NET Annual General Meeting 2009

[Dimentio]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wyoXatuo2c

Just a simple video showing the meeting which the NET Board held in May this year in Umeå. Next year, we will probably hold one down in Croatia.

[Pogue]

how dyu guys cooperate when ur not all commies?

[Dimentio]

how dyu guys cooperate when ur not all commies?

NET is built on a common set of values regarding human rights, environmentalism and a foundation of respect for the scientific method. If we reach into a disagreement, we agree to test it out through practical experiments instead of debate. That is because we are an autonomous research organisation, not a political party.

Moreover, what NET aims for will result in the abolishment of private property and the establishment of a society where all human beings have equal access to the means of production.

[Sam_b]

For technocrats I expected a better video.

The irony of the members going 'back to basics' camping was also not lost on me.

[Dimentio]

For technocrats I expected a better video.

The irony of the members going 'back to basics' camping was also not lost on me.

It was intentional ;)

We have something called "humour", Brian.

One part of the work of the SeqRel is to mock popular caricatures and misrepresentations of what technocracy is.

[Wanted Man]

I never took you guys seriously, but this video has completely changed my mind.

[BobKKKindle$]

I never took you guys seriously, but this video has completely changed my mind.

The impressive turnout was what won me over - what was it for you? The standard of discussion? The social activities? The organic connection between NET and the struggles of the working class?

[Pogue]

now now children

[Dimentio]

First they ridicule...

[Wanted Man]

The impressive turnout was what won me over - what was it for you? The standard of discussion? The social activities? The organic connection between NET and the struggles of the working class?
I didn't even have to think about those things, I was already blown away by the technical quality of the video itself. Hollywood had better watch its ass, because it ain't got shit on the cinematic potential of the technate.

Edit: I'm also pleased with the democratic nature. There were 8 attendants (1 online) who voted 7 board members. How awesome is that? It must suck for the one person who didn't become board member though.

Oh, and they have "activities on Second Life". Where do I sign up?


First they ridicule...
Gandhi on non-violent activism? Cute.

[Dimentio]

I didn't even have to think about those things, I was already blown away by the technical quality of the video itself. Hollywood had better watch its ass, because it ain't got shit on the cinematic potential of the technate.

Edit: I'm also pleased with the democratic nature. There were 8 attendants (1 online) who voted 7 board members. How awesome is that? It must suck for the one person who didn't become board member though.

Oh, and they have "activities on Second Life". Where do I sign up?


Gandhi on non-violent activism? Cute.

Well, it is free to attend, and it is actually 8 board members. Mostly because we have a co-directorship in each of the four sequences. Moreover, NET is not a wealthy organisation. It was founded in 2006.

We have had lots of activities IRL as well.

I find it funny that no one here criticising technocracy or NET know what it stands for and could criticise the actual policies of NET. Rather they criticise the perceived image of technocrats or technocracy. Anarchism, marxism-leninism and all other ideologies are criticised because of what they stand for by each-other. Technocracy is criticised because what it is'nt standing for.

[Wanted Man]

I don't have anything against technocrats individually, if you want to support technocracy, more power to you. Some pretty sharp people on here are technocrats, although even the slightest criticism of technocracy is enough to make them fly off the handle and flame the shit out of you, for some reason. I just think your organisation is a joke.

Contrary to your suggestion, criticism of any political current is not just done by policies (most political currents have nice sounding policies), but also by its class basis and general position in society. And when that consists of a general meeting with 8 people who all vote themselves "directors", it is reasonable to cast doubt upon both its position in society and on its potential to put its nice policies into practice.

Edit: I also haven't discovered any political content in the minutes, besides some brief lines about "Second Life activities" and "development of a robot" (please don't doom mankind, kthx).

Edit2 (yes, I need to calm the fuck down): of course the image of M-Ls and anarchists is often criticised. M-Ls are old-fashioned stalinists who drink black coffee and smoke heavy tobacco, anarchists are crusty punk kids who engage in lifestylism, etc. For a confirmation of the latter stereotype, check out these pictures, self-titled: "Anarchism in practice" (http://indymedia.nl/nl/2009/07/60517.shtml). :)

[Dimentio]

I don't have anything against technocrats individually, if you want to support technocracy, more power to you. Some pretty sharp people on here are technocrats, although even the slightest criticism of technocracy is enough to make them fly off the handle and flame the shit out of you, for some reason. I just think your organisation is a joke.

Contrary to your suggestion, criticism of any political current is not just done by policies (most political currents have nice sounding policies), but also by its class basis and general position in society. And when that consists of a general meeting with 8 people who all vote themselves "directors", it is reasonable to cast doubt upon both its position in society and on its potential to put its nice policies into practice.

Edit: I also haven't discovered any political content in the minutes, besides some brief lines about "Second Life activities" and "development of a robot" (please don't doom mankind, kthx).

Edit2 (yes, I need to calm the fuck down): of course the image of M-Ls and anarchists is often criticised. M-Ls are old-fashioned stalinists who drink black coffee and smoke heavy tobacco, anarchists are crusty punk kids who engage in lifestylism, etc. For a confirmation of the latter stereotype, check out these pictures, self-titled: "Anarchism in practice" (http://indymedia.nl/nl/2009/07/60517.shtml). :)

While this is probably a moot point, NET is an actually registered organisation which is following a formal protocol. The organisation is divided into four sequences.

Research, Relations, Administration and Finance.

Each sequence has 2 directors each. Director is a title which we inherited from Technocracy Inc. The NET directors are mostly forming the goals of the sequences, but they could be re-called and we have elections.

NET has about 40 members, but the problem is the geographical location and the limited resources. NET is scattered around the globe, with the strongest membership bases in Umeå, Sweden, and Ljubljana in Slovenia.

Most people have sadly enough never partaken on a meeting (which we mostly have on skype and have recorded). The AGM Umea meeting was the first time the Board was largely on the same spot. For a new, small and financially weak organisation, it was a large logistical undertaking. Next year, we will hopefully hold a meeting in Croatia.