Robert Holder
Team Culturing Information
WHO are you?
- Name: Robert Holder
- Location (city, country): Westminster, Colorado, USA
- Contact Information (email, skype, phone)
- Picture
- Introductory Video
- Resume/CV:
WHY are you motivated to support/develop this work?
- Do you endorse open source culture?
I guess out of gratitude for all the free software tools I have used in my life, and out of respect for their makers. And because it creates a climate where the people who have the knowledge make the design decisions, not some roomful of marketing wonks.
- Why are you interested in collaborating with us?
Actually, I'm a "true fan", and just wanted to support the OSE effort! :-)
I immediately recognized what Marcin was doing and why when I saw his TED talk. I think it's a great idea, and it's about time somebody made a real effort to try to approach this problem.
- How do you think that the GVCS can address pressing world issues?
It's an exciting take on this problem, and one I don't believe anyone has tried yet. It may give the ability for a certain kind of person to demonstrate that the default path through life in Industrial Culture does not need to be the only one. But it will only appeal to certain kinds of people, especially at first. Maybe it makes me a "bad person", but to be honest, I don't spend as much time thinking about "pressing world issues" as I once did. I really just want to use the time I have left on this Earth as wisely as I can, and by my reckoning, that is really about focusing on the things I can affect: my wife and the people I am loyal to. Whether that makes me a cynic or a realist remains to be seen.
- What should happen so that you become more involved with the project?
- What is missing in the project?
It's great that you guys are focusing on funding so you can keep moving forward, but I would suggest that you should spend some energy trying to find some lawyers who would be willing to do some pro bono work for you, specifically on anticipating liability issues, if you haven't already done that. You might get in touch with the DPW people at Burningman, they have quite a bit of experience with volunteers coming on-site, and the issues there, including experience with injuries and people getting killed onsite, if I was informed correctly. I can think of other concerns, but I haven't thought them through well enough to discuss them at this time. email "site at burningman dot com" and they can put you in touch with whoever is in charge of DPW these days, and maybe they could give you some helpful tips on this. I am no longer involved with burningman in any way, and I had some friction there with one of the officers, so if you do contact them, it's probably better to not mention my name... that was years ago and they probably don't remember me anyways. :-)
Oh yeah, one thing that occurred to me when I used to daydream about starting something like this: getting in good with the locals near your farm is obviously a good idea. Having a summer barbeque or picnic or something for just locals, getting on the local volunteer fire department, donating surplus food to the local foodbank or schools... whatever you can do to make the locals happy you are there is a good thing, and that goodwill may be money in the bank down the road.
- What are your suggestions for improvement of the project?
"Never, never, never, never quit." -- Winston Churchill :-) You guys seem to be very sharp, and focused on execution. You have clearly given this a lot more thought than I ever did, so I can't say I have any brilliant suggestions at this time, but if I think of anything I'll contribute.
WHAT are your skills?
- List all of your skills in these areas: Communications - Organizational - Computer Support - Finances - Design - Natural Building - Electronics - Automation - Metallurgy - Engineering - Fabrication - Agriculture - Energy - Architecture - Video/Graphics/Art - PR/Marketing - Education - Construction - Industry - CNC - Chemistry - Product Design - Other
Unix Systems Administration, TCP/IP Network Engineer, ten years. Really rusty these days though. Wife and I tried to start an online business, which ultimately failed, but was a big learning experience. Hobbyist level familiarity with auto mechanics, electronics, ceramics (art not engineering), carpentry, soldering, welding... home DIY stuff. My grandmother maintained a quarter-acre food crop on her ranch when I was a kid and I helped with that one summer. On the down-side, I am overweight and out of shape now... however I am trying to remedy that. :-)
- How have you already contributed to the project?
Well I signed up for the True Fan thing. Not much but every bit helps.
HOW can you help?
- How are you interested in contributing to the work of GVCS development?
Not sure at this time.
- Can you volunteer to work with us, and if so, how many hours per week?
No, not at this time.
- Are you interested in working with us for pay? If so, what services can you offer, and what is your hourly or per-project rate?
I don't want any money from you.
- Are you interested in a Dedicated Project Visit?
Possibly in the future, not at this time.
- Are you interested in purchasing equipment from us to help bootstrap development?
Possibly in the future, not at this time.
- Are you interested in bidding for consulting/design/prototyping work?
No.
- Are you a True Fan? If not, why not?
Yes.
- Would you like to see yourself working with us on a full-time basis?
Possibly in the future.
- Are you interested in being part of the world's first, open source, resilient community? The GVCS is the preparatory step for the OSE Village Experiment – a 2 year, immersion experiment (2013-2014) for testing whether a real, thriving, modern-day prototype community of 200 people can be built on 200 acres using local resources and open access to information? We are looking for approximately 200 people to fill a diverse array of roles, according to the Social Contract that is being developed. This may be the boldest social experiment on earth - a pioneering community whose goal is to extend the index of possibilities regarding harmonious existence of humans, ecology, and technology.
Interesting and I will give it some thought.