[platform-coop-dev-kit] 15 Minutes of Your Time?

[Michael McHugh]

Dear IDRC Colleagues,


Platform co-ops matter to different people for different reasons. You
probably read what the community has been up to last year: 2018 year in
review <https://platform.coop/stories/where-we-are-at-2018-2019>.  A lot is
happening but more work is needed.

We need to make abundantly clear the reasons for starting platform co-ops
and for converting to them. Why does this matter to you! We need a global
narrative.

Together with you and others, we will be crafting global narratives in
clear language, targeting co-op member-owners, technologists, policymakers,
union leaders, business owners seeking conversions, freelancers,
researchers, and advocates.


These narratives, which we hope to be accessible, substantive, and
emotionally moving, will greet people at the new platform.coop site.

Because you are so much a part of this work, we need your contribution.

We want to inspire technologists to push platform co-ops forward.


We seek a direct answer to the question: “Why do the principles and
practices of platform cooperativism matter for technologists in your country
?”

Why does this matter for you?


Submit a paragraph or two addressing this prompt through the form below,
and please consider the following when making your contribution:



   -

   Include facts, statistics, quotations, emotional & active language (!),
   specific examples from your home country, and brief anecdotes as you see
   fit. We are less interested in generalizations.



   -

   Bullet points are welcome

   -

   Direct quotations from workers or key leaders would be useful.


Submit your response here: https://goo.gl/forms/CjGhCawNlXqLZzvo2


Please understand that we will be merging the various submissions.
Therefore, we will not be able to use all elements of your contribution but
we’ll acknowledge all contributors on our blog. If you would like to remain
anonymous, just select that option in the form. After we receive
contributions, we will share a draft of the narrative for your review and
last input.

The closing date for your input will be Friday, February 22.


Here are some reasons why we think platform co-ops matter to technologists:


   -

   Platform co-ops offer an alternative pathway for start-up funding,
   drawing on multi-stakeholder rather than shareholder investment.

   -

   They allow for a commitment to open source and co-design.

   -

   In platform co-ops, start-up entrepreneurs retain control and democratic
   governance of their enterprise, instead of handing it over to VCs after the
   first few months.

   -

   Platform co-ops create a democratic workplace with fair pay for tech
   workers. They restore the original promise of a decentralized internet in
   contrast to monopolistic internet companies seeking to create cadres of
   cheap programming labor as we currently see with various Internet
   monopolies.

   -

   With ownership through the co-op model comes sovereignty over the code
   and thereby more control over privacy and transparency.


Please take a few minutes and contribute to this important project.

https://goo.gl/forms/CjGhCawNlXqLZzvo2


Michael will follow-up with gentle reminders over the next few weeks.


Thank you so much.


Best,

Trebor




--

MICHAEL McHUGH
*PROJECT MANAGER, PLATFORM CO-OP DEVELOPMENT KIT*
PLATFORM COOPERATIVISM CONSORTIUM
THE NEW SCHOOL

79 FIFTH AVENUE, 16th FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY, 10003
*E*: mchughm at newschool.edu
<http://www.newschool.edu/marketing-communication/email-signature.html#> *P*:
646.909.4676

https://platform.coop/
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