Mikkel Fishman

Team Culturing Information

last updated: 17. June, 2011

WHO are you?

• Name - Mikkel Fishman and Crystal Antes

• Location (city, country) - Motueka, New Zealand

• Contact Information (email, phone, Skype) - mikkel (dot) fishman (at) gmail (dot) com

• Introductory Video -

• Resume/CV -

Mikkel:B.S. Computer Science Case Western Reserve University
Programmer for Naval Research Laboratory doing visualization of oceanographic models
Programmer for Case Western Reserve University building analysis platform, developing algorithms and grant support
Crystal: B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Case Western
M.S. Physiology, Case Western
Technical trainer for Philips Medical
Manager for lab projects
Sales experience

WHY are you motivated to support/develop this work?

• Do you endorse open source culture?

It depends on the aim and nature of the project. This is a perfect use for it due to the foundation of distributed manufacturing and design in a low capital environment.

• Why are you interested in collaborating with us?

Concerns about peak oil and increasing lack of independence have us interested in developing resilient technologies that support communities and increase levels of self-determination. There are many ideas out there but GVCS is the clearest path.

• How do you think that the GVCS can address pressing world issues?

We fear that climate change and peak oil will cause permanent changes in civilization during our lifetimes. These changes do not have to be entirely deleterious but there is a high likelihood that the lack of any alternative will cause panic, anger and eventually violence and worse environmental impact. If GVCS can help play a role in getting out in front of these issues and demonstrating that there is a constructive path forward, it could help alleviate some of these problems.

• What should happen so that you become more involved with the project?

More guidance on what is being asked of external participants.

• What are you missing in the project?

Organizational and project management seem to be lacking. It is difficult to tell how people that aren't at the Factor e Farm can help. It is also very difficult to tell the current stages of projects.

• What are your suggestions for improvement of the project?

Have suggested some ideas here:http://forum.opensourceecology.org/discussion/comment/1327Also think that business support -- although it seems very early to think about that sort of thing -- could be very beneficial. There are many ideas out there that could work in a GVCS context and if there are some promise of tie-ins outside capital and help may flow in to flesh them out.Also question whether the 50 technologies should be seen as absolutes as they are right now. Perhaps have an open process for suggesting new technologies and have better separation of what is done internally at Factor e Farm and what is seen as valuable partnership with existing project?

WHAT

• 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

Mikkel:
Communications: instrumental in securing several NIH/VA grants through collaboration on grant and paper writing.
Organizational: managed small group to create expandable analysis platform
Computer support: web experience, framework development experience
Crystal:
Communications: Technical trainer for 3+ years for Philips Medical.
Sales experience.
Product Design: Led design team to create prototype of superior crutches support

• How have you already contributed to the project?

Initial contact with Elifarley led to the post above.

HOW can you help?

• How are you interested in contributing to the work of GVCS development?

We are initially interested in helping on the organizational and project management side. Crystal has experience and ideas on coordinating project members and generating sufficient documentation for future use. Mikkel has experience architecting and developing expandable frameworks. We think that a software suite shared across projects could help both internal development and increase outside interest.

• Can you volunteer to work with us, and if so, how many hours per week?

Perhaps, it depends on the nature of the work and how well it is coordinated. Perhaps working as an editor.

• 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?

Yes, we can provide both technical and organizational consulting. Fee would be subject to negotiation.

• Are you interested in Dedicated Project Visit?

Yes, at a TBD date.

• Are you interested in purchasing equipment from us to help bootstrap development?

Not directly, but we may know people that are.

• Are you interested in bidding for consulting/design/prototyping work?

Yes, we have wide engineering and scientific backgrounds so we could play support roles from specifications to documentation to infrastructural development and publicity.

• Are you a True Fan? If not, why not?

No but we'll certainly think about it.

• Would you like to see yourself working with us on a full-time basis?

Yes, at least for a while. We have a good slot in our lives to be committed to seeing this go forward on an organizational level.

• Are you interested in using the technologies that we are developing directly?

Yes very much so. We are starting to work with Atamai Village here in New Zealand. They have a lot of interest in deploying these technologies.

• 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 - as a beacon of light to benefit of all people on Earth.

Perhaps, but would need much clearer picture and aims.