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Blog PostsMOSS
By Collin Harris at Sep 28, 2011 |
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I feel like the Z facilities could be used for much more collaboration, and could actually function as an incubator for a new alternative media landscape in the U.S. and around the world. It is a great way for us all to network and develop ideas and projects for the future, as I'm sure you're all busy with your respective pursuits. I met many Z supporters at ZMI 2010, and since then have been developing the rough outlines for a new countercultural multi-media platform. Since the Z community has provided me with invaluable resources for living in this world, I hope its supporters will be enthusiastic about this new project.
A new publication, online and (hopefully) in print, that can serve as a vehicle for exploring and developing autonmous social movements for the 21st century. MOSS, or the Movement of Syncopated Souls, is the name of this new project based in Portland, OR. It grew out of discussions between myself, friends, family, and my experiences at ZMI. More generally, this project is very much a commentary on existing society, as well as on those forces within society that are most likely to change it. As for the name, we feel it captures the essence of the project.
First and foremost, as a project based out of Portland, MOSS is meant to evoke the Cascadia vibe of the Pacific NW. Moss literally covers our landscape, and grows by the spread of its spores. It is beautiful, natural, fertile, and thrives in the right conditions. Naming our publication MOSS is also intended as a jab at Rolling Stone, that once-great incubator and chronicler of counterculture and rebellion. "A rolling stone gathers no moss..." goes the original motto, but the Rolling Stone of today bears little resemblance to its original form. Just try reading one.
The M for "Movement" is intended to convey our desire to build effective movements for radical social change in the 21st century. The Syncopated part of the title is intended to evoke our affinity for culture, music, media, the arts, etc....as forms of critical and creative engagement, indeed as the essence of human expression. Syncopation refers to an interruption in the regular, normal flow of rhythm. In music, syncopation refers to rhythms which deviate from the standard succession of regularly-paced beats, by stressing the normally unaccened beats. We see this as a useful metaphor for how movements can function within society. Movements are like the unexpected rhythms that disrupt the ordinary flow of society. Movements are deviations from the normal, smooth functioning of the system, which depends upon the unfettered expression of particular social rhytms--greed, violence, domination, manipulation; and the absolute suppression of other social rhythms--love and happiness, freedom, cooperation, solidarity. We disrupt it by amplifying those social forces that are usually dormant, or to keep with the metaphor, unaccented within the prevailing social rhythm. The Souls part of the title identifies a point of unity, a basis on which we can transcend our differences while still recognizing the value of our diversity, a common human thread upon which we can build a new world.
It is an attempt to synthesize the experiences, forms of expression and creativity, insights, strategies, and goals of what we can call the activist, radical Left and the much broader bohemian counterculture. The radical Left is explicitly political in nature; activism, organizing, direct action, civil disobedience, media work, writing, speaking, etc. All essential tools for effective movements for social change, but not the type of work everyone can do, or would even want to do if they could. For many good people, particularly within youth countercultures, leftist work has lost its appeal by imposing on itself a creative, aesthetic, and sensual poverty that is limiting and self-defeating. Just beyond the core of the Left is an array of much broader countercultures, rooted in the music and the arts, dissociative lifestyles, independent culture, autonomous space, and passionate, sensuous living. Within and between these two currents, potential alliances abound. MOSS hopes to forge such alliances in the years to come. We feel each offer what the other lacks.
I'm writing to you in search of collaboration. First and foremost is submissions. MOSS is looking to publish a mix of analysis, commentary, opinions, satire, humor....articles, dialgoues, interviews, graphics/photos/images, poems/lyrics, rants/ravings, book/music/art reviews, headlines, reprints from other media, videos for the web, any and all forms of media. I'll be reaching out to some of you invidiually in hopes of doing dialogue/interviews on the movements exploding around the world, and how we can cultivate more effective movements in the U.S.
If anyone is interested in helping with editing, writing, design, layout, web design/coding, or any other technical skills to offer, let us know!!!
Please reach out to us if this is something you're interested in. And please, forward this along onto your listserves, social networking sites, friends, and family!!
--MOSS
Glad to hear it
By Administrator, Site at Sep 30, 2011 20:21 PM
I just saw this - congrats and best of luck. If there are things you think I and Z may be able to help with, let us know. As to there being much more potential for collaboration in our facilities I very much agree with you. It has been a bit frustrating that it hasn't happened as much as we hoped it would. That is why we are working toward a release of ZSocial quite soon. As you know. we tend not to give up. Hopefully ZSocial will provoke gains of the sort both you and I hope for...
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Re: Glad to hear it
By Harris, Collin at Oct 01, 2011 01:28 AM
There's enormous emounts of creative, often militant energy concentrated between SF and Vancouver B.C. There's a quote from the Invisible Committee that I think is useful, something to the effect of "Traditional politics can not stop the advance of the desert, because traditional politics is part of the desert." I think this touches on a prevalent countercultural sentiment, one certainly I share. So people don't see their pursuits as political per se...whether its urban gardening, cooperative businessess, or independent music labels and bookstores. I'd much rather spend my time building a commuinty garden or starting a radical magazine than attend a traditional protest march or rallly. People are intersted in manifesting their own realities, not waiting for elites to make concessions or modify their policies. I'm not saying we shouldn't protest and occupy financial centers or public squares, but we could certainly get more creative and militant in how we do it.
On my wall to Occupy Potland General Assembly, protest scheculed for October 6th. Hope the Rose City radicals dont disappoint.
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Sounds promising
By Roblin, Stephen at Sep 29, 2011 19:33 PM
I look forward to learning more about MOSS.
"For many good people, particularly within youth countercultures, leftist work has lost its appeal by imposing on itself a creative, aesthetic, and sensual poverty that is limiting and self-defeating. Just beyond the core of the Left is an array of much broader countercultures, rooted in the music and the arts, dissociative lifestyles, independent culture, autonomous space, and passionate, sensuous living. Within and between these two currents, potential alliances abound. MOSS hopes to forge such alliances in the years to come. We feel each offer what the other lacks."
I agree with you about the potential here. I've met plenty of "Bohemian" types who are very radical in their beliefs, just not politically engaged. There's no reason why that can't be overcome.
I'd be happy to help by writing, though I'm not sure the topics I'm writing about now (US relations with Horn of Africa countries) fall into the purview of MOSS.
Is there a formal relationship between MOSS and Z?
Best,
Stephen
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Re: Sounds promising
By Harris, Collin at Sep 30, 2011 03:25 AM
Living on the West Coast is interesting, and particularly in Portland, people tend to live more progressive day-to-day lives than other parts of the country. There is a strong DIY spirit to the city has a relatively vibrant community committed to indepdent culture. I think the energy is here for an active movement of young people building alternative institutions and autonmous spaces. OccupyPortland is coming up, so maybe that will bring people together and be a springboard for more projects and activity.
MOSS is hopefully going to take form in the Winter, the theme being Winter in America--an homage to the late Gil Scott Heron. I want to have a website and print issue completed by the end of the year, then move into regular online updates and seasonal print issues. It's really just me and a couple of other people right now, so the first issue will be a combination of original content interspersed with media collages, headlines, reprints, commentary, photos, graphics, lyrics, etc. Issue 1 will include a Gil Scott memorial, the Arab Spring, Athens, Madrid, London, Occupy Wall St., the issue of student debt and movement building, random Onion-esque ramblings. Dialogues/interviews will a part of the format, rountable discussions, etc.
So there's room for anything really, if the format's right. It's also a design project so it may not reflect a traditional magazine. But we'll see.
There's no formal relationship to Z, but obviously it has been an influence on me and my development. This will reflect our life in the Pacific NW, but is by no means limited to regional content or anything like that. We just want to start something new, to fill a void that we see in the current cultural landscape. Music, Art, Writing, Satire, Culture, Politics. A new (early) Rolling Stone for our generation, but more fiercely independent and radical.
I'll keep my Zspace update with any developments.
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Re: Re: Sounds promising
By Roblin, Stephen at Sep 30, 2011 16:01 PM
Look forward to hearing about the project's development. I'd be happy to contribute.
I have some experience now working on media projects. I've been part of the editorial collective of a local Baltimore project called "Indypendent Reader" (http://indyreader.org/). If you want to pick brains, feel free to email me: stephenroblin@gmail.com
Best of luck,
S
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