Probably an unpopular take: I don't believe the EU can create an alternative tech stack.

[ben@werd.social]

Probably an unpopular take: I don't believe the EU can create an alternative tech stack. It needs to foster an independent ecosystem; anything less will just benefit all the people who already know how to get EU grants. What's needed is the conditions for real innovation, which are a culture and mindset change, as well as money.

[gdupont@framapiaf.org]

@ben
I don't disagree.
My take is that most of it ("culture and mindset change, as well as money") is mostly better marketing/story telling.

[jmmaok@mastodon.online]

@ben

Interesting point. To some extent “knowing how to get grants” represents knowing how to write a plan to address societal issues like labor conditions, ethics, and impact. In the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the US, what got rewarded was growth hacking. How to strike a balance?

[otfrom@functional.cafe]

@ben what are the culture and mind changes that you think are needed?

[ben@werd.social]

@JMMaok I think the things you've mentioned are wonderful and vital to think through. But in practice, like a lot of funding, there's some insider knowledge and relationships required in terms of who to talk to and how to navigate the hoops. The people who have those relationships and already know how to do those things are inherently prioritized. That needs to be fixed.

[ben@werd.social]

@otfrom Europe doesn't have a strong culture of experimentation or open collaboration, and the investment landscape doesn't tolerate failure as well. Fixing those things and marrying them to a European sense of social responsibility would go a long way.

[mcm_63@mastodon.uno]

@ben Yes indeed. How much of so-called American innovation was imported from Europe and other countries? America is not only destroying its democracy, but also its future and innovative strength. Young talents here in Europe will think twice about whether they want go to live in a fascist state.

[ben@werd.social]

@mcm_63 That's certainly true. America is shooting itself in both feet right now, and entrepreneurs are right to stay away. It's a horrible moment, but also an opportunity to build alternative ecosystems. But it *is* about building ecosystems.

[jmmaok@mastodon.online]

@ben

I am all for that type of learning and addressing gatekeeping. Personally I have found many people in tech quite resistant to learning public sector frameworks for addressing the impacts of tech, equity issues, etc. On the learning side, little of this is secret. It does take some open mindedness and time to learn.

We’re agreed on breaking down gatekeeping to insiders. Just, it’s not always pure cronyism.

[evan@cosocial.ca]

@ben what do you mean by "alternative tech stack"? Independent, clean-room replica of all US technology? Or something else?