[Noisebridge-discuss] why cointelpro2.0 kills community

[Tom Lowenthal]

In March 2014, Jacob Appelbaum <jacob at appelbaum.net> wrote:
> I'm really heartbroken to see that Noisebridge has been taken over by
> petty tinpot dictators who basically hijacked our little non-profit
> because they were too incompetent and lazy to start their own. The
> worst is that some of the best Noisebridge folks were played by some
> really awful folks with awful intentions.
>
> In a sense, I think it is sad: Many people have poured their hearts,
> their wallets and their lives into Noisebridge.
>
> In a sense, I think it is deserved: We failed to stop informants,
> infiltrators and other jerks from ruining our community.

Hi Jake,

We disagree about a bunch of things. I think we agree about far more
than we disagree, but this discussion is about a disagreement.

Clearly, we disagree about what's best for Noisebridge and how best to
achieve that. I'm not replying to convince you my opinion is right. I
don't think we could productively discuss that on a mailing list, or
perhaps even by email at all.

I think that the criticisms in your message are aimed at me. If
they're not, and it's someone else you're calling an awful person, a
petty tinpot dictator, an informant, an infiltrator, a lazy and
incompetent hijacker with awful intentions, then I apologise. Sadly, I
think you're talking about me.

It makes me sad that you think I'm a bad person because I disagree
with you about this. I'm sad that you think my opinions are so wrong
and so far from what's reasonable or plausible that the only
explanation which makes sense to you is that I am a spy and a saboteur
sent by your enemies to ruin something you love.

I love Noisebridge too. I want Noisebridge to be an effective
infrastructure provider for technical-creative projects. I want
Noisebridge to be a place where locals love to work and people from
all over the world enjoy visiting. I disagree with you about how to do
that.

I wish you could respect my intentions and disagree with my approach
rather than calling me a saboteur and a spy.

In respect and disappointment,
-Tom