4th Inclusiva-net Meeting: P2P Networks and Processes

The event is directed by Juan Martín Prada, and will include paper presentations, roundtables and lectures by Andoni Alonso, Michel Bauwens, Rubén Díaz, Javier de la Cueva, Juan Freire, Antonio Lafuente, Gonzalo Martín, Juan Martín Prada, Margarita Padilla, Susana Narotzky, Rubén Martínez and María Ptqk.

Free entrance to the meeting, but previous registration required. Limited seating. Simultaneous translation English/Spanish.

In order to assist to the meeting and take part in the discussion groups you must register (for the general meeting, fill in the form below; you can also take part in one of the four discussion groups by submitting the specific form):

          > Register for the general meeting

          > Register for the discussion groups

> List of selected papers

> Meeting program

Directed by Juan Martín Prada

In collaboration with Commons Lab

Organizer: Medialab-Prado

Introduction

The 4th International Meeting of Medialab-Prado’s Inclusiva-net platform titled P2P networks and processes: beyond exchange logics will focus on an analysis of “peer-to-peer” networks and network processes, highlighting the social potentials of cooperative systems and processes based on the structures and dynamics inherent to these types of networks. The meeting will consist of a series of lectures and a selection of communications chosen through an open call for projects.

Presentation text

P2P (“peer-to-peer”) networks -distributed networks composed of nodes that function simultaneously as clients and servers- are based, in the most interesting cases, on a series of ideals: equality of power among participants, free cooperation among them, putting into circulation or forming what are considered “common goods”, and participation and communication “from many to many”.

However, in the face of the almost unquestionable goodness of these premises, we are currently seeing constant questioning of peer-to-peer networks from business and institutional circles which accuse them of being the main instrument for carrying out activities that infringe intellectual property standards (criticism mainly related to downloading files with copyright protection).

Thus, those who conceive of P2P networks as a way of democratizing access to cultural contents are confronted by those who consider P2P networks as mere swarms of users gathered solely out of a private interest in downloading music or films for free. Those two positions, however, only cover a tiny part of the multitude and complexity of aspects involved in the dynamics inherent to “peer-to-peer” networks.

Due to all of that, it seems necessary that this debate, of burning interest at present, include other perspectives that make a broader reflection on P2P networks possible, going beyond mere diatribes about the legality or illegality of the uses that can be made of them.

That is precisely the reason why one of the principal aims of this fourth international meeting of the Inclusiva-net platform is to broaden the terms of discussion about these networks, with special emphasis on the huge social potential offered by network systems and processes based on P2P structures. Our purpose is therefore to look at their immense capacity to consolidate forms of voluntary social organization and to develop participatory social processes and collective cooperation in networks, in all areas of human activities. For this reason, the meeting also aims to explore, through concepts such as "panarchy" and "P2P governance", the meaning and value of claiming P2P networks as a model of a possible and desirable application that goes beyond mere exchange logics and may even be considered a political and social program in its own right.

Core themes for the meeting

- P2P networks and participatory social paradigms and cooperation in networks.

- Networks and projects based on “peer-to-peer” structures and processes.

- Application of P2P organizational models to different areas of knowledge and social life.

- The concepts of “panarchy” and “P2P governance”.

- P2P economies and forms of prodution.

- Forms of organization, architectures, and operation of P2P networks.

- History, typologies and applications of P2P networks.

- Legal controversies related to P2P networks.

- The use of P2P in education.

- The use of P2P as a source of knowledge. Its role in the emergent countries.

- New developments in network design, protocols and applications. The future of P2P.

- P2P networks in mobile phones.

- Complex systems and P2P networks.

- Quality of information in P2P networks. Semantic Web and P2P.

- The relationship between P2P networks and Web 2.0

- P2P Metaverses.

- Artistic projects based on P2P structures or networks.