Where open meets co-op
The exploitation of temporary, freelance and out-sourced workers is a serious issue. As companies get bigger and more powerful, and operate through platforms which distance them from their stakeholders it is getting easier for them to abuse their workers. This abuse manifests in a number of ways but one which is very close to our hearts is the way that full time workers … [Read more...]
The OPEN 2019 Community Gathering will feature a selection of lightning talks explaining ideas and solutions that support the development of the collaborative, regenerative economy. Join us to tackle the calling question: How can we support each other to take more effective action to catalyse the collaborative, regenerative economy? Secure your place at OPEN 2019 … [Read more...]
This superb discussion about Platform Co-ops entitled "What happened to the future?" was the plenary at the recent event "The People's Disruption" at the New School in New York on the 10th of November 2017. The panel session features an introduction from Camille Kerr (Associate Director at The ICA Group) and is moderated by Douglas Rushkoff (author of many books on digital … [Read more...]
Watch the videos from OPEN 2017 - The two day conference on Platform Co-ops, organised by The Open Co-op on the 16 - 17 February 2017. We will be uploading more videos to this page as they are ready so check back again soon... OPEN 2017 - Introduction Oliver Sylvester-Bradley introduces the OPEN 2017 - Platform Co-ops conference, highlighting global temperature rise and … [Read more...]
If you've ever wondered about how a new, collaborative, sustainable, democratic economy might work the new book 'Ours to Hack and Own - The rise of platform cooperativism, a new vision for the future of work and a fairer internet', is for you. UK orders only: Discount price: £10 + £3 P&P - Please contact us for orders to other countries The book … [Read more...]
Technology is disrupting outmoded industries at an unprecedented rate. As the gyroscopic effects of the neoliberal model wobble out of control Paul Mason suggests the end of capitalism has begun and even the IMF is questioning whether their capitalist agenda was a 30 year long mistake. This article analyses how platform businesses disrupt industries and suggests how emerging … [Read more...]
Douglas Rushkoff is a writer, documentarian, and lecturer whose work focuses on human autonomy in a digital age. He is the author of fifteen bestselling books on media, technology, and society, including Program or Be Programmed, Present Shock, and most recently Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus. He recently authored a chapter of the new book on Platform Co-ops Ours to Hack and … [Read more...]
In 2015, Nathan co-organised “Platform Cooperativism,” a pioneering conference in New York, which kick started a wave of global discussion about online democratic platforms. He recently co-edited the book, Ours to Hack and to Own: The Rise of Platform Cooperativism, a New Vision for the Future of Work and a Fairer Internet. In the run up to the Open 2017 - Platform Co-ops … [Read more...]
Just like traditional co-ops, platform co-ops are organisations that are owned and managed by their members. While traditional co-ops are normally based around a physical community of members, platform co-ops live online and are normally populated by online communities of members. The word ‘platform’ is often used to describe an internet service which brings together suppliers … [Read more...]
What are ‘Platform Co-ops’? Platform cooperatives are online organisations which are owned and managed by their members. Platform co-ops follow the principles of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA). They are democratically governed and support the development of informational and material commons. They provide a viable alternative to the standard internet model based … [Read more...]