Second Life Left Unity

Have a socialist one..!

noreply@blogger.com (Plot Tracer) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:43:00 +0000

see you soon...

noreply@blogger.com (Plot Tracer) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 09:35:00 +0000

Comrades

As many of my friends in SL know, I have not been able to come in to work with you on SL Left Unity projects over the past few months. I have not forgotten you, and I am still very much in support of the Left Unity project we began way back in 2006.

I have documented my part in SLLU from 2006 on this blog and also on http://plotsplot.blogspot.com, so won’t go over all of the superb campaigns and events that have made me proud to be part of. The comrades and real friendships I have made when helping in different left projects have been beautiful and inspiring and I know many of them are going to continue working in SL on projects that educate and inspire.

I am glad to see SLLU and SLLU members at the heart of the Occupy SL movement. This is an important movement and the left need to be a loud voice within it (as well as without – real change will always need critical friends to help steer it towards fair change).

I will be coming and going from SL when I can, but my real life is becoming much too busy at the moment to let me immerse in our work in SL as I would like to. SL is extremely time consuming, and this is doubly so when planning events and bringing comrades together through agitation and conversation. This, of course, can change, so I am not bowing out of SL completely. My activity from December to January of this year was intense because I was at home with broken bones, and coming into SL in the first place back in 2006 was because of an illness – so I imagine there will be times will be able to come in and help out in the coming years.

Please – if you see me inworld, contact me and let me know how SLLU and other social justice projects in SL are going.

Thanks for all the fish.

Plot Tracer/Neil Scott

Occupy SL website: http://occupysl.org/

noreply@blogger.com (Merriam Galaxy) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 23:50:00 +0000

I have set up a website for Occupy SL this weekend: http://occupysl.org/

That link will take you to the blog. Look there for a link to the Forums. In the Forums I have created categories for each of the working groups to talk and coordinate. This should be where the working groups can discuss and come to agreement on important issues, ideas, and actions.

I still need to add a lot of introductory content to the blog and the forums. And everyone needs to add content too. If you are a good writer and want to contribute, please let me know. Everybody, let me know what you think needs to be added to the site. Thanks! ~Merriam~

OCCUPY SL WEBSITE/ forum!

noreply@blogger.com (Plot Tracer) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:05:00 +0000

New Occupy SL site HERE

noreply@blogger.com (Merriam Galaxy) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:10:00 +0000

The 4th General Assembly for Occupy SL (OSL) happened last night. It was a bit chaotic, but we got some important things started.

Three working groups (or "committees") were created.
1. Direct Action working group
2. Media Communications working group
3. Facilitation working group

These working groups, or committees, are open groups of ppl who are talking together to generate ideas, discuss and work out the details and feasibility, and then to present and make proposals in GA meetings. A working group is simply a collection of ppl who are focused on one issue or aspect of OSL. Anybody can be a part of a working group by just "showing up" i.e. presenting yourself to the group, listening to what is being said, and offering input. You may be involved in as many working groups as you care to keep up with.

Working groups are not new SL groups. They won't be posting their own groups notices. Though they can use the OSL sl group to make Notices for meetups and solicit for ideas. I'm looking into setting up online forums the working groups can use for asynchonous discussions.

The Direct Action working group's focus is to work on the overall Occupy SL campaign and specific protest actions or other kinds of direct action. Contact any1 Gynoid to get involved with that group.

The Media working group is tasked with developing a media policy and discussing how we should talk and interact with the media in sl. Primarily, this was in regard to non-OSL bloggers. There were concerns about how OSL might get represented if we weren't careful. Contact Flashing Merlin to get involved with that group

The Facilitation working group is to review and refine how we do meetings and how we communicate to work together in OSL. This group would talk with other working groups and develope the agenda for the next GA. Contact Merriam Galaxy to get involved with that group.

*these working group contacts are not meant to be leaders, but are just points of contact for now to get ppl connected.

There is still room for other working groups around the meat-and-potatos of what OSL can/should be doing: specfic issues (unemployment, banking reform, electorial reform, foreclosures, student debt, public welfare and cuts to services, war, poverty, etc), how to do education in sl on these issues, teaching ppl in sl about what OWS is about, how to get involved in rl, activism in general, direct democracy and other models of political organization ...and whatever else ppl want to focus on. People are encouraged to start working groups on their own and..Get Involved!

At the 4th GA meeting we also had announcements from ppl. Miso Susanova told us about OccupyLEA (Linden Endowment for the Arts) and how they are protesting Linden Lab policies that are hurting the artist community in sl. She said that A LOT of artists got onboard with that and also joined OSL. OccupyLEA is losing its space at the LEA sandbox but has been offered and encouraged to setup on Caerleon Arts Collective sims, a big name in SL. Caerleon is about to lose their sims because they can't meet the new tier (rent) schedule that LL has established.

From the letter Miso received from Caerleon Arts Collective:

OCCUPY SL! Hi everyone. As you know, after building SL from the unpaid collective labor of thousands of artists and educators, LL is unceremoniously evicting us by doubling our tier. In the handful of months we have left, we invite you to OCCUPY SL by establishing a tent city of artists and others on the three Caerleon sims.

We want artworks, meetings, discussions, a General Assembly and, in general, joyous mayhem. Press are invited.

Having the arts community onboard with us in OSL is HUGE and great resource. Many artists are already coming to us wanting to do projects.

Flashing Merlin contacted Rodrick Linden this last week asking him to donate space for a virtual Zucotti Park. Rodvik has yet to receive a response. Flashing also contacted Hamlet Au, of New World Notes Blog. Hamlet Au wants to write about OSL, but there was hesitation voiced from members at the meeting on whether Hamlet would present us well in his blog. This in part lead to the formation of the Media working group.

Wara Ysabel from Bolivia shared this about what is happening in her country:

[2011-10-26 19:39:36] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): thanks .. Well, I am from Bolivia, last 9 weeks we have supporting an indigenous machs from low lands to La Paz, 600 Km long.
[2011-10-26 19:40:09] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): the reason for that, was the president, pretended to build a higwayt trhoug the National Park and Indigenous terrytry (TIPNIS)
[2011-10-26 19:40:28] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): well, what happend from the march start (1200 person aprox)
[2011-10-26 19:40:45] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): we was warking very hard in many aspects
[2011-10-26 19:41:15] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): 1) Sharing, educating and publishing news (when media stop informing, so walls start talking)
[2011-10-26 19:41:42] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): 2) Humanitty support to the marchers And we have aprooblem ehere
[2011-10-26 19:42:00] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): at day 35, police and ppl is close to Evo Morales (coca growers)
[2011-10-26 19:42:28] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): bloked the march, and close the ways to give them even water
[2011-10-26 19:42:42] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): note the march include 102 childs, womens, and olds
[2011-10-26 19:43:11] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): on september 25, police violente breake the march, it was very very sad
[2011-10-26 19:43:15] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): i will share with you some videos later
[2011-10-26 19:43:42] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): but that event, makes all the country join. Several ocuppys was made in cityes
[2011-10-26 19:44:12] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): and the ppol start supporting the march with everything. from water to clowns to make childs be better
[2011-10-26 19:44:23] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): ok, after 66 days and 600km
[2011-10-26 19:44:32] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): march reach La PAz

[2011-10-26 19:44:45] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): and finally, the goverment off the 480USD millons porject
[2011-10-26 19:44:59] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): so, for now, we won, and most important, we learned
[2011-10-26 19:45:30] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): the riught way to the union, is the difference betwean every one
[2011-10-26 19:45:44] Wara Ysabel (vampi.zapatero): thanks, and congrast for ocuppySL

So, very cool... :)

a summary update...

noreply@blogger.com (Merriam Galaxy) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:51:00 +0000

Occupy SL is really taking off. We're running our meetings on the same direct democracy, consensus driven method that OWS and other rl occupation groups are using. One member has done training in rl and prepared a teach-in in sl presenting how the rl ows general assemblies work. He's giving his presentation every Sunday at 6:30am from now on. This is a really valuable contribution to sl and it's great that Occupy SL is able to host it.
We're having our 4th GA meeting this week on Wednesday at 6:30pm slt. Meetings are going great. People have many ideas, a lot of energy, and want to contribute. I've talked to several artists this weekend and our very own, Trill Zapatero is wanting to pull more artists in to do a lot of art supporting Occupy SL. People have ideas for doing sculpture and machinima and I don't know what else. Along with this we are working on having an entertainment event every weekend in order to draw more people in and to bolster any demos, art, or other events happening that weekend. And of course, just to have fun ourselves. We had the Virtual Live Band performing last weekend and we're having a corporate zombie and blood-sucking capitalist vampire Halloween party this coming weekend.
We did a demonstration on a sim this weekend. It was the SL Stock Exchange. It was really just a good iconic image to demo at. The owner didn't see it that way though and ejected and banded us from the sim in the first 10 minutes! It was fast, but fun, and just what we expected. We then followed Miso Susanova over to the LEA Self-Curated Gallery sandbox where she is setting up an ows occupation of tents and media booth modeled after rl occupations. Here we all laughed and talked about what had just happened at the stock exchange place and about what to do next. Miso blogged more about it here: http://gomiso.blogspot.com/2011/10/occupysl-occupylea.html
More ppl are blogging about us and we had a sl talk show host stop by looking for a story for a show. I'm hoping at our Wednesday meeting we can focus on how to get the word out more deliberately and broadly about us...in sl and rl.
I can feel a synergy building in the group......

Fast and fun and just what we expected

noreply@blogger.com (Merriam Galaxy) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 13:29:00 +0000

The demonstration at CapEx went great today. Maybe a few more minutes to take more pictures would have been nice, but that's okay. The sim owner came (or was already there) when we arrived. We were very nice to him and tried hard to explain what we were about, but I'm afraid he took our presence there very personally and was upset from the very start. He kicked us all off within 10 minutes. :-)
As planned we all followed Miso over to the LEA Self-Curated Gallery (http://slurl.com/secondlife/LEA5/86/14/23) where she is setting up an OccupyLEA tent camp and info board. This is something I'm hoping we can duplicate and setup up at sandboxes and anywhere we can rezz it all over SL. :)
At OccupyLEA we all laughed and talked about what had just happened at CapEx. How do we make the message clearer and spread it farther next time. What more fun can we plan for SL? Things look exciting ahead.

JOIN SLLU ON FACEBOOK!

noreply@blogger.com (Plot Tracer) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:08:00 +0000

Click HERE

Let's get this occupation going down, comrades!

noreply@blogger.com (Plot Tracer) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:35:00 +0000

from Merriam Galaxy

Can we do one a demonstration/occupatioin this weekend? ppl have been talking about where and how to do it. Let's get together and make definite plans. 

And after that, let's talk about whatever else comes up.

Let's meet at 7PM slt
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Flagg/221/64/94

If you can't come to a meeting, can you make your ideas and feelings known? either by dropping a notecard to the group or posting on our facebook page

Occupy SL on Flickr

noreply@blogger.com (Agnes S.) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 17:14:00 +0000

Dil Spitz have set up a flickr group to share images and dropped some snappies of the supporting VLB concert
If some like to (co-)moderate please give him a sign.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/occupysl/

Occupy SL Featured in New World Notes

noreply@blogger.com (Scylla Rhiadra) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:25:00 +0000

The Occupy SL in Solidarity movement is the subject of a post in New World Notes:

http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2011/10/occupy-wall-street-second-life.html#comments

This is a terrific opportunity to get the word out to a more general audience! Drop by and add your comments in support of anti-corporate activism in Second Life!

Occupy SL has a Facebook page

noreply@blogger.com (Merriam Galaxy) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 08:11:00 +0000

Things are moving along...fast!
We had a great evening Friday night. Many ppl came and hung out and talked...and argued (thanks Lev for keeping the convo going with your simpleminded opinions :)

We had a good talk in IM chat, and many ppl are coming forth volunteering time and skills and making things happen. Thanks Calliope, mandy, Dax, Kel, any1, Tansy, caitlyn, and Trill...

Dax created a Facebook page for us. Check it out!

https://www.facebook.com/OccupySL

A Love Letter to the SLLU and SLLUFN

noreply@blogger.com (Scylla Rhiadra) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 20:03:00 +0000

It has been nearly three years since I first became involved with the SLLU and, soon after, the SLLUFN. At the time, I was still relatively new to Second Life, enjoying it for its social aspects, and still somewhat lost and amazed by the sheer novelty and magic of it all. It was a revelation to me that something that I probably still largely thought of as a “game” and as escapism might also serve as a platform for social justice, and political and social change. And indeed, as I became more intimately involved, the SLLU and SLLUFN came to seem much more even than that: they were my introductions to an extended community of the some of the brightest, most caring, and most passionately committed people it has ever been my privilege and pleasure to know.

Over time, my SL activist horizons expanded, with increasing involvement in Amnesty International-E, Four Bridges, and Stop Violence against Women; the latter in particular, founded by the astonishing Paty Amiot, supplemented my increasingly personal engagement with activism in-world and without. Always, however, the SLLU and SLLUFN felt most like “home.” It was here that my SLeducation in social justice, feminism, and activism received its greatest impetus. I don’t know that I’ve experienced, even in RL, an environment that was more intellectually stimulating, supportive, and positive. I don’t know where I’ve ever met such a group of caring and dynamic individuals. And I don’t know where I’ve ever learned so much as I have just talking and interacting with you all.

What have I learned from the SLLU and SLLUFN?

Well, I’ve learned that hope and a positive attitude towards change can make even the most indomitable challenges seem conquerable. I know this because I have watched you overcome such challenges.

I’ve learned that, as powerful a motivator as anger and outrage can be, the most powerful weapon in the arsenal of social change is love. I know this because I’ve experienced first-hand the compassion and love that motivate you all.

I’ve learned that one needn’t feel solitary in a world that sometimes seems overwhelmed by hate and injustice, and that there are others who do not merely care, but who are willing to step forward and make a difference. I know this because I was welcomed by you all from my first day in the SLLU.

I’ve learned that consensus is possible, and that no disagreements are ever so deeply rooted that civil discussion and mutual respect cannot bring about a resolution that acknowledges the views, aspirations, and concerns of all involved. I know this because the SLLU is “Left UNITY,” a place where all shades and degrees of progressive thought are welcomed and respected.

I’ve learned that one needn’t be a woman to care about what happens to women, gay to be appalled by homophobia, or an immigrant to be outraged at the injustices meted out to immigrants. One can step outside of oneself, and bring a passionate intensity to bear upon the injustices heaped upon others who are different than ourselves. And I know this because, more even than ideology, what motivates you all is empathy, compassion, and caring.

And most of all, I’ve learned from you all that Hope is not merely a glittering promise somewhere just out of reach, but rather a destination worth the journey.

I have come to understand over the last several months that my own time in Second Life is coming to an end. Commitments in that semi-mythical place, “real life,” have been increasingly taking their toll, and it has become more and more difficult to put the kind of commitment into my work with the SLLU and SLLUFN that I once did. I have felt, frankly, both guilty and depressed about this, but I have also come to realize that I can take what I have learned here, and apply it in new and, I think, exciting ways elsewhere. The SLLU and SLLUFN have been for me a kind a training ground, a university, and a caring family: you have equipped me to move on.

And for that, I owe you all more than I can say.

With much love,
Scylla Rhiadra

noreply@blogger.com (Merriam Galaxy) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:07:00 +0000

Here is a quick update before I head off to work today.....

We are having a General Assembly meeting this Sunday at 7PM. I've created a group called Occupy SL. We want to have as many ppl as we can come together and talk about what we can do in sl. Here is the group notice we have been sending out:

Subject: Occupy SL, general assembly this Sunday

Now is the time for the 99% percent to have their voices heard

We are opening a General Assembly following the model used in NYC and elsewhere. This will be an open forum and discussion with decisions by consensus. We want to plan Actions and Strategies for bringing awareness and participation around these issues in SL.

Please make every effort to participate by coming this Sunday at 7AM slt.
The group, Occupy SL, has been created, please join.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Flagg/221/64/94

.....We've been talking to lots of ppl and I'm expecting a big turnout :)

Also, I'm working on putting on a music event. The Virtual Live Band (VLB) has just agreed to come perform on Oct.15th. :))

More to come...........

Occupy Wall Street at SLLU - update

noreply@blogger.com (Plot Tracer) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:44:00 +0000

Update from Merriam Galaxy. Contact Merriam and Agnes Sharple inworld for more details.

Banks are burning at SLLU. Come on over! 

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Flagg/213/70/95

We have set up a space around the SLLU Stage with Occupy Wall Street posters, freebies, and things, and a large TV with bookmarked youtube videos. We're working on getting the OWS livestream video to work on it.

So we made a few notices and group IM announcements this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, and had a few ppl come by. We talked about ideas for getting more ppl. We're still thinking about bigger actions. And we are mostly thinking of doing one more music events soon. I've contacted VLB and I've talked to Kookie who does the Dick Sandwich punk show and they are definitely up for it.

Agnes and I then did a search on occupy wall street and found several other groups in sl that have formed. I left an offline IM with one group, and we had a fruitful convo with a guy in another group. He is doing a big art installation/competition around OWS. We introduced him to SLLU, he liked what he saw and wants to put the winning art piece on SLLU land. That group has a really good area set up promoting ows protests.

Anyway, that's the happenings so far.

Occupy Wall Street Second Life Solidarity!

noreply@blogger.com (Plot Tracer) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 08:41:00 +0000

Hey! We're excited about the Occupy Wall Street protests and all the solidarity events starting up. (follow the occupations on twitter with the tag #OccupyWallStreet)



We've set up a space around the SLLU Stage for ppl to gather and talk about it...info, posters, links, and live video feed (if it will work), and maybe we'll have some music (wanna come perform or dj?).



Let's talk about why the poor and working have to pay for a crisis created by the rich, let's talk about how to fight back, let's talk about what comes after. And...what can we do in sl?

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Flagg/221/64/94

Labor Day in SL!

noreply@blogger.com (Plot Tracer) — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 17:25:00 +0000

The fantastic Music Island are hosting Labor Day music! Click HERE for event details and SLURLs!

Feed A Smile!

noreply@blogger.com (Plot Tracer) — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 20:14:00 +0000

NOW thru Sunday 5pm SLT... Charity Art and Live Music Show for the Feed a Smile CHARITY... Kenyan Kids need your help... L100 to feed them a meal... C'mon Round and Help the World!!! Contact: Brique Topaz in world for details! Click HERE for a TP

Author, Owen Jones at Student Occupation...

noreply@blogger.com (Plot Tracer) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 07:08:00 +0000

On Sunday 22 August 2011, Owen Jones, the author of "Chavs; the demonization of the working class," visited the student occupied Hetherington Post Grad Club in Glasgow. This video is an hour of a much longer conversation that was led by Jones.

Get yourself some Socialist R&B...

noreply@blogger.com (Plot Tracer) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:18:00 +0000

I reviewed Thee Factions previous album At Ebbw Vale, HERE and will review their new album Up the Workers OR: Capitalism is good for corporations; that's why you've been told socialism is bad all your life, in the coming days.

In the meantime, if you would like a free copy - I have one to give away! To claim it, send me one sentence on how you are fighting capitalism, to plottracer@googlemail.com. The winner will judged by me to be the person who has a suggestion that we can all take up and use. Ends 18 August.

Have you got what it takes...

noreply@blogger.com (Plot Tracer) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:31:00 +0000

... to help run (and build) Sl's ONLY hub for lefties?

SL Left Unity NEEDS YOUR SKILLS to continue into 2012.

SLLU has been in SL since 2006.

Contact Plot Tracer (in world or via email - plottracer@googlemail.com ) for details on how you can help - or turn up at the Red Star Bar 2am PDT this Friday!!

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Flagg/211/13/114

About SLLU

noreply@blogger.com (Plot Tracer) — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 18:29:00 +0000

Olza Koenkamp, an SL activist, sent some questions to me. This is the first few – Olza has said there may be more at a later date. I thought I would publish these answers for other members to read and perhaps help open discussions and debate with the wider membership/ anti-capitalist left across SL.

1. Why did you help form this group (SLLU) on SL?

This group was formed back in 2006 when Second Life was rarely out of the press.

In RL, I am a member of a Left Unity group – the Scottish Socialist Party, which is generally recognised as one of the most successful projects in Left Unity in the world; using a general statement of aims and principles for the left to unite behind. It was thought that SL might be a platform to promote such a way to unite the left using SL, across the world.

Ever since, SL has stagnated and not been used quite in the ways that were predicted back in 2006 (or at least, as widely as first anticipated). SLLU recruitment, although still rising in ACTIVE members, has slowed because of many of the political people who were initially attracted to SL leaving during the period between 2007 and now (the reasons for the departure of these people are many-fold, and should be a topic of study of those who study VR and its platforms – I have my theories, but these can be explored in a further article in the future).

This recruitment data is shown in the fact that every year, we “cull” our membership by deleting avatars from the group who have not logged in to SL for 2 years or more. At one time we had around active 700 members; now we have over 400 (across 6 groups – the main one being SL Left Unity (the others being SL Left Unity Artivist Network; SL Left Unity Feminist Network; SL Left Unity LGBT Network, SL Left Unity Songs for John Doe and SL Left Unity Unity Hub). Although there is cross membership – there are some people who join only one of these groups. Analysis of membership of these groups show our active membership to be around the 450 mark.

Therefore, SLLU’s objectives have moved *slightly* from recruitment and forwarding a proposition of left unity to the new SL and SL public in general, to now concentrating on ways and space for those, like academics and artists using SL, to forward an education programme that brings anti-capitalism back to the mainstream as it once was until the late 1990’s.

Although this is a slight objective emphasis change, it does not replace our original aim of connecting with ordinary users; it does, however recognise, that our places of learning and creativity (eg Universities) HAVE moved further away from the discussions around envisaged alternative systems of social organisation. This is in stark comparison to academia and “artivism” of the mid 1800’s through to the late 20th century, where these subjects would have been the common topics of discussions at all levels.

Your question:

Why not organise on a different virtual world or in a different platform, for example some place only for chatting?

There are many “Left Unity” discussion forums and groups on net 1.0 and some net 2.0 applications, eg blogs; facebook and yahoo groups. My own internet early 2000’s experience was on yahoo groups and I have taken some of the successful aspects of that experience to inform how SL Left Unity has been promoted; for example, trying to encourage as much cross cooperation and OWNERSHIP in the central hub of SLLU for as many people and groups as possible across the anti-capitalist left spectrum.

SLLU *could* branch out to opensim or "Inworldz" – and perhaps a few of us need to engage there (I have an avatar in both) – and I, as well as other people involved in the running of SLLU are open to that.

Other platforms such as Twitter, have their own idiosyncracities that do not allow a wider participation and although SLLU does have a twitter account, it is used only to retweet other members contributions to twitter or promote SLLU events (though the use of the twitter account has been intermittent).

2. Has SLLU made some real influence? Have You made some impression on some RL institution or any other RL consequences?

Yes we have. We have helped (and indeed catapulted the issue into the mainstream media) with chasing the French Front National from recruiting in Second Life and we also did the same for a RL/SL IBM strike in Italy which, because avatars were able to infiltrate a meeting of RL CEO’s, led to the resignation of IBM Italy’s CEO and the strikers winning the working conditions they were fighting for.

We have also helped with university studies on the use of SL in left/cooperative education etc.

However, I feel the real influence we have had is with individuals – with activists sharing experiences in RL that have encouraged others to go on to find RL groups they are comfortable with. Our biggest success is helping others engaging and shaping their RL world.

Examples of a huge range of activities that have in some way influenced RL are on our blog that has been running since 2006. We also have an archive on our Flagg sim, maintained by RL student (as part of a RL college course) Jamesdekens Resident.

Recently we ran a 12 hour music and comedy festical in aid of RAWA.org and raised over $500USD.

3. What are the main aims? I am not asking about aims of Left organisations in general, but especially SLLU.

(Our charter and Aims and Principles are here - http://slleftunity.blogspot.com/2011/02/sllu-charter-and-aims-and-principles.html )

See answer one. I think to summarise and add to that answer:

To bring together anti-capitalist left activists into a hub where they can cooperate in activities across their particular ideological differences (eg, socialists, anarchists etc uniting in work to propote and raise awareness of the Greek uprisings of 2009/10 or on the Israeli government crimes in Gaza). People and groups can unite on educational projects – and can agree to disagree on various solutions.

Each individual or group can take a view outside SLLU on, for example a one or two state solution in Gaza, but can cooperate on educational “demos” or installation showing the Palestinian peoples plight.

What people have to understand is that SLLU is a place to listen to differences and to work on similarities.

Disagreements are fine, so long as people can accept others have a different view and that the best way to promote your difference, is to do so comradely. It is through thesis and antithesis we reach synthesis – or it is through sharing experiences we both learn and teach.

4. Would you move SLLU from SL to other platform?

SLLU won’t be moving FROM SL – but could have similar groups with aims and principles in other metaverses- which will happen.

YARD SALE FOR RAWA!

noreply@blogger.com (Plot Tracer) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:33:00 +0000

SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Four%20Bridges%20North/69/83/25

Any funds SL Left Unity receive over L$50k will go to the RAWA.org fund, which will be handed over to RAWA.org for RL educational projects in Afghanistan in mid August. RAWA is an Amnesty International supported NGO, set up by women of Afghanistan.

SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Four%20Bridges%20North/69/83/25

Come to our yard sale - loads of great quality items for cheap! And ALL proceeds go to RAWA.org to help in educational projects in Afghanistan.

The RAWA fund, stands as of today at L$132k - over $500 USD/ £300. $1 pays for a childs education for a month - so come on, help in this education revolution in Afghanistan!

SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Four%20Bridges%20North/69/83/25

To donate to RAWA - please visit the YARD SALE where there are fantastic quality cheap stuff and freebies! Or give a payment to the RAWA funds avatar, inworld, to RAWAFUNDIE Resident.

SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Four%20Bridges%20North/69/83/25

Josjoha on the D.A.V.I.D economic model

noreply@blogger.com (Plot Tracer) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:05:00 +0000

From yesterday's Discussion in the Red Star Bar

[2011/07/06 09:56] josjoha: 5 minutes to economics class: what is wrong with capitalism, and how to fix the system through application of democracy and distribution of power. 10:00am SLT, Red Bar, Flagg (scripted lecture & discussions).

josjoha: Farv, are you here for the lecture ? If so we can start if you want to.
josjoha: Be advised that these chats get published on SLLU and perhaps elsewhere. If you do not want your chat published, please let me know and I can erase you from the log.
josjoha: Farv, I'm fine with only doing it for one person, however let me know if you want it or I assume that you are here for other reasons.
josjoha: hi [.........], howdy
josjoha: Are you here for the chat & lecture [.....] ?
josjoha: Hi Tim
Tim Mersereau: er folks

josjoha: _ _ _ Thank you for coming to this class in 'real economics'. The 'chat-lecture' text is preceded by '_ _ _'. Agreement with what is taught here is not assumed, understanding what is meant is the only objective.

josjoha: _ _ _ Please, open a new notecard, so that you can write your questions into it.
josjoha: _ _ _ I am not your enforcer, if you want to chat through the lecture, go ahead. If you need less chatter, feel free to demand it :).

We can then afterwards discuss them all at length, or you can send them to me and I will do my best on them !

josjoha: _ _ _ * PART I: how does trade work (this is mostly common knowledge already, watch for '*** PART II ***' if you already know this) *

josjoha: _ _ _ - What is wrong with capitalism ? –

josjoha: _ _ _ One look at the world, and the failure of the ruling system is painfully obvious. understand its failure, we have to go back to the roots of the system: trade, ownership and tyranny.
- Trade, what is it at its most simplest ? - It is giving something for something: I do the dishes, if you fix my bike. I get the children from school, if you go get a new sun screen. You get 5 of my fish I caught, if you give me 2 and a half of those breads you baked.

- Where did it all go horribly wrong ... -

Cute as the trade model is, allowing every individual to inspect what he gets for his work, the suffering under its rhetoric since the
middle ages has been dreadful. Where did it all go wrong ?

josjoha: _ _ _ Compare the following trades to the ones mentioned:

josjoha: _ _ _ Compare the following trades to the ones mentioned:

"I own this land from the mountains to the sea, you will farm here but I will take 50%, and occasionally rob you blind when I feel like it."

"I will forgive you your debt, if you become my slave for life."

"I will give you a mortgage on your business factory building for 35% anually, get some wageslaves together and get them cranking already, we can both get rich on this deal."

"I will not cut your throat, if you give me your wallet."
josjoha: _ _ _ - Not all is well in the world of trade –

Robbiboy Rossini: if he makes a final deal...he should really think at it...or he is lost

josjoha: _ _ _ Can a defining trait be identified that makes a trade proper ? The ruling system has held that it is mostly a problem of consent: if both parties consent to a trade, it must be proper. That is an insufficient understanding of trade.

josjoha: _ _ _ - How does the larger trade system function ? –

If it becomes harder to catch fish, there will be fewer fish on the market, and the costumer competition for it will be greater driving the prices up.

Robbiboy Rossini: but he should be end the trade without being kicked in the ass or go into prison...

The fisherman spends 3 times longer on catching one fish, but will - roughly speaking - get 3 times more for it, while a number of fishermen will go bankrupt and have to divert to another line of work.

Over time the system balances itself, but that is not the end of the story (unlike 'the capitalists' like to portray it, so they can continue to profit from their abuses of power.)

The effect of market prices balancing work, is distorted greatly by power concentration.

The baron who owns all land can ask any price for rent, since there is no competition.

The boss of the big business can suck in all the created wealth that everyone worked hard for, because he is the tyrant of the group and his/her whim is law. The market for new businesses is cornered by investment capital, which is most profitable where labour gets squeezed the most, because profit equals turnover minus costs.

Labor rights and wages count as costs in a tyrannical business, not as profits !

The decision making party in a business sees the labour force as chattel, the less it costs him, the more he and his financier will earn.

Which financiers will grow riches in a model that allows free investment of money ?

josjoha: Who has an idea what 'kind' of investors get to dominate ?
josjoha: Company profit = income - costs, and labor wages is 'costs' .... so .....
[...................................]

If the wage of the laborer is the enemy of the company profit, and the company profit is the loot for the banker and the investor ...

Robbiboy Rossini: the people of a company itself

josjoha: Corporate investors is right also

James Ready (enhanced): shareholders specifically

josjoha: because they are professionals, the 'know where to invest'

josjoha: yes, and specifically what kind of them ?
josjoha: in terms of ... morality ?

josjoha: Good point Calyps, the professionals, big corps; but what kind ?

josjoha: Well it's fairly simple i thought: the ones who invest where labor is abused.

[........] [........wealthy investors..........]
[........] [.............who use politically weak people.............]

josjoha: The ones that invest in plantations in Guatamala, where ppl work for whip lashes and nothing.

Robbiboy Rossini: with the most knowledge

josjoha: In other words, to put it crudely '''the assholes''' between them. They get to dominate !
josjoha: yeah, the 'professional asshole' basically

josjoha: Money can buy anything, even politicians. Money is greatly powerful. More and more powerful because it builds and builds over the decades... And it is not in good hands, and therefore we are in trouble (at least on this count)... They seek out where people get abused, and put their money there. The ones that are good ? The nice ones ? They invest in good causes, nice labor, union stuff. But they won't get rich off of it !

Therefore they get outcompeted by 'the assholes' ... sadly.

Robbiboy Rossini: the problem for me is which kind of things do we use for buying things except money?...
Robbiboy Rossini: changing?

josjoha: Hold that thought, I"ve copied your question...
Robbiboy Rossini: metalls silver gold?

josjoha: _ _ _ [The most tyrannical and abusive companies, who also have the greatest market turnover, the most costumers that is.]

Robbiboy Rossini: go back to that basics?
josjoha: Good question Robbi

Robbiboy Rossini: metal is money in a way

josjoha: though not exactly what is covered here - metal money can certainly work, especially in a primitive society, but even today

josjoha: yes... continuing...

Robbiboy Rossini: ok

josjoha: _ _ _ *** PART II ***: solutions (now for the more interesting part!) *

josjoha: _ _ _ - Solutions –

josjoha: Robbi, we'll get back to the money question at the end, ok ?
josjoha: got to keep it moving a bit
Robbiboy Rossini: ok

josjoha: _ _ _ The problem at its principle is simple: concentration of power produces concentration of wealth that is not worked for. This then seems it needs an equally obvious remedy: the distribution of that power to all. How ?
josjoha: Remember the baron, he got all the 'land power'
josjoha: The banker has all the money power

The corporate owner has all the management 'bossy' power.

So they get rich, by using that, and using that to make 'bad' unfair cut-throat 'trades.'

josjoha: _ _ _ - D.A.V.I.D. model -

How to defeat the baron land owning feudal lords ? Give everyone an equal piece of land for free !
Those that do not want to be farmers can rent it to those who do, causing the market for soil rent to have many givers and many takers, rather then just one or a cartel of feudal lords.

How to defeat the industrialist owner, the 'owners of the means of production', a business is a tyranny ?

If everyone has land, then the power of land-ownership is no longer concentrated. We are going to 'fracture' even splinter all these powers, and give them to the people.

How to defeat the industrialist owner, the 'owners of the means of production', a business is a tyranny ?

right mind can accept such an affront ?! Are we chattle ?

No: we can come together in the businesses as well, and decide on the course of action and the all important division of the spoils of work together.

Farv Hallison: This sounds like the Henry George Single Tax Plan.

josjoha: Farv, ty, copied for later...

josjoha: _ _ _Turn it into a democracy, a free floating group in the markets. For a nation the same is true on a larger more extreme scale.

No more oligarchy, no more plutocracy, no more monarchy and its feudal lords: the people rule through law and vote.

josjoha: _ _ _ How to defeat the ... banker ?

josjoha: _ _ _This is perhaps the subtlest of issues, because making a loan is a consensual act.
josjoha: just in time to put banking behind us

James Ready (enhanced): sounds like libertarianism

josjoha: _ _ _ However free investment credit rules clearly do not work, not just because the bankers have managed to overtake the printing of the currency, or drive the nation off the cliff with their lending games that the politicians they bought engage in.

josjoha: James, it can be, however you can see a democratized business with its own land as .. a commune, then it is communism, too

josjoha: _ _ _During the industrialization it was more then obvious that banking is a menace on its own through it's financier games. Libertarianism has so far not called for democratization of companies, or distribution of land ... or socialization of investment credit ... or an absolute pepole's democracy.

So ... i think it is a little more promising - i sure hope so.

It can not be anything but a menace eventually, because it has to follow the rules of profitability.

It can not be anything but a menace eventually, because it has to follow the rules of profitability.
josjoha: * we are at half time, does anyone want a break ? *

The financiers financing those are the ones that end up dominating.

josjoha: battling on ..

josjoha: _ _ _It is an eventually inescapable effect, if at least business tyranny is allowed for them to invest in.

Then eventually the economy has to concentrate its power into a few hands, merging businesses into bigger and more abusive conglomerates until even the entire world is in their hand. The solution to this can be a combination of prohibiting lending for profit, and to install a non-profit investment system, which can either be coupled to the national Democracy, or vetted private 'good cause' type venues. It should also be noted that investment credit can be nice for an upstart, it is not absolutely necessary. I would hope that 'socialized investment credit' will also liberally (heh) invest in democratized businesses ... after all the ppl control it through the vote, they can demand it.

josjoha: _ _ _ - Summary -
josjoha: _ _ _ The ills of the economy come from concentration of power.

Trade in its most simple barter form is not a problem, it can and does work. But a trade system leads naturally into a money system to make it more efficient, and then the lending game may occur. If the society allows tyrannical businesses or other nefarious methods, that is where the loans will give the greatest returns, and through those holes society will end up dominated by the few for their own selfish and criminal gains. who invest in the abuses of the labor class are not good people, they are bad people.
josjoha: bad people ! ; ) Hence society ends up dominated by the money power in the hands of bad people. That is where the wars and tyranny really starts, as they attempt to choke the people and bring them under ever greater control.

we need to combat power concentration with its opposite: power distribution !

To distribute the power of Sovereign Government to all in true people's democracy: Democratic Authorities.

To turn businesses that for whatever reason loose their starter, to become internal democracies ! This way we do not hurt the ability of people to start up a new business, get it going and provide it with discipline, keeping the markets dynamic with the new initiative needed to equalize prices on labor amounts for all. Democratic Ventures.

josjoha: So you allow all kinds of businesses to start, both democracy groups, and single-boss types. Some ppl may need that !

But ... as the busines starter leaves, it goes to labor by law (unless it is tiny).

That way the markets will be dominated by democracies.

And tricks with 'we are a conglomerate of independents' are not recognized ...

To turn private finance into non-profit finance, and to leave the markets to their own ways rather then dominating them with finance: Democratic Investments.

distribute the soil - not wealth but opportunity - to all, as an inalienable birth right. To be more correct: 'natural resources' who are easily distributed. Democratic Demarcations (raw resources distribution).

josjoha: _ _ _ * PART III: in closing *
josjoha: _ _ _The economy will be rounded off by acknowledging certain sectors are innimical to competition, such as the infrastructure, the rail ways, the fact that the medical sector is largely not functioning well under an (exclusive) trade system.

Sectors of productivity that are inherent monopolies or for other reasons do not function under trade, should therefore be nationalized. We can deal with the threat of impossible competition from wage slaves in other nations by erecting tarrif walls around the national economy. We will be a little poorer for it, but more stable and more just, and keep our industries alive. There are a thousand and more issues about economics, but this is probably already more then should have been attempted in one hour. How exactly to democratize the businesses ?

josjoha: _ _ _What is wrong with a plan economy ?

_ _ _ What is wrong with a global Government ?

How does one expect to nationalize finance, won't that give power into the hands of an already corrupt Government ?

How to democratize the national democracy anyway, is what we have the best we could do ?

plement these changes, it is not like the enemy will recognize the truth and roll over ?

A Leninist 'vanguard' attempt at Sovereignty through civil war ?

_ _ _ The 'social democrat' tactic of muddling on 'in the institutions' without much direction ?

Imperialist war by the capitalists against all Sovereign revolutionary initiative, how do we deal with that ?

All these things and more belong in a rigorous training/education about economics, and each issue deserves a lengthy debate between positions.

issues and many wore are addressed on http://www.law4.org also (free for the cause).

josjoha: _ _ _ The system of Democratic Authorities, Ventures, Investments, Demarcations is worked out in a ready to go new Constitution, as a way of showing that such a model can be practical. The idea from this end is to have that Constitution ratified in enough nations to prevent Imperialist war on the Revolutions. This Constitution also has an innovative and extensive new model for the national Democracy. It is all meant to reduce corruption and exploitation. Feel free to make your own even better DAVID Constitutions ! Let me know so I can enjoy your work !!!
josjoha: seriously
josjoha: have a go at it !

Also presented for your consideration is an extensive system to implement the changes. If you want a lecture on that: ask !

Feel free to get more talk on these subjects at 'heavenly serenity' every Sunday, 10:00am to 11:00am SLT, see you perhaps there.

For all who managed to absorb all that and stay here (wow!), thank you for your time !!

josjoha: _ _ _ * Part IV: questions, discusions *
josjoha: thanks
James Ready (enhanced): do you think corporate lobbying should be illegal?
josjoha: turnout is beyond i had hoped for

josjoha: James, okay we're now in the questions section...

Farv Hallison: yes, but how do we stop it since the corporations have freedom of speech.

josjoha: _ _ _ First a round of questions to get the meaning clear, then a round of remarks and disagreements for the ol' political fistfights !
josjoha: _ _ _ Questions about Part I (how does trade work, and how it does not), anyone ?

Farv Hallison: how do you assert political power when the corporations spend a billion of your dollars on propaganda?

josjoha: all that was pretty standard, but added is the uhm ... power question, and investment credit danger, though the marxists already had that, too

josjoha: Farv, in the model I propose, you elect someone with 50 persons, and it won't be easy to 'lobby' something that small

Frederica Lexenstar: I came in late and am reading to catch up, so this may be a stupid question. But...is all soil considered to be equal? Everyone gets the same amount, no matter whether it is fertile, near water, near transportation, etc?

josjoha: In the Constitution is also a law against bribes, and politicians keep logs of 'gifts'
josjoha: Frederica, excellent question: the equality is on perceived economic value

josjoha: That is not easy to do, but it is the best one could do i guess

josjoha: _ _ _ Questions about Part II (solutions: National democracy, democratized companies, socialized investment, land distribution, trade), anyone ?

Robbiboy Rossini: sam amount of money in the basics for a person
James Ready (enhanced): illegal aliens contribute to dragging down American’s wages, do you have any thoughts on that

josjoha: James, in the proposed model the borders would probably be closed

josjoha: to protect the labor market - though it is up to the ppl to decide of course

Frederica Lexenstar: companies that hire desperate people at below minimum wage drag down our wages, not undocumented people

josjoha: James, it seems to be another aspect of capitalist games against the people / labor
James Ready (enhanced): most of those are undocumented people

josjoha: the unions here claim we should have 'equal pay for equal work' so that immigrants do not drag it down - but no chance of that happening

Frederica Lexenstar: are they?

??? MADDI (madison.gyranaut): it isn't illegals dragging down american wages.. its corporations!!

josjoha: chinamen ! :)

josjoha: I have heard that the USA has engaged in great hostility towards middle america in general, and that is driving these ppl north as well

James Ready (enhanced): as far as democratized companies, are you suggested it be mandated by law for companies above a certain size?

??? MADDI (madison.gyranaut): and it isn't as if illegals are paid well enough.. they are enslaved!

josjoha: The american corporations want a cut-throat climate in the economy
josjoha: the illegals are really the worst victims in it all
josjoha: imho

josjoha: _ _ _ Remarks and disagreements about Part I (how does trade work, and how it does not).
josjoha: _ _ _ Remarks and disagreements about Part II (solutions: National democracy, democratized companies, socialized investment, land distribution, trade), anyone ?

josjoha: _ _ _ Remarks and disagreements about Part III (...), anyone ?
James Ready (enhanced): democratizing of private companies would be law?

josjoha: James, in this model it would be Constitutional law, yes

josjoha: [quote] the problem for me is which kind of things do we use for buying things except money?... [/quote]

Farv Hallison: The opportunity for change comes when the present system is collapsing...here is a description....

James Ready (enhanced): America used to back its money with gold until the federal reserve bank began printing it for us

BrotherJim Jonesford: lots of peopel today

josjoha: In the model i am proposing for consideration, we would use a government fiat paper/electronic currency; but there is a limit to personal wealth at 30 times average of the nation.

Farv Hallison: http://fora.tv/2009/02/13/Dmitry_Orlov_Social_Collapse_Best_Practice
josjoha: Brother, yeah

BrotherJim Jonesford: personally I perfer the Share Our Wealth Society method

josjoha: Gold, silver, even 'tally sticks' can also be used for money

BrotherJim Jonesford: why should anyone be rich?

josjoha: indeed brother, don't ask me

BrotherJim Jonesford: if all resources were reallocated we could all live comfortable live styles

josjoha: the question of money is very interesting and important, but moving on a bit ...
josjoha: Brother, i think so, yes
josjoha: with all the technology we have ....

BrotherJim Jonesford: there are actual examples of this

josjoha: [quote]Farv Hallison: This sounds like the Henry George Single Tax Plan.[/quote]
josjoha: Brother, feel free to share

BrotherJim Jonesford: the Hutterites are a prime example of socialism in a pratical sense

josjoha: aha, Farv, what that : )

BrotherJim Jonesford: they all work together
BrotherJim Jonesford: they all share
BrotherJim Jonesford: they all do business together
BrotherJim Jonesford: they all profit
BrotherJim Jonesford: they live quite well

josjoha: Anyone having writtin downa anything, or whatever, put the boxing gloves on and let's debate

josjoha: _ _ _ [[ end ]]

James Ready (enhanced): I'm at work so I'd better not haha

josjoha: The chat is published, who wants to be scrubbed please tell me.

BrotherJim Jonesford: I dont mind my words being used

josjoha: okay that's that, thanks everyone for coming, i really really appreciate that !!

BrotherJim Jonesford: I just think to create a socialist system one should look at pratical solutions to achieving it and people who have been doing it for 100's of years

josjoha: Brother, what you wrote makes me think of the native north American Indians

josjoha: Brother, sounds like a good plan, who you have in mind

BrotherJim Jonesford: I do not know what they believe please inform me

josjoha: they have for example the idea that land cannot be sold, and they share that with ancient Israel, who also used a distributive system for land

BrotherJim Jonesford: ah yes
BrotherJim Jonesford: the church in acts also had the same concept
BrotherJim Jonesford: they sold everything
josjoha: they gave the land to each family a part, and you could lend it away until the next 50th year..
BrotherJim Jonesford: and had a collective treasury
BrotherJim Jonesford: perhaps the reason I sound like them so much is my ideas are thoughts are similar to ancient israel

josjoha: yes, and ancient Israel also had prohibition on rent seeking loans, actually that is quite common in history

josjoha: Aristotles was against rent seeking

josjoha: Mozes law, the Torah ('old' testament...)

josjoha: Islam, the jesuscult, all was against that

josjoha: The native indians who run casino's in America, they run them on a tribal base
josjoha: Everyone works, everyone shares in the profits.
josjoha: It is an example of democratized business !

Laslopantomik Yao: we should all open eyes, people are starving and die more then ever and markets are happy to see greece and portugal ruin one day and take benefits in stocks next... its all a chaos... im very pesimistic about whats to come

josjoha: And if one indian had too many blankets, a sort of currency, they would give it away.
josjoha: A maximum on wealth, by choice.
josjoha: Historical precedents ...

Robbiboy Rossini: need to go ...thx for these informative things

Laslopantomik Yao: sorry to get in middle but i really think power got the plan to make earth sink in a 1984 model, we are getting in it

josjoha: so ... feel free to talk and stuff, i'm eyeing the 2nd half of a pizza here ...

Laslopantomik Yao: to start i think all the very poor problem should be solved
Laslopantomik Yao: im very concerned about that
josjoha: exactly
josjoha: the rest ... oh well
Laslopantomik Yao: all the rest is very very intresting and needed
Laslopantomik Yao: i find your speech very good and necessary
josjoha blushes
josjoha: i have a website on this

Laslopantomik Yao: but really, i find that the ones who rule have a plan for the next 1000 Laslopantomik Yao: yes but they are wining, just see how bad its getting
Laslopantomik Yao: a drastic turnover is needed
josjoha: they are, and i'm trying with my plan to turn that around, take the initiative for the ppl
josjoha: http://blogger.xs4all.nl/joshb/archive/2011/07/05/664904.aspx

josjoha: but chat log is a bit... more stuff in between
Laslopantomik Yao: We need a Che-Ghandi-Einstein
Laslopantomik Yao: maybe its you!
josjoha: yeah i guess so
josjoha: but you don't need *me* only the plan, only that
josjoha: it's all written down, and then it needs ... you

josjoha: i thought i'd look like a half fool with nobody showing up, but we had a crowd, and made friends too
Laslopantomik Yao: thats ultracool, i understand that but normal people dont care abouts and dont have time for that
Laslopantomik Yao: i think this kind of thnking should be spread

josjoha: i know ... but if things do not get fixed, things will go wrong
josjoha: i think so too Laslo
josjoha: i do whatever i can, maybe you can do what you can
Laslopantomik Yao: but the system is made make this never grow

[2011/07/06 11:31] Laslopantomik Yao: i mean all is contrary to real justice to the mankind

Economics Discussion 10am Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Plot Tracer) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:22:00 +0000

Josjoha Explains Economics

7/6 10:00 a.m.

1 hour at Red Star Bar SL Left Unity www.slleftunity.com on Flagg

...and HIS solution to the present imbalance of economic power. Come listen, learn, discuss, debate.