Hi ROB,
I do wonder how much of their criticism of the amateur can be attributed
to the knowledge that their position of privilege is no more secure
against amateurism than any other creative field.
I think you make a strong point here...
The other thing in regard to Geert's reference to professional journalists being
threatened by amateurs; is that, when one looks at British journalism at the moment
it seems it is perhaps not, necessarily just amateurism& the Internet
challenging more traditional forms of journalism, but the institutions themselves.
The drive to sensationalise information and ignoring the (really) essential and
important questions about what's happening in our world, is now being asked
elsewhere...
One of the more frustrating aspects of Lovink's apparent criticism of Lessig
(http://blogs.fu-berlin.de/fcrc/2010/10/08/geert-lovink-keynote-after-the-
critique-of-free-and-open-alternative-platforms-and-revenue-models/
) is that it isn't. He *agrees* with Lessig's more recent writing on the
idea that amateurs should be protected from professional economic
exploitation by reducing everyone else's freedom to use their work.
On the one hand I recognise that the problem from the point of view of
an economic critique of amateur production is that unlike the complete
Marxist individual who can "hunt in the morning..." they don't receive
the full economic benefit of the exploitation of the products of their
labour. On the other hand I don't recall Marxists and Theorists burning
down the copy shop, the photo booth or the art materials store because
they made far more money from the work of amateurs than the amateurs
ever did.
If Geert is being critical about the precarious nature of amateurs not being
recognised for their own efforts in contributing to a wider culture, I think he
should be clearer about it.
He touches upon it in a paragraph taken from the site you linked...
"Instead of making demands on the current system, we must look for the implications
of the alternatives. Lovink proposed that we move away from the emphasis on amateur as a
victim, and towards the empowerment of young professionals, because in Lovink’s view,
amateurs are emerging, starting professionals. What should we demand of our new
technologies?"
Yet the text of his discussion on the P2P Foundation site declares a
contradiction. Although, this may also be due to the complexities of it all in
relation to how one observes amateurism clearly and its multifarious nature.
When he suggests looking for alternatives for the acceptance or inclusion of
amateurism, in creating alternative systems where it can thrive. This puts
forward the notion that it is not thriving, it's just that amateurism has found
its own culture, its own voice.
He proposes such actions in reflection to his own context, position and
professional peers. Just like when theorists try to give something a name so it
is easier to get access.
As we all know, some people are not always amateurs because they wish to be.
One problem Geert has if he is actually serious about connecting with amateurs,
is that he has been part of a culture that has thrived on dividing
professionals from amateurs systemically. Using the term 'victim' is not a true
representation or useful image when discussing about amateurs, unfortunately -
it serves to redefine amateurs as complainers when in reality many have
successfully built alternative processes of sharing their own contexts on their
own terms.
One other thing which also needs be to considered here is, whether
professionalism will kill the spirit of amateurism and its independent voice,
or it will all level out somehow? I am suspicious of what he really means by
professional. Relationally it could mean many different things and if we look
at all the independent hack-labs cropping up everywhere, it is not hard to
imagine that there is a lot of talent out there ready to farm. Many of these
new self-built communities are there for various reasons, but one thing we can
be sure about, is that professionalism is not at the forefront of their minds
when collaborating and sharing skills, technology and mutually respected ideas
- they have come about because there is a need for it and because there is a
lack in the more 'official' forms of society.
Wishing you well.
marc
Thanks Marc.
A few comments...
there those who feel they know or have a particular perspective of
the bigger picture because of their positions in relation to their
privilege,
I do wonder how much of their criticism of the amateur can be attributed
to the knowledge that their position of privilege is no more secure
against amateurism than any other creative field.
I disagree with the idea that amateurs are the enemy.
One of the more frustrating aspects of Lovink's apparent criticism of
Lessig
(http://blogs.fu-berlin.de/fcrc/2010/10/08/geert-lovink-keynote-after-the-critique-of-free-and-open-alternative-platforms-and-revenue-models/
) is that it isn't. He *agrees* with Lessig's more recent writing on the
idea that amateurs should be protected from professional economic
exploitation by reducing everyone else's freedom to use their work.
On the one hand I recognise that the problem from the point of view of
an economic critique of amateur production is that unlike the complete
Marxist individual who can "hunt in the morning..." they don't receive
the full economic benefit of the exploitation of the products of their
labour. On the other hand I don't recall Marxists and Theorists burning
down the copy shop, the photo booth or the art materials store because
they made far more money from the work of amateurs than the amateurs
ever did.
What he proposes may not necessarily sit right, but they address
important questions around how and why things 'should' always be
free.
IMO individuals should be free to participate in cultural life and their
freedom to do so not held hostage either by evil corporations or by well
meaning anti-corporatists.
It's a bit like accepting democracy without knowing why its there in
the first place - perhaps we just need to remind ourselves why we
have it.
Yes I certainly need to get back in touch with the positive basis for my
involvement in free culture. This thread has been a great help for that.
Thank you.
- Rob.
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