[sudo-discuss] [omni-consensus] [backspace] Re: [BAPS-Organizing] Re: Backspace Space proposal

Tue Oct 21 11:27:11 PDT 2014

So, to clarify is Backspace going to be asking for 3 "dedicated" rooms, one
of which will be the disco room now run by OmniDance?  If they are
dedicated solely to BWC I don't see how the comment about BWC and BAPS
co-"administering" the space fits.

> In our next proposal iteration we will seek a trial period for these rooms
> of 3 months. At this point, everything is conjecture. Is it too much space,
> is it too little? Will it feel like a welcoming place for those seeking
> wellness? Will BWC and BAPS get along in administering the space, does the
> ADA lift need to go in, etc.
>
>
>
>
>
> margaretha anne haughwout
> uncli*que* <http://beforebefore.net>, disconnect
> <margaretha.anne.haughwout at gmail.com>
>
> On Tue, Oct 21, 2014 at 1:31 AM, David Keenan <dkeenan44 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hello everyone,
>>
>> After reading through all the responses on this I am hearted by the
>> support for Backspace and how far it has come. I am obviously in total
>> support of a wellness collective at the omni, and personally have over the
>> last year spent a lot of time working *extremely* hard specifically on
>> this point in pretty much every way I could - since we got this Omni thing
>> going, I have probably worked harder on making backspace a wellness
>> collective than any other group including BAPS. Actually Backspace, before
>> you are disheartened by the concerns that must be aired in this current
>> process, I think its fair to say Backspace has over time been more nurtured
>> and gotten more support from the rest of the OOC than any other group, in
>> spite of the financial commitment issue. I thank my lucky stars that
>> Margaretha in particular has made unbelieveable effort to get wellness into
>> backspace, and make backspace awesome. Andrew deserves a huge amount of
>> credit for his patience, generosity and incredible flexibility really with
>> respect to Backspace's evolution and mission.
>>
>> However, I am not in support of this proposal as it is currently
>> articulated for one reason: With respect to the use of space, I think it is
>> *too* limiting for Backspace, and at the same time it also has
>> unnecessarily negative and significant downstream effects for others,
>> especially any other group without dedicated space (community groups, etc).
>> The 'den' in particular in my view should not be privileged to any one
>> group.
>>
>> Why? Well:
>>
>> Backspace can *already* use *all* the currently-common spaces in the
>> Omni for its intended consultations, classes and events, not just
>> privileged use of this or that room. In this way, as Don actually pointed
>> out in a way, the current proposal outlining all the specific rooms they
>> want privileged use of versus not, actually *limits* the space Backspace
>> already has at its disposal - and it limits it for others too, since
>> especially those without dedicated space are as a result conversely
>> unprivileged (and left presumably to fight for the scraps of remaining
>> 'commons' that they can then have their own privileged use over). It's a
>> funny sort of forest-for-the-trees occlusion of how space can be
>> effectively used that's going on within the proposal I think, but it's a
>> serious one because it speaks directly to the heart of what a radical
>> commoning of space is and shapes the very concept of what 'sharing'
>> equitably means, at this crucial axis of praxis right now.
>>
>> Currently, *without* Backspace;s proposal for new dedicated/privileged
>> space, Backspace could schedule yoga or martial arts classes in the
>> ballroom, or the 'den' room or, with OMNIdance's permission, the disco room
>> (who have already offered this resource to Backspace in several delegate
>> meetings).
>>
>> One-on-one Backspace consultations can *already* be had in the 'eyeball
>> room', the ticketbooth room once it is finished, or TIL's old room (aka
>> kids room aka 'Storage 1')... or OMP's basement rooms, or the 'bunker room'
>> (aka plotting room), etc.
>>
>> Regarding locked rooms, I have talked with Margaretha several times in
>> the past about the need to lock up sensitive tinctures and supplies, and
>> from what she told me they could be locked up in a cabinet, and would not
>> need to take up a whole room. Likewise we talked about locking up massage
>> tables and so on, and figured out places where they might safely be stored
>> that would not leave a whole room empty and unavailable for people to meet
>> in when it was not used. In other words there does not appear to be a need
>> for a locked room, when there can simply be locked cabinets or lockers.
>> (This is very similar issue to what came up initially with the RLL
>> proposal.) Given this, if we all treat the rooms in our Commons with
>> respect as we should, why can't this be an Omni 'members' only area along
>> with the rest of the building?
>>
>> Yes, all these common spaces and rooms must currently be scheduled and
>> shared with other collectives. But I don't understand why this is bad? or
>> something that would 'stymie' Backspace in any way at all.
>>
>> To me it is rather a huge amount of space for Backspace, far more than
>> they had in their initial commitment (since collapsed) for $2K/mo. If in
>> fact we as a commons run out of space for a wellness collective to operate
>> along with the rest of us inside of 22K sq.feet, massive areas of which are
>> still shared and available for precisely such purposes and with that intent
>> all along, it will be precisely *because* too many rooms and spaces are
>> being taken or edge out of the what is commonly available and allocated to
>> or 'privileged' for specific people.
>>
>> That this staking out of space was *already happening* is probably why
>> Backspace is so worried about not having any space, leading them to stake
>> this claim with such urgency. Backspacers, I feel I understand this fear
>> very well, and believe it or not is why I counterintuitively proposed that
>> BAPS have a bit of space for its own 'privileged' use. As all those at the
>> BAPS meetings when I proposed this to BAPS can attest, the BAPS proposal
>> was articulated from the start as a conspiracy: Actually BAPS wants the
>> remaining common space including all the space BAPS proposed for its
>> supposed privileged use, to remain in common *for everyone*. If the
>> proposal passed, we would ensure that it would remain common as we always
>> have (and currently continue to do by not having dedicated space and
>> demonstrating how this is not just possible but effective). If the BAPS
>> proposal didn't pass, we would hear objections within the OOC from people
>> saying "no, it's important to have a commons and shared space", and that
>> would be a win also for the commons - in that others would begin advocating
>> clearly for the virtues of shared space, articulations which in our view
>> was sorely needed from others, not just BAPS. I realize now theres a
>> commons working group which is *amazing*, but there wasn't then, and I
>> got tired of seeing proposed floorplans without BAPS or any shared commons
>> aside from the ballroom even on it.
>>
>> The allotment of space, time and rent in the omni should to my mind be
>> based on not just one group's needs and abilities, but the needs and
>> abilities of everyone else in the commons, too: It should be inherently
>> relational, not territorial. There is no demonstrated need for Backspace to
>> have dedicated or privileged use of room X or Y, especially when they can
>> use every common room in the building along with their comrades.
>>
>> If Backspace gets so popular that they do run out of rooms to schedule
>> comfortably with other groups who are also here and have a right to them
>> too, why not deal with that problem when we get to it? Too much business
>> doesn't sound like that bad of a problem to have. I see no good reason why
>> we can't all share space *equally*.
>>
>> The downstream effect here is that carving up the remaining common space
>> will and has already led others to be inclined to do the same thing,
>> instead of sharing as equals, and then there will only be a 'commons' of
>> like 2 rooms in the whole building, and as someone who cares about the
>> commons and the health of the whole project more than just any one group in
>> the project, that concerns me most. To me this sort of fear is exactly the
>> kind of 'hypothetical' anti-pattern that Yar talks about, and a fear that
>> becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy in that acting on it by staking out
>> space away from the commons actualizes the problem itself - maybe not for
>> backspace anymore, but certainly for others like BAPS, or all the other
>> community groups at large without any space at all who we would like to
>> meet here and for whom I thought this space could be a resource.
>>
>> I say this as someone who fought and worked *very* hard for the concept
>> of backspace as a wellness collective - incorporated backspace, signed the
>> lease for backspace, defended backspace's previously-chosen dedicated space
>> at many many meetings and one on one - and most importantly implored my
>> community and everyone I knew with an interest in wellness to participate
>> and make it happen.
>>
>> I care far too much - exclusively practically - about the wellness of the
>> *entire* collective and the effort as a whole in its mission as a
>> commons. Through the input of many people whom I love and respect, I
>> realized that I needed to actually care less about this effort, and care
>> more for myself. With a bit of distance I can say that I now speak with a
>> sense of love and appreciation for every group including Backspace, but
>> beyond any one group, its that for this to remain a commons, we should try
>> to operate from a space of radical sharing before deciding in advance that
>> it would never work.
>>
>> Love,
>> David
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Oct 20, 2014 at 5:16 PM, margaretha haughwout <
>> margaretha.anne.haughwout at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> This is really wonderful everyone.
>>>
>>> THANK YOU <3 <3 <3
>>>
>>> margaretha anne haughwout
>>> uncli*que* <http://beforebefore.net>, disconnect
>>> <margaretha.anne.haughwout at gmail.com>
>>>
>>> On Mon, Oct 20, 2014 at 3:08 PM, Donald Hughes <kamiyodojo.ca at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>    So what I am hearing is that we are all supportive of each other.  I
>>>> hear general consensus on Backspace being able to schedule time in the
>>>> Dance Room, the Den, and the downstairs space next to the lift.  No one
>>>> wants any one else to not be able to have access to these spaces, but we
>>>> would like the ability to begin scheduling in these rooms. I hear people
>>>> not being opposed to the idea that we get the EyeBall room and that it is
>>>> lockable.  So it seems as though we have the rudiments of agreement.
>>>>     Nikki, I would like to address what you are asking for.  We need to
>>>> have something certain to give to other professionals who would like to use
>>>> the space for healing or classes.  This has not yet manifested, so it is
>>>> difficult to tell you exactly what the time and space looks like as of
>>>> yet.  My goal would be that we have this mostly fleshed out by November
>>>> 1st, and have everything totally solidified by December 1st.
>>>>    But what I think we can do in the meantime, is offer basically our
>>>> proposal.  Which is to have scheduling power over 50% of the Den.  But we
>>>> also want to be able to schedule time in the other spaces in conjunction
>>>> with the other collectives who want a say in those spaces.  To my mind it
>>>> seems fair that when we schedule something in other spaces we give up some
>>>> of our scheduling time in the Den.  But none of this is worked out.  I just
>>>> think this is something that could be fair and will work.
>>>>   In order to move forward on a Nov1st start date for the clinic, we
>>>> would need the ability to schedule time at least in the EyeBall room, which
>>>> I would like to start calling the clinic room.  We would need this ASAP as
>>>> it will take a process to get new members who are willing to pay money for
>>>> space to do their practices.  I hope this helps us to move forward.  Note
>>>> that these are my opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of
>>>> the rest of Backspace.
>>>>
>>>> Thank you everyone,
>>>>
>>>> Don
>>>>
>>>> On Mon, Oct 20, 2014 at 4:07 PM, niki <niki.shelley at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Agreed! Thank you, Yar!
>>>>>
>>>>> I also want to assure everyone involved that my bringing up issues
>>>>> around money is meant only to make the material realities of this project
>>>>> visible, so that there are no surprises and to encourage member groups to
>>>>> be explicit about what they can and cannot contribute. It's important that
>>>>> we reconfigure our expenses to reflect changes in member groups
>>>>> contributions in order to accurately project our needs.
>>>>>
>>>>> That said, I had a conversation with Margaretha some time ago in which
>>>>> I said that having Backspace involved in the Omni was way more important to
>>>>> me than their financial contribution.
>>>>>
>>>>> I know it's very hard for us to talk about money. I am hopeful that we
>>>>> can be clear and open so that we may begin to
>>>>> replace feelings of shame, anxiety and anger around money with
>>>>> feelings of compassion and support.
>>>>>
>>>>> I LOVE BACKSPACE and really want to help support it in coming into
>>>>> being in whatever way I can.
>>>>>
>>>>> <3 <3
>>>>>
>>>>> N
>>>>>
>>>>> On Mon, Oct 20, 2014 at 11:25 AM, Sara Larsen <
>>>>> saralarsenyoga at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> I want to thank you Yar for this incredible letter. Needless to say,
>>>>>> I support the views you expressed 100%!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Mon, Oct 20, 2014 at 8:40 AM, Scott Nanos <scott.nanos at gmail.com>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I agree 200% w/ yar and hope we can come to a conclusion that works
>>>>>>> for all of us (particularly for backspace). I can't come to this thurs
>>>>>>> meeting but my fingers are crossed double crossed triple crossed. Hoping
>>>>>>> Baps and backspace can team up to become champions of the commons <3
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Xo
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Scott
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> > On Oct 20, 2014, at 8:28 AM, yar <yardenack at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>> >> On Thu, Oct 16, 2014 at 12:58 PM, yar <yardenack at gmail.com>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>> >> It's not your fault, it's not anybody else's fault either. I
>>>>>>> really
>>>>>>> >> hope the confusion isn't interpreted as bad faith or a lack of
>>>>>>> >> support. We all need to get better at that, of course, but also
>>>>>>> get
>>>>>>> >> better at forgiving each others' mistakes, in the spirit of
>>>>>>> jubilee.
>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>> > I want to just reiterate this in light of the past few days of
>>>>>>> > conversation. I have heard a lot of different narratives about what
>>>>>>> > happened with Backspace over the past few months. I don't claim to
>>>>>>> > know exactly what happened anymore, but it seems to boil down to a
>>>>>>> > huge string of communication failures that resulted in Backspace
>>>>>>> > paying for space to operate, yet having no space until now.
>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>> > At Thursday's meeting, the subject of past-due utility bills came
>>>>>>> up,
>>>>>>> > but it seems apropos to mention that lots of Omni groups have not
>>>>>>> paid
>>>>>>> > utility bills, or even rent, and one of the amazing potential
>>>>>>> things
>>>>>>> > about Omni is our capacity to be a non-evil landlord - each
>>>>>>> according
>>>>>>> > to their ability and their need.
>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>> > It's clear that most backspace folks are WORKERS whose primary
>>>>>>> concern
>>>>>>> > is being able to see their clients and students and make a living
>>>>>>> > wage. It's also clear to me that the primary benefit of having
>>>>>>> > Backspace at Omni is NOT the money they'd bring in, but the new
>>>>>>> > people, energy and perspectives. It would REALLY SUCK if we lost
>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>> > that by fighting with them over money.
>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>> > Other than money, the only other concern I'm hearing about this
>>>>>>> > proposal is about space. While I have expressed concerns about
>>>>>>> > "enclosure" in the past, Backspace's plans for the den or "storage
>>>>>>> > room" are NOT enclosures. They're stewardship of commons. This is
>>>>>>> > exactly the model I always dreamed of for our building!
>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>> > Finally, there's BAPS. I think it might help to separate BAPS'
>>>>>>> > pragmatic need to host many evening classes from BAPS' position as
>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>> > roving "nomadic" group without dedicated space, and both from the
>>>>>>> > concept of "enclosure". Because it seems to me like Backspace's
>>>>>>> > pragmatic needs are similar to BAPS - to assemble in spaces and
>>>>>>> occupy
>>>>>>> > them for a finite period, for classes and 1-on-1 sessions. So what
>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>> > the ways we can frame this as a collaboration rather than a
>>>>>>> > competition?
>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>> > I think these problems would get solved a lot faster if we were all
>>>>>>> > able to trust each other, the best path to building trust is for
>>>>>>> > Backspace to begin operating at the Omni ASAP, and the best way for
>>>>>>> > that to happen is to show support and forgiveness all around.
>>>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Let us be together,
>>>>>> Let us eat together,
>>>>>> Let us be vital together,
>>>>>> Let us be radiating truth,
>>>>>> radiating the light of life,
>>>>>> Never shall we denounce anyone,
>>>>>> never entertain negativity.
>>>>>> -- The Upanishads
>>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>
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ceremona at gmail.com
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