but a general assembly and round-table discussions, which I very much look forward to taking part in). So think more unconference/barcamp than mainstream conference. I’m sure @how@s10y.eu can explain it better.
@aral I just need to take a further dig at FSF for its disgusting refusal to step away from Stallman after 2019. It undercuts anything they may say about supposed values and community.
@aral Such a great article! Thank you for taking a stand and calling out these BS when you see it. Unfortunately this thing has plagued the FOSS community right now, everywhere you see corporate sponsors for these supposedly well-meaning projects/organizations. I just wanna share these pages from the "Origin of most problems" book which warned people about this exact thing. I had to merge a few pages 'cause of limits in mastodon, but you can find the full book here - https://www.tromsite.com/books/
@aral much enjoyed reading your article from '19!
particularly awesome: a data protection / privacy forum featuring a keynote held by facebook about the visionary topic: how to create an ad.
@aral “What am I trying to do? Out-Stallman Stallman? Madness!”
@aral that sure looks like a good place and crowd, if I can make it work out I'll be there ... since it's only a trainride away.
@dries Cool; say hi if you do :)