[SLUG] Scarborough Digital

[Bob Garrood]

Hi

Looking at the Digital Scarborough programme, I was inclined to agree with 
John that there is no room for SLUG.   Thinking it over, I think we ought to 
try and make a statement about it.

My theory is this.  Scarborough council are building a "creative industry" 
centre.  I know about it because it is near me.  I,with others, tried to stop 
it.  We said "creative industry" could mean anything.

So I think this event has been highjacked by Scarborough Council, who 
desperately want to believe in this high profit, sexy, new industry.  You can 
see their address at the end of the document, and you can tell that it is 
being run by council officials from the total bullshit in the first 
paragraph.

"The secret is out. Scarborough is home to a wealth of digital talent - from 
designers to composers, from artists to DJ's. Digital Scarborough 2006 is a 
celebration of all this and more. Resourcing the people doing it, and 
inspiring everyone else to have a go, it's where competitive hi-tech business 
meets cyber-punk anarchy head on, with a diversion into pastoral digital 
ambiance. Take another look at that beach - it's made of silicon you know?".  

Hope I don't tread in any "pastoral digital ambiance".

The part of this circus that corresponds to last year's setup is the part 
called the Digital Marketplace.  It sounds great.

"The latest ideas, tomorrow's technology, cutting edge business and 
entertainment. Launch site - Scarborough, destination -  the future. The 
Digital Marketplace will be a chance for invited local new media companies to 
show off their work to Scarborough's business community. "

I think we should write to them asking for a stall at the Digital Marketplace.   
Some thing like:

"At an event that focuses on creativity and the arts, it is especially 
appropriate for free/open source software to be represented.  Often this 
software is more advanced than proprietary software.  It is particularly 
suitable for students of music and the visual arts, as commercial software in 
these fields is expensive." 
 
I find it hard to believe that Scarborough is so full of cutting edge 
businesses that there is no room for anyone else.

Bob