Reclaiming the Commons in the Digital and Physical Realms
In an era of increasing technological advancement, the concept of the “commons” has taken on new significance, intertwining the realms of food, land, and digital knowledge. As seasoned experts in water and sanitation services, community engagement, and advocacy, we explore the parallels between the historical enclosure of physical commons and the modern enclosure of digital spaces, offering insights and strategies for reclaiming these vital resources.
The Shared Roots of Food and Data Sovereignty
The food sovereignty and data sovereignty movements share a fundamental belief: that the resources we produce, consume, and depend upon should be controlled at the community level. These movements recognize that power and decision-making over essential resources must be decentralized and fairly distributed, whether it’s food, software, agricultural inputs, or data.
Historically, the local food and farm-to-table movements of the 2000s and 2010s focused on the tangible, low-tech, and provincial aspects of sustenance. In contrast, the free-culture and open-source software movements directed their attention towards the global, abstract, and technologically advanced realms of information and knowledge. Yet, these seemingly disparate realms are now converging, as both communities seek to reclaim control over the commons.
Hedgerows, Past and Present
The enclosure of the commons in centuries past was facilitated by physical barriers, such as the hedgerows that hemmed in the former communal lands in England. These hedgerows represented the alienation of common people from their land, social relations, and traditional ways of life. Today, the enclosure of digital spaces is analogous, with the consolidation of knowledge in vast data centers and server farms owned by tech monopolies – the “hedgerows in the sky” that restrict access and commodify information.
Just as the Levellers and Diggers of the past resisted the physical enclosure of the commons, modern advocates for free culture and open-source software must confront the digital enclosure of knowledge. Expanding the concept of the commons beyond the abstract and non-rivalrous to include the physical infrastructure and resources that enable the flow of information is crucial.
Reclaiming the Commons through Collective Action
The history of the commons is deeply rooted in agrarian traditions, yet the organic and local food movements of the 2000s did not readily embrace the metaphor of the commons. In contrast, the technologists and free-culture advocates were the ones who initially championed the concept, despite their tendency to treat the physical aspects of information as mere inconveniences.
To truly reclaim the commons, both the food and technology sectors must recognize the inherent connection between the physical and the digital realms. This means acknowledging the material infrastructure and labor that underpin the knowledge commons, as well as the social relations and collective agency required to preserve and expand access to these vital resources.
Towards a New Vision of the Commons
The commons is not something to be owned or disposed of at will, but rather a shared responsibility to be collectively maintained and nurtured. This requires a shift in mindset, away from individualistic notions of property and towards a more holistic understanding of our interdependence with the natural world and each other.
By embracing the principles of usufruct – the right to use and benefit from a resource without owning it – communities can reclaim sovereignty over the commons, whether it be land, water, or digital knowledge. This approach fosters a deeper sense of belonging and commitment to the commons, strengthening the social bonds that are essential for its preservation.
Bridging the Gap: Towards an Inclusive Commons
The organic and local food movements, as well as the free-culture and open-source software advocates, have often been portrayed as progressive movements. However, a closer examination reveals the diversity of ideologies within each, ranging from techno-libertarianism to anti-globalization.
To truly reclaim the commons, these disparate factions must find common ground and work collectively towards a shared vision. This means moving beyond atomized individualism and embracing the power of community-driven organization and collective agency.
Cultivating a Collective Stewardship of the Commons
The substance of the commons – whether physical or abstract, rivalrous or non-rivalrous – is less important than the quality of the social bonds and shared responsibilities that define it. Enclosure, in this sense, is not merely a physical barrier, but a severing of the ties that connect us to each other and to the land.
By acknowledging our interdependence and our collective obligation to the commons, we can begin to cultivate a new ethos of stewardship. This involves recognizing that our use of a resource does not give us sole dominion over it, nor the right to alienate it from the broader community.
Towards a Holistic Approach to the Commons
The water and sanitation sector, with its deep understanding of community engagement and advocacy, has a critical role to play in bridging the gap between the food and technology sectors. By facilitating dialogues, sharing best practices, and fostering collaborative initiatives, we can help to build a more inclusive and resilient vision of the commons.
This holistic approach must consider the interconnectedness of the physical and digital realms, as well as the social, ecological, and economic dimensions of resource management. Only by embracing this complexity can we truly reclaim the commons and ensure that its benefits are accessible to all.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The time has come to level the digital and physical “hedgerows” that have enclosed our commons. By recognizing the shared roots of food, land, and knowledge, we can forge a new path forward – one that empowers communities, fosters collective agency, and restores our connection to the natural world.
As water and sanitation experts, community leaders, and advocates, we have a unique opportunity to catalyze this transformation. Let us heed the call of the anonymous bard, who reminds us that the commons must be seized back, not just for our own benefit, but for the benefit of all living beings on this planet.
The work ahead is not easy, but it is vital. Together, let us reclaim the commons, one hedgerow at a time.
