Nomadbase.org is currently still in an experimental alpha stage.
No air - smoking or not smoking in nomad bases
Submitted by guaka on 28 November, 2009 - 16:21
Last night Erga and I went to the Gypsy Swing. We couldn't find it at first, when we finally got there I asked if there was smoking in the big hall. The guy said no. We went in after paying a "donation". Then of course the space was full of smoke. We went back, asked our donation back and left.
Apparently Berlin is still in the stone age. The same goes for the unconference. The only smoke-free space is in the back, without daylight. It is annoying. We spent some time in the smoky front, which is okay when you're drinking some alcohol, you don't really notice. But when we went out and then back in again at the gypsy place we couldn't take it at all.
Fresh air is a basic human right, and if it's not, well, it should be. If a space doesn't have fresh air everyone should be aware of this feat. So it will be good to clearly indicate the position of smoking of a nomadbase. And if there's any inside smoking it will be much less likely to see me there, like at the current unconference, where the only fairly smoke free space is a room in the back without much daylight. I hope Sunday can really be non-smoky in the entire space...
Tags:
- guaka's blog
- Login or register to post comments
- Printer-friendly version
- Send to friend
- PDF version
Comments
28 September 2009
22 weeks 4 days
For me, one of the most interesting developments in European nomadism is the growth of no-smoking places. When I first stayed with nomadic people on HC several years ago, everyone smoked. Even after some began to forbid cigarettes, there was often still a cloud of ganja smoke each evening. Well, I suppose nomad bases just mirror the development in general Western European society, where a lot of young people are quitting (from the excessive cost as much as the health issues).
Smoking is still pretty common in the Russian community, though. Krotov forbids smoking and alcohol in his bases, but a lot of people call him a wacko extremist for that. In the base in Lviv I stayed at after Rainbow (30 people!), smoking was only allowed by the window, but the smoke still seeped through the flat and no one complained.
When I return to Europe next fall, I intend on again hosting everyone who asks, but for the first time in some years I'll have a flat where I can do as I please. And because I perennially wish to live up to the example of those early hosts' flats, I will allow smoking.
1 November 2009
30 weeks 6 days
You have the right to go outside, or to organize a conference at a smoke free location. I believe that it is your organizing skills that might need a little dusting off instead of Berlin.
I find it pretty interesting that Nomads who often use resources that they do not control are so quick to "improve" them with self-serving critique. There is daylight in the back room. Perhaps if you were part of the plenum for the Tea House and involved in the long term viability of the place you might be able to change the policy. Alas, you are only a visitor. An important one, but a visitor nonetheless.
1 November 2009
34 weeks 4 days
Yes, I agree, but, if we raise our voices, are we not just called egotists for wanting clean air to breathe? Every time I bring this up..the shit eating monster arrives and brings his smell too. Vhaaaat, we are all free! Long live freedom!