BarnCamp 2019 workshop proposals

See this page for an Example Barncamp Workshop Entry.

Avoiding paywalls to access academic research publications

Proposed by

Mark

Time

1-2 hours

Level

Ability to use Tor Browser

Resources

Projector and screen. All participants to provide own laptop

Number

5-10 people

You will:

• Explore some of the free repositories of scientific publications on the internet
  • sci-hub
  • libgen
• and tools like unpaywall
• discuss different ideas about ownership, propriety and freedom of information

• remember Aaron Swartz and some of the other people who have made this possible
• Could we set up a live link (or similar) with Alexandra Elbakyan to express our appreciation?
• if time permits, discuss how to carry out a systematic literature review using these resources

Ensuring Public Accountability Using Blockchain Technology

Proposed by

Darren Rhodes

Time

To be announced

Level

Anyone interested in politics and computing science. Anyone with political experience that they could share.

Resources

People with the technical skill to talk about block chain and the feasibility of the proposed project.: People with the political experience to suggest ways of campaigning to make this happen.

Number

Anyone who wishes to attend.

You will:

Here is where I need your suggestions as to how this should be done ...

• This is an initial call for expressions of interest.
• If you can contribute to this proposed discussion, please do so via this wiki.
• If you know someone who you think may be able to make a contribution, please forward this part of the wiki to them.
• If there is sufficient interest ... see you in Wales.

Background

• Local Council Accounts are available for inspection for two months in the year after they have been finalised by the local authority in question. The National Audit Office supplies a Rights Guide to Local Authority Accounts [pdf]detailing who has the right to inspect the accounts and what to expect.
• I think that by using blockchain technology we could produce access to local authority accounts in real time for anyone in the world. This transparency could and should be extended to other parts of public spending.

Scuttlebutt install fest

Proposed by

Sam

Time

1 hour

Level

All

Resources

Bring your own device - Mac/ Win/ Nix / Android (No iPhone client yet)

Number

up to 10 people all huddled round a couple of laptops

You will learn how to install a Scuttlebutt client on your phone or laptop https://www.scuttlebutt.nz/

• For Android there is https://www.manyver.se/
• For computers we'll use patchwork
• The adventurous may try other clients https://www.scuttlebutt.nz/applications

Extinction Rebellion: Radical Reformism, or: Ideological Impurity FTW

Proposed by

Naomi

Time

At least an hour

Level

No tech involved whatsoever

Resources

Projector and screen, if I get around to making any slides, otherwise nowt

Number

Unlimited (can split into groups for discussion if needed)

You will:

• Hear me go on about:
  • How XR is a coalition of radicals & liberals, revolutionaries & reformists
  • Why that is the key to its success, and probably also its undoing
  • Civil Disobedience vs Direct Action - a subtle distinction, but deep
  • Why Green & Black Cross have told them to fuck off
  • Why the Anarchist Movement hates it but many anarchists love it
  • Why it's absolutely pointless trying to improve their security culture

• Discuss the above things, and whatever else people have to say on the matter
• Have a big argument
• Drink cider afterwards and make friends again.
• (It will be better than my talk about Greece, I promise! It can't very well be worse).

Tai chi

Proposed by

Frederica / Brent

Time

Hour sessions, optionally repeating/continuing on different days.

Level

All abilities welcome.

Resources

Comfortable clothes, water to drink.

Number

Unlimited

Details

We can informally facilitate a tai chi session, potentially including:

• Tai chi warm-ups
• Qi-gong exercises
• Standing qi-gong
• Beginning of a tai chi form
• We might improvise non-lethal swords to try out some sword form.

Alternative firelighting

Flintsteel

Proposed by

Brent

Time

30-45 mins

Level

All

Resources

Bring any firelighting tools or knowledge.

Number

Unlimited

Details

We can explore firelighting techniques such as using a flintsteel (see picture).

This is a good time of year for fire with the summer solstice (21 Jun 2019 16:54 BST) traditionally featuring fire.

Possible reading

The Golden Bough: A Study of Magic and Religion by James George Frazer

Chapter 62. The Fire-Festivals of Europe and Chapter 63. The Interpretation of the Fire-Festivals. Optional: Chapter 64. The Burning of Human Beings in the Fires

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/3623

SAS Survival Handbook: Camp craft: Firelighting by John ' Lofty' Wiseman

https://archive.org/details/SasSurvivalHandbook/page/n273

lp0 on fire

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lp0_on_fire

Beginners Privacy

Proposed by

Sean

Time

60 mins

Level

Beginner

Resources

Laptop if you want to try out what you're learning

Number

Unlimited

Details

Introduction to PGP (later in the weekend we can have a key signing party!)

Possible reading

https://network23.org/ttfa/booklet

Informal chat about tech co-ops

Proposed by

Naomi & Leo & Calix

Time

At least an hour

Level

No tech involved

Resources

Projector and screen, if any

Number

Unlimited

For

• Anyone thinking of starting or joining a co-op
• Anyone with experience to share
• Anyone else interested!

You will:

• Hear about our experiences working in a tech co-op
• Discuss the values and principles of co-operative working
• Look at different forms tech co-ops can take
• Or whatever we all feel like talking about on the day!