Hi -- I would say that my nod to the actual enforcement of the Patriot Act
does reflect on the surveilling and repressive political climate we live
and work in -- but it was also tongue in cheek. I understand you're
reading my comment with a careful eye, which I appreciate. But let me just
put this out there -- that if you, or any reader, were to take it as a
serious warning, or reflection of some inside political knowledge -- I
didn't mean it that way.
Marc, I agree with you that the political climate has affected Rhizome
since 2001 -- I think that's totally reasonable. We are all feeling these
forces.
But, let me try to delineate how these conditions are affecting Rhizome.
As far as I can tell Rhizome staff is *no* more conservative than before
(I don't really want to speak for anyone but myself), but perhaps we spend
out time differently. In general, peers here in the States seem to be
focusing energy and time on political mobilization -- especially with the
upcoming presidential election (can't let another one get stolen!). Vis a
vis Rhizome, the latest stats on the news, Friday -- CBS, said that more
than 10% of American non-profits went out of business last year. I know we
have to spend more time on raising money to survive.
I have not heard anyone say though that there is a need to curtail free
speech on Raw... or modify our core principles. And no one approached up
from the Govt. vis a vis Rhizome content. But, as you suggest, I wouldn't
be surprised if people felt like they had to self-censor. It's a scary
time, and in the States the Patriot Act feels real. I mean, after Sept.
11, the White House issued a statement saying Americans should watch what
they say. Literally!! All of the topics you raise -- the economy,
surveillance, repression, politics -- these are conditions in effect --
and not just on Rhizome the organization. I mean, I think many of the
people on the list are also dealing with the more political and economic
issues -- don't you? Aren't we all dealing with this -- everywhere?
So I am glad you're bringing up issues like surveillance and repression --
they're not just the matters of art content. I agree that they are
affecting people, across the board. I would be keen to hear what you think
we should do to recruit more people or be more representative of the net
art community. I am interested in the idea of propogating net art...
I don't want to be negative about a sense of totality or community --
because what am I doing working here if not insisting on some kind of net
art community? But keep in mind that when RHizome started there were a
couple thousand net artists and enthusiasts. Now, the Net is a different
medium. Being a community amid watered-down hugeness has different
challenges. And vis a vis our masculinist vibe -- it's depressing, isn't
it? Rhizome has always been male-dominated, as long as I can remember.
Last year I tried to get a lot of outspoken women to be active on and
interested in Rhizome -- but it didn't work. I guess on some systematic
level, it wasn't organic.
> Hi Eryk & Jim,
>
> The unrequited mutualism between Rhizome and the Global, creative Net
> community...
>
> What are the real reasons for Rhizome becoming more conservative?
>
> There are other issues that are not openly discussed on here regharding
> Rhizome's changes since late 2001. Perhaps the non collective nature of
> Rhizome today is more to do with the political climate in the world.
>
> It is not a coincidence that Rhizome's changes are also in keeping with
> the political shifts regarding its own cultural locality and nationhood,
> its gradual dumbing down of being involved openly with artists who are
> contextually political in their net art-work and moving (even more)
> towards consciously advocating self referential net art, a natural
> side-step towards a more institutionalised role, is worrying.
>
> Since the introduction of the 'Patriot Act October' on 26th 2001 by the
> Bush administration (as everyone knows in the whole wide world) are a very
> nasty bunch of rich people who kill and maim lives. 'The FBI and CIA can
> now go from phone to phone, computer to computer without demonstrating
> that each is even being used by a suspect or target of an order. The
> government may now serve a single wiretap, FISA wiretap or pen/trap order
> on any person or entity nationwide, regardless of whether that person or
> entity is named in the order. The government need not make any showing to
> a court that the particular information or communication to be acquired is
> relevant to a criminal investigation. In the pen/trap or FISA situations,
> they do not even have to report where they served the order or what
> information they received.'
>
http://www.eff.org/Privacy/Surveillance/Terrorism_militias/20011031_eff_usa_patriot_analysis.php>
> Rachel's suggestion to all those who participate with Amy Alexander's
> excellent piece called 'PPMMM' in the latest Net Art News felt significant
> with her added warning 'The artist also recommends sending your slogans to
> Washington, but considering the reach and force of the Patriot Act, we
> suggest users proceed with caution'. Which is an honourable suggestion in
> view of how after Sept 11, America's own people are even considered
> potential enemies.
>
> I wrote a brief article days after Sept 11 called 'Spies on the net -
> thought control- denial - and of course another stupid war'.
>
> 'Beware everyone, for we are going to experience sweeping control laws,
> enforcing non privacy on the net and in our communities. Using the masses
> emotional grief as a barometer. Emotional blackmail (a cruel weapon, also
> used by religions to gain control over others) will be used to halt
> creative freedom and valid information, correspondence between individuals
> and organisations'.
>
> So how significant is the force of the Patriot Act? How much has political
> pressure influenced todays Rhizome? Has Mark Tribe been approached by a
> government ape, telling him to hang back with the bruts?
>
> Is there a self censorship happening on Rhizome?
>
> Are we all our discussions being monitored by those who would rather us
> just talk about how nice America is, and coding, abstraction is cute?
>
> the Patriot Act must have an influence on the way that Rhizome acts. This
> could also mean that art that is linked to America's empire like
> activities and the war might not be supported or promoted via Net Art News
> as often, or sometimes not accepted onto the database. Creating an
> environment that is not conducive to questioning structural elements in a
> political sense.
>
> So is Rhizome more conservative now? Less inclined in supporting those who
> the roles, purposes of corrupt politicians, military and backward
> organizations and institutions that control what we all see?
>
> There was a very good comment posted by Geert, not sure if many read it or
> saw it. He said 'If there is to be a true discussion on digital art, it
> should be about the way art should or could propogate through the art
> community'. It would serve any controlling government organization well if
> we were to all talk about art in the micro sense and ignore the bigger
> picture, like why that wall is there and for whom that picture really
> hangs on the walls for. This is all part of art thinking, not just the
> object.
>
> I still think that Rhizome has a lot to offer, that is why I am still
> here, and I know that many users on this list also feel this way.
>
> We are living in very strange and emotionally backward and violent times -
> everyone knows that the attack on Iraq was wrong. Yet, no one can do
> anything about it. Who can police those who are more keen in helping
> themselves and more keen on feeding corporate greed?
>
> And if everyone, still thinks that them being spied upon by their
> governemnts is not really happening and is based on poranoid delusions;
> I'd say that they are naive not to know what is actually at stake for all
> concerned.
>
> There are many digital/web/net artists outside of America's borders,
> outside of Rhizome's borders (and within) who did and still do wish for
> something more progressive, integrated, consciously, actively
> contributing, working with and networking for community based intentions
> in a more openly global way, less centralized, more decentralized.
>
> I kind of feel that Rhizome is much more of a (masculine orientated)
> business venture now. Money seems to be its main goal, also seen by
> outsiders as supporting its own (American based) peer related colleagues,
> rather than the creative Internet community as a whole. It is no longer
> rhizomatic, more like a weed that grows in locality to its own habitual
> environment. In the UK we have an organizational body that follows via
> protocol called the 'trades description act'. If it was based here in this
> country there would be in trouble for selling a product that does not
> reflect what it says on the label of the tin.
>
> So is Rhizome censored?
> And by whom?
> Is this one reason for the changes?
>
> marc
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>>
>> The resentment issue is going to stick around for a while, because no
>> one
>> (by "no one" I mean Mark Tribe) has really addressed it, and no one
>> (Mark
>> Tribe) seems interested in addressing it. I am sure they have a steady
>> increase in new subscribers, though I am at a loss to explain how it
>> would
>> happen- (closed circuits don't invite expansion).
>>
>> -e.
>>
>> (Mark Tribe)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "marc.garrett" <
marc.garrett@furtherfield.org>
>> To: <
list@rhizome.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2003 3:38 PM
>> Subject: RHIZOME_RAW: resentment...
>>
>>
>> > Found this on the Syndicate list..
>> >
>> > seemjs like there is a lot of resentment out there...
>> >
>> > marc
>> > look below
>> >
>> > In case you've been meaning to renew your Rhizome membership
>> > NO have not thought about it not even once but thanks for proving that
>> you
>> > are nothing but a propaganda and scrouge dog-e digger from the
>> netherworld
>> >
>> >
>> > but just haven't gotten around to it yet, this is a quick note
>> >
>> > will never get around to it would rather spend five dollars
>> toiletpaper
>> > practical POOPY POOP
>> >
>> > to say that we'd love to have you back.
>> >
>> > No you would not you want my money Go Get Big AmeriKan Grant That
>> Supports
>> > The Big AmeriKan Arts ha hahahhahaa ___AmeriKa Does Not Support The
>> Arts
>> > !!!!!!
>> > we have principles like L.Armstrong NO RHIZOME!!!!!!!!!!!
>> >
>> > hah aha ahah ahahah ahah aha hah aha ha all day long
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > + ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup
>> > -> post:
list@rhizome.org>> > -> questions:
info@rhizome.org>> > -> subscribe/unsubscribe:
>>
http://rhizome.org/preferences/subscribe.rhiz>> > -> give:
http://rhizome.org/support>> > +
>> > Subscribers to Rhizome are subject to the terms set out in the
>> > Membership Agreement available online at
>>
http://rhizome.org/info/29.php>> >
>>
>>