[IGDA_indies] more opinions on the value of the IGDA (esp.forindies)

[Ted Southard]

This discussion reminds me of that commercial where the guy is choking and
people are sitting around talking about how to help him, but it takes
someone else to actually do it.

In other words, my view of the IGDA, based on the subscription to this
mailing list, is all talk, no action. Talking about schedules and who's view
is what and papers and calls for submission-blah-blah-blah-blah-blah...

Who cares? I mean, really, where has all this organization gotten anyone? I
haven't walked away from this mailing list with any knowledge yet. I gave up
on the IGDA website a long time ago, and especially where money was
concerned. What's the money good for? That "legal defense fund" people are
calling the IGDA? If the IGDA's legal reflex is anything like this, then I'd
rather throw myself on the mercy of the court... Or a salted pike, as if it
makes a difference.

Ted Southard
DigitalFlux Entertainment, LLC
Ted at DigitalFlux.com
http://www.DigitalFlux.com


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brandon J. Van Every" <vanevery at indiegamedesign.com>
To: "Indie SIG mailing list" <indies at igda.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2004 3:29 PM
Subject: RE: [IGDA_indies] more opinions on the value of the IGDA
(esp.forindies)


> Jason Della Rocca wrote:
> >
> > The IGDA has a very clear mission and mandate to build community and
> > advocate on issues relevant to developers.
>
> This was decided 1.5 years after I joined.  This focus you describe is
> very recent, and it remains to be seen how well it works in practice.  I
> am concerned that the IGDA does not have an effective paradigm for
> mobilizing volunteers.  It seems that "The Agenda" is more important
> than taking what is offered.  If I were running the show, I would
> concentrate on harnessing labor for whatever.  Not arguing against
> courses of action.  In my experience with other grassroots
> organizations, getting the volunteers pumped up is far more important.
>
> The core difference in our philosophies, Jason, is you view the IGDA
> like a business and I view it like a volunteer nonprofit grassroots
> organization.  In the latter world view, the constituents are
> everything.
>
> > The IGDA is a defined entity, it is not a clean slate
> > or sand box that is up for definition.
>
> That's baloney.  The board proposes that a focus is needed, a straw poll
> is held, not many votes are cast, and the board says "ok, this is what
> we are."  To think that you're going to unfold your organization forever
> and anon on that basis, without further input and refinement from your
> constituency, is silly.  You didn't get a mandate set in stone, you got
> a good plan for now.
>
> As a betting man, I'll wager that 'legal defense' always remains a core
> focus, since what's needed is easily fungible.  I bet 'building
> community' will permute quite a bit.  We've had arguments about how
> anything could become 'building community' if it was pitched the right
> way to the right people.
>
> > (Do members of a non-profit cancer patient support society
> > complain that
> > the organization is not addressing the needs of AIDS
> > patients, or should be doing more to feed the homeless?)
>
> I wouldn't speak quickly on such issues in ignorance.  My friend Daniel
> died of AIDS, and he had cancers mid to late in his illness.  I also
> don't think he was a certain goner.
>
>
> Cheers,                         www.indiegamedesign.com
> Brandon Van Every               Seattle, WA
>
> 20% of the world is real.
> 80% is gobbledygook we make up inside our own heads.
>
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