Learn the Code and become a Pirate!

An open invitation…

Introduction

This is an open invitation to anyone who would like to become a Space Pirate to learn the Pirates Code and Cypher!

It will take about 15mins to read through, and much longer to digest.

The Pirates’ Code is a shared language around consent and accountability. Knowing from the outset that consent and accountability are expected, helps protect against malicious intentions whilst encouraging genuine support to grow in a collectively understood manner.

On completion you will have:

• A clearer understanding of the Space Pirate’s Code.
• A clearer understanding of the Space Pirate’s Cipher.
• Joined the Space Pirates Code Affinity Group.
• Identified and requested to join other Cipher Affinity Group(s).
• Received a Pirate’s name and password to access this site.
• Ideas for a bio, outlining what you have to offer, what you’re looking for, what you love, what you hate, etc.
• Shared a rough outline of your availability.
• Begun thinking about your challenge and which affinity group(s) you’ll be collaborating with on it.

Let’s begin!

Understanding the Pirate’s Code leads to collaboration with other Space Pirates, in the 5 further areas of the Cipher:

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We’ll start with the Space Pirates Code in depth, and then skim quickly over the rest of the Cipher so you have a better idea about your options when it comes to joining an affinity group later on.

Please keep note of any questions that come up and feel free to dip in and out of the Space Pirates general chat to ask or comment on anything, that’s what it’s there for.

The Space Pirates Code focuses on consent and accountability and is represented on the cipher by the symbol of a circle with two lines on it.

The horizontal line represents Consent, the circle represents Action, and the vertical line represents Accountability.

The following diagram provides is the latest visual representation of the Pirates Code framework. It is also known as the Treasure Map or the Flag. It details these broad concepts of consent and accountability in more detail.

Before we go on to explore these areas, let’s just take a step back with some background information…

The Space Pirates code is based closely on The Consent & Accountability Framework. This is a model for a shared understanding of how to bring about – and respond to – action. It has been used and developed over many years at small and very large scale events, such as Burning Man. It’s creators are keen to share it and connect with others. More info here: consentframework.org

The framework embraces transformation and flow. It acknowledges the fact that consent does not always exist, and shows steps of accountability that can be focused on and explored for any given action ‘good’ or ‘bad’. It’s more than a set of rules about what to do and what not to do, it’s a way of exploring what’s been going on, what’s happening now, and what might be done next.

As such it can be used to collaborate and develop all areas of the Space Pirates Cipher, including the Pirate’s Code itself! This is why it is the portal to Space Pirate collaboration…

Okay lets dive into the details…

It is actually very simple.

The following areas overlap one another and time can be seen to pass from left to right across the framework.

As mentioned, this circle in the centre represents Action.

The Square on the right containing five horizontal rectangles represents Accountability, which comes after Action. We’ll end with a closer look at accountability.

The large equilateral triangle pointing into the circle from the left, represents Communication. We’ll cover the triangles above and below next.

Lets look at the framework’s definition of Consent…

Consent is defined as Communication leading to Agreement leading to Action

consentframework.org

This right-angle triangle above represents Agreement.

The one below represents Disagreement.

So, taken all together, this area represents consent.

This area represents Non-consent as it shows Communication leading to Disagreement leading to Action.

That’s enough on the Consent (and Non-consent) side of the framework for now.

There is also this area of Communication leading directly to Action without prior agreement or disagreement.

Remember, like all frameworks this is just a rule of thumb and is under constant development.

To deepen your understanding it might be a good idea to start thinking about using a couple of examples… you can think of literally anything. Remember you’re welcome to talk your examples through in the general chat.

Lets take a closer look at Accountability now…

Accountability on the right of the framework is shown in 5 stages or states of having experienced an action.

They are ordered as Feedback & Coaching, Space, Growth, Sharing, and Alerting.

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Feedback is characterised by informing, it is descriptive, it’s how we learn, and comes from everything around us.

Coaching is characterised by persuading and happens when a ‘learner‘ communicates with a ‘teacher‘ of some kind.

Feedback and coaching are often unasked for and tricky to give, but obviously very important, fundamentally they are intended to help individuals become better community participants.

Ideally these are the initial stages of accountability

The fact is however that Space is usually the initial stage or state of accountability.

Space can be physical space or emotional space, it can be in time, it can be temporary or permanent. It is about distance.

Space can be one of the easiest areas of accountability to move into and one of the hardest ones to move out of.

A lot of Space Piracy involves escaping space.

Growth is pretty self-explanatory and it is usually clear when you’re experiencing the state and stage of growth.

There is a useful distinction to be made between restorative and transformative justice when thinking about growth. One seeks restoration of the status quo, the other seeks transformation. The particular details of any specific Action will emphasise which, if either way to lean.

Growth can take so many forms it is hard to begin to describe it with words, empowerment is one aspect, but equally growth can occurring imperceptibly.

Okey dokey… How’s it going? Were nearly done!

Have you checked into the chat yet?..

These last two stages of accountability can be understood in relation to one another and are very simple concepts. Alerting is the final and most intense stage or state of accountability, but first Sharing:

Sharing is peer-to-peer or horizontal in nature and generally occurs within a group. It is the stage or state of having experienced an action among equals

Alerting is the stage or state of having experienced an action through a hierarchy in some way. This hierarchy may or may not be respected. It is not necessarily a hierarchy of power.

To get a better idea of the subtle differences between Sharing and Alerting, we’ll use a book and a fire-exit as couple of example ‘actions’. Anything can be thought of as an action, perhaps phenomena is a better word… anyway..

A book, written by a single author is an example of a hierarchy of respect where the author is respected by their readership, but the author may not respect their readership in the same way. A written book is usually a one-to-many mode of communication. There’ll also probably be a financial hierarchy involved with a publishing house. A reading circle based on a book on the other hand would be an example of Sharing.

A fire-exit may be Alerted to by shouting “FIRE!” if there actually a fire taking place, this would be experienced through a hierarchy of sound or volume. The fire exits may have already been pointed out when first entering the building, in this case its more a matter of Sharing.

So that’s it, The Pirates Code!

Thanks for reading through this far. As the above information starts sinking in, it will become clearer how to collaborate as a Space Pirate using the Code. Feel free to dive into the general chat now if you haven’t already where you can expect some feedback and coaching!

Finally let’s skim over the rest of the Cypher..

Now we’re going to wrap up with a recap of the main six Space Pirates Affinity Groups, in other words, the Space Pirates Cipher, to help you choose which affinity group(s) you’d be interested in joining in the form below.

more about affinity groups and anarchist organising

As detailed in most of this post so far the Space Pirates Code, based on the Consent and Accountability Framework is used as a structure upon which to build Space Pirate’s culture.

Hopefully it is becoming clear how the Code makes it easier to communicate and share an understanding of what’s happened, what’s happening, and what might happen next.

Working from this strong foundation, Space Pirates collaborate within the areas of Navigating, Scrolling, Squatting, Domesticity & Welcoming as follows…

The symbol for Navigating is from the compass arrow on maps, it is also known as scouting.

Navigating is about plotting locations, both plotting them on a map, and plotting ways to secure them. There are various aspects to a well-scouted location. These include visits having been spaced out over weeks at different times of day to ensure it’s unused, finding the full address(es) and postcode(s), an internal inspection assessing the water, electrics and general safety, and so on.

Once an address or location is identified, it is possible to start scrolling the web for more information about how long it has been empty, why, who owns it, etc.

This symbol, based on a scroll has a double meaning. Scrolling involves a lot of scrolling around the internet, but also Scrolling deals with official documents like property deeds, court papers, maps, spreadsheets, meeting agendas, minutes, educational materials, squat kitty management, rotas, preparing letters, posters, notices, Ahoy~World! etc. ie Scrolls.

You’ve been doing a lot of scrolling to get this far through this post!

Scrolling is the all the secretarial and administrative stuff. Scrolling is therefore very wide-ranging affinity group and involves being in close communication with all other areas of Space Piracy.

The Squatting symbol is – of course – the internationally recognised squat symbol! Squatting here in the sense of the pirates Cipher however is about remaining in locations and maintaining their basic usability, ie their physical security and safety.

Squatting begins the moment access to a building is secured for the first time and follows on closely from Navigating.

Domesticity is symbolised by a heart shape. Its focus is on tending to the daily needs and comforts of those who maintain and inhabit locations, physically, socially, psychologically, etc. Domesticity is closely connected with using the Pirate’s Code and wellbeing in general.

Symbolised by a window frame, this is the ultimate objective of Space Pirates: to welcome everyone to co-create and participate in events & activities with us, and have the opportunity to benefit from becoming a Space Pirate themselves. In an inclusive and conscious way, Space Pirates aim to co-create virtuous cycles of direct action and mutual aid in and around squatted social centres

So there you have it!

You’re now ready to become a Space Pirate! Your answers to the following questions will help you to draft a bio for this website and to introduce yourself to any of the Cipher Affinity Groups you’re interested in joining as outlined above.

Please fill out the following form and we’ll be in touch!

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