[Noisebridge-discuss] Helping Non-Hackers

Johny Radio johnyradio at gmail.com
Tue Jul 30 06:42:18 UTC 2013


*Danny Dismal*dannydsml at 
gmail.com<mailto:noisebridge-discuss%40lists.noisebridge.net?Subject=Re%3A%20%5BNoisebridge-discuss%5D%20later%20hours%20vs.%20morning%20hours&In-Reply-To=%3CCAPeL4EOc0fiXPXPxDEyAeL1v7yEKtE7hj9smnvOZe-3abZ3_eg%40mail.gmail.com%3E>/, 
Mon Jul 29 14:33:25 UTC 2013 wrote:
//>People tend to blame the homeless and mentally ill for the situation 
they are in and then pushing them away....
/
Hi Danny

I agree that the homeless and mentally ill should not be blamed for 
their situation-- I believe we are all largely products of early-life 
advantages and disadvantages, over which we have no control. I believe 
in self-determination, but not everyone learns how to do it-- some 
people grow up without any decent, caring role-models. And then there's 
the economic meltdown, exorbitant college tuition (talk about the 
definition of "insanity"), and the rising cost of living in SF.

Danny D wrote:
/>why not find alternatives for them? Give people something to do... 
like take classes and learn, work on projects or create something
/
We do. We give everyone those opportunities. Some do it, spectacularly. 
Most do not. If they choose not to take those opportunities, Noisebridge 
cannot force them. For those who are unwilling or unable or uninterested 
in classes or projects, I feel NB should not be their moping space, 
their clubhouse, their shooting gallery, or their crashpad. This would 
be unfair to everyone who comes to NB to learn, teach, work on projects, 
and hack. Noisebridge is a hackerspace, not a halfway house.

Danny D wrote:
/>I know the biggest problem with this is it takes time to watch and 
help people but isn't that what real community is about?
/
Danny, if you, personally, want to step up and engage non-hackers in 
learning and making, i think that would be an excellent way to support 
NB's mission. I've spoken in support of homeless outreach in the past, 
but that takes an investment of resources which, for now, NB as a group 
is unwilling (and therefor unqualified) to make.

Danny D wrote:
/>serving as clean up and greeters which feels like being asked to be a 
servant
/
No one forces non-hackers to help around the space-- those who do, do it 
willingly. That's the niche they desire. In my experience, they 
appreciate some way to be valued in the NB community. Sans hacking, i 
think it's the only niche NB can offer.

Best,

Johny Radio

Stick It In Your Ear!

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