I have not read anyone's response carefully, but I would say that what I like about the discussion is that coworking as a verb attempts to get to the spirit of things.
Coworking as a space is not that interesting to me. Spirit is interesting to me. Geoff, Indy Hall -- Geoff DiMasi P'unk Avenue 215 755 1330 punkave.com window.punkave.com On Jun 4, 2008, at 12:22 PM, Dusty wrote: > > Joseph, I'm not trying to be a poop head. I agree you can use the word > however you want. No need for a vote. Just discussing semantics. :) > > On Jun 4, 11:05 am, "Joseph Holsten" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> On Tue, Jun 3, 2008 at 9:15 PM, Dusty <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >>> Hi everyone! >> >>> After many discussions about what coworking entails (including >>> things >>> like non-profit vs for-profit), I've been feeling a bit like there's >>> some confusion about what exactly coworking is. >> >>> I'd like to propose that coworking is not a noun but a verb. So, >>> coworking is not a space, a community, a set of values, a business >>> model, or any combination of those things. It's an activity like >>> swimming is an activity. >> >>> If we look at the definition of coworking on the Coworking Wiki, we >>> read that "coworking is a cafe-like community/collaboration space >>> for >>> developers, writers and independents." This defines coworking as a >>> noun and as a type of community space. Wikipedia does a bit better >>> at >>> defining coworking in my mind, but still places a lot of emphases on >>> "the space." >> >>> From my experience with Jelly, coworking is something you are doing. >>> For example, I'd use it in a sentence like this: "Today I am >>> coworking >>> at Jelly." Or, "I might go to Citizen Space to cowork." From this >>> usage I'd like to propose the following definition. >> >>> - Coworking is two or more individuals working independently or >>> collaboratively who are socially interacting while they work. >> >>> As a verb you can cowork with people, you can be coworking, or you >>> may >>> have coworked. You may even go to a designated coworking space. >> >>> Also note, that this definition does not mention anything about a >>> space or even proximity. This leaves the possibility to cowork >>> remotely. Second Life and Yahoo! Live come to mind. >> >>> When we talk about creating a "coworking space," "coworking >>> community," or having a specific set of values, we're really talking >>> about how to create an environment or community that will encourage >>> the activity of coworking. Arguments over values, profits, business >>> models, and furniture can neither undermine nor enhance the >>> definition >>> of coworking. Build a pool and I may go swimming. Is it a free pool? >>> Do I have to pay to swim? Is the water clean? Are kids allowed in >>> the >>> pool? Is there a swim team that meets at this pool? Is the pool's >>> owner honest? All of these thing may affect my decision to swim in >>> the >>> pool, but are ultimately a matter of taste. >> >>> In this vein, the coworking movement is a movement of coworking >>> enthusiasts. We participate in, promote, and discuss the activity of >>> coworking. >> >>> In summary, I'm proposing that coworking is NOT a cafe-like >>> community/ >>> collaboration space. That's like saying swimming is a pool. And >>> arguments such as for-profit versus non-profit need not become >>> heated. >>> Coworking is coworking regardless of where it's at, what values >>> people >>> share, or how big the community is. If you're working and >>> socializing, >>> you're coworking. >> >>> What do you think? >> >>> PS. I originally wrote this on my >>> blog:http://dustyreagan.com/redefining-coworking/ >>> but I wanted to bring the discussion here. >> >>> Dusty >> >> I gotta say that you can use the word however you want. I couldn't >> stop you anyhow. But If you decide you want to chill at a coworking, >> or start a coworking, or arrange a mutiny at a coworking, I'll know >> what you mean. "Define" it however you want, I won't be referring to >> your dictionary when next I hear the word. >> >> Further, you're welcome to pretend you have no idea what I mean >> when I >> say I'm trying to start a coworking. But don't tell me I'm "wrong." >> If >> I was wrong, either you'd have no idea what I meant, or misinterpret >> my meaning. If you know what I mean & refuse to acknowledge it, then >> that's pretty pedantic. Almost at pedantic as writing a critique on >> the internet wherein your subject is deemed pedantic. Almost as bad >> as >> that last sentence. >> >> Anyway: I don't care how you define things. How about we agree that >> if >> I don't know what you mean, I'll ask for an explanation nicely. >> >> http:// Joseph Holsten .com >> >> PS >> If I misunderstood anything, sorry. But I've abused the right to >> "define" things to great (that is, ill) effect over the years. It >> lets >> me be both formally correct and an asshat all at once. >> >> I try to stick to purely consensus definitions whenever possible now. > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
