[New-imc] Re: Arguments for a subject-based IMC

[torstein]

Chuck0 wrote:
> Recently, I made a proposal to set up a subject-based IMC called 
> "housing.indymedia.org." There is a long-standing bias in the Indymedia 
> network against subject-based IMCs, which has always appeared to this 
> activist to be a fairly vacuous policy. One subject-based IMC 
> (climate.indymedia.org) has been created, although that project was 
> controversial. Other subject-based IMCs have been proposed, but none 
> have seen approval or implementation.
> 
> Our proposal for housing.indymedia.org was made because we felt that 
> there was an unmet need that IMC could meet in regards to housing 
> activism. This project is not being made because local IMCs are not 
> doing a good job on this issue--many of them are doing outstanding work. (...)

I agree with chuck0 there's a need for "subject IMCs". Just let me
first define what i mean by a "subject IMC".

A "subject IMC" is an indymedia frontpage/portal to IMC content for that
given subject. Today there are hundreds of IMCs but very hard to find
stuff on e.g "housing" or "forest activism" without going through all
the local IMCs in a more or less random way.

Thus, a subject hub for e.g "housing" is a great idea.

My suggestion is that should be implemented *not* as a "new-imc"
application from a group of "housing" enthusiasts forming a collective
in the regular way that all IMCs come to life. Instead, and because
there is a considerable need for reform in the way IMC works also for
other subjects, a system should be agreed upon that would make it
easy to base "subject IMCs" on RSS feeds from local IMCs.

A strong argument for this is that both "housing" work and "forest
activism" work needs to be done and reported upon locally, and then
the existence of a local IMC is, i think, essential.

Another pro for the RSS based "subject IMC" system, is that once
a "housing IMC" has been established based on RSS feeds, this will
encourage more local IMCs to single out "housing" as a sub-topic,
so that the stories posted there will be syndicated to the global
"housing IMC".

And PS: The "tech work" involved for making such a system is very
limited. Mostly it's a matter of agreeing upon a few standards of
how the content should be syndicated, what "subject code" to use etc.

-- 
torstein of indymedia.no

"Efficient and enduring terrorization can be achieved only either
by capital punishment or by measures to keep the relatives of the
criminal and the population in the dark as to the fate of the crimi-
nal. This aim is achieved by transferring the criminal to Germany
... The prisoners are, in future, to be transported to Germany
secretly, and further treatment of the offenders will take place
here; these measures will have a deterrent effect because:

A. The prisoner will vanish without a trace.

B. No information may be given as to their whereabouts or their fate."

(Field Marshall Wilhelm Keitel in a communication on
the Nacht und Nebel-decree, issued December 7, 1941)