[consulting] Unionizing Drupal

[Eric Goldhagen]

At 9:43 PM +0100 8/7/10, Antonio P. P. Almeida wrote:
>On 7 Ago 2010 21h10 WEST, eric at openflows.com wrote:
>
>focused. Above all: avoid institutionalization at all costs. Every
>institution always end up serving the opposite of what it intended in
>the first place. The more power it has, the more it wants. It creates
>a divide between insiders and outsiders, benefitting the insiders at
>the expense of the outsiders and the development of better solutions.

I think this is not totally true. For me, I like Antonio Gramsci's 
perspective on organic vs. bureaucratic structures and organizations. 
Due to prevailing ideology in our society, many (ok, most) 
organizations build on bureaucratic models, where the continuation of 
the organization is for the benefit of those in positions of 
authority. But I belive that the nature of Free Software in general 
shows that organic structure within and organization is possible. 
Structures can exist that prevent control. Organizations can exist 
that continue for the initial stated purpose and stay focused on 
those doing the labor/being served instead of those in positions of 
authority.

This is a grand historical debate which we certainly will not resolve 
with a few emails, but I still think the debate is worth having.

In general, I also prefer to keep organizational structure simple, ad 
hoc, and not codified. I agree with your point that not having formal 
hierarchy can keep things more fluid, allow for change and still 
serve the needs of those involved. There are times however when I see 
the value of more formal alliances.

At this point I also have to give a nod to Sam's post and acknowledge 
that the example I suggested has some lessons for us and organizes a 
similar industry, also can teach us the danger of bureaucratic 
structures.

I really wish I had answers and not just more questions.

>Furthermore the web is a new "industry" and I don't think that
>industrial 20th concepts can be applied: is too loose is too
>distributed across the globe.

I agree, this is an issue far beyond Drupal and is about the 
possibility, or lack of possibility, of organizing a 21st century 
distributed workforce.

--Eric
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Openflows, Inc.
a technology workers cooperative
http://openflows.com
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