Re: EU NGI funding cut engagement opportunity

[indieterminacy <indieterminacy@libre.brussels>]

On 2024-07-21 01:15, Juliana Sims wrote:
> Greetings comrades,
> 
> As many of you are likely already aware, the European Union has 
> recently made plans to cut funding to its Next Generation Internet 
> (NGI) initiative which funds hundreds of FOSS projects, including many 
> related to Guix itself.  The current plan is to shift these funds into 
> artifical intelligence research.
> 
> Petites Singularités has started an open letter to call on the EU to 
> restore this funding.  I would very much support Guix signing onto it.  
> The document, and instructions for participating in this effort, can be 
> found here: https://pad.public.cat/lettre-NCP-NGI
> 
> For full disclosure, my work on the Shepherd is funded by NGI through 
> NLnet.  While my funding is secure, it would be a tragedy if the 
> opportunity which I have been given to build something really cool and 
> (I hope) revolutionary were denied to others.
> 
> In solidarity,
> Juli

The building of resilient and decentralised protocol and server 
technologies should be considered advantageous - if only as a matter of 
soft power.

For example, here is a detailed breakdown of how Japan uses its cultural 
assets as a form of soft diplomacy - to the extent that it is happy to 
run investment funds at a loss:
https://yewtu.be/watch?v=IM2VIKfaY0Y

I felt that PS position seems correct.
I always thought the funds NGI has received was peanuts and a bargain 
for the European project.

Id sign it but Im not sure whether independents are encouraged.
In any case, my (very) distinct informatics work progressed 
significantly as a consequence of the funding and prestige from NLNet 
(Icebreaker project).

One would think that, given the growing spectre of authoritarianism and 
disinformation (that is exerting itself across many locations), that it 
would be useful for people to be able to say in a sustainable way:
"I am here, this is who I am"

*rechecks EU election results*

Oh, FFS