This focus discussion explores the relationship between open movements, collaboration, hacking and politics. By looking at examples from hacking and open source cultures it asks to what extend such new forms of distributed collaboration and rhizomatic creativity seriously open up new political perspectives. We also ponder the relationship between hacking, open-source and the market, particularly the boundaries between art, commerce and politics.

Hacks, flash mobs, online petitions: never have there been so many opportunities for free expression and social participation as there are today. Media activists join forces worldwide and communally create platforms for themes and people that to date had no support. We present a number of projects and people working with the activist potential of the Internet and other technologies – thereby developing radically new policy approaches in terms of self-determination, participation and integration.