I was a member of one of--if not the--largest centralized makerspaces in the world for about a year, during a period when it experienced exponential growth. I taught classes and served as the Science Committee chair. I saw things that I liked, saw what a lot of people liked, and saw a lot of things that I didn't like at all. My goal in joining the makerspace was to learn how to start and operate a makerspace, as I want to start one that is closer to my home. One of my concerns is the business model. The makerspace I joined decided to set up as a 501(c)3 non-profit, which would seem fine, until one looks at the activities being conducted at the space. It claims to be an educational institution, and it encourages people to teach classes on any topic in its space. However, the educational component is superficial. The classes are ad hoc, and have very little connection to the activities in the rest of the facility. Most people join because they are so impressed with the tool collection, but half of them never do anything. Those who do something usually are making some novelty for their own use. "Knickknacks," I called them disparagingly, though that's actually what most of the projects were. The most egregious use of the space, though, has to be other small businesses that use the space and tools to conduct or further their own, for-profit businesses using non-profit tools. I was amazed when some of the members became angry at me for photographing their works in progress. Any member and guest could walk in and see what they were doing, but these members were angry that their trade or proprietary secrets were compromised by my photographing their works that were out in plain sight in the space. It didn't seem right to me, either, that a small business could get access to a million-dollar tool for nothing more than the nominal cost of membership at the (tax-free) space. My main falling out with that space, though, was over a difference in project philosophy. I wanted us to conduct science projects, to do meaningful tasks and advance knowledge. Several members strongly objected, and the administrators backed them on the grounds that the purpose of the makerspace was to make things, not to conduct experiments. The expectation was that members would start and complete projects within a few weeks, a month at most. Nothing was supposed to be left set up or out overnight, unless given a temporary exemption that could not be for more than a month. I felt that we had a great opportunity to promote amateur science, but I was forcibly shut down. Management ordered an early election and had me ousted from Science Committee chair. I would still like to found a makerspace, but I am wondering what the best business model might be. I'm skeptical of the tax-exempt model. I'd like for my space to encourage entrepreneurs and amateur scientists. Labor is a big problem. At the other makerspace, the heavy tasks of keep the facility operating fell to a small group of volunteers, who are essentially slave labor. My committee and my classes sucked up virtually all of my spare time, despite the complaints of some people that I wasn't at the makerspace enough. Someone complained that there were times at two or three in the morning when no one was even in the space used by my committee. Finding free, skilled labor is a problem. Supervision is a problem, too. I'd welcome any constructive suggestions.

superb

cool :v