Welcome to the Ragged University
The Ragged University provides a platform for the free exchange of knowledge and skills in social spaces like pubs, cafes and libraries. It is about getting people who love what they do to share insight into what they do in an informal setting so we can all enjoy it. It is not about CV's, it's not about accreditation, it's not about making money, it's not about blowing smoke up people's arses !
We should not be afraid of knowledge or talking ideas out over a pint or a coffee, and the idea is to strip away the pomp and circumstance to find out what people have to share. In relaxed atmospheres we meet, learn how to present ideas in public, connect each other to good free knowledge resources and have a bit of fun with it. Think of it like pub documentaries.
Everyone has something to share, some experience or story in an area of life and learning. When people have a passion for what they do, they tend to get good at it. The Ragged project is about building communities of like minded people who have something to contribute to each other.
We spend our lives learning from each other, from friends, from family, from colleagues and workmates, from teachers, from people in business, from students, from the retired community, from professionals and from amateurs, artists, artisans.... Well, you get the point !
The message here is to come together around free resources, find out what everyone is working on and tell others what we are working from. This is a good opportunity to meet people who we can work on join projects and do something in life. The website is being designed and built to be a free platform and throw light on the work of self motivated people who do interesting stuff.
The website hopes to signpost other great projects that are available for free on the internet and catalogue all sorts of useful interesting stuff, so please suggest your favourite websites and projects by clicking here.
The Ragged project is entirely voluntary and has come together, and continues to come together, through the good will and kindness of many people. For this reason it we want your support through understanding that everything that is done by people who are dedicating their own free time and energy to make sure it all continues.
So if there is a delay in getting a response or updating the website with your contributions or suggestions please have patience – we are trying to find the time, energy, money and resources to make things happen. It will all get done, just one step at a time. Great things have happened in piloting and greater things are now coming together for the future. It all rests on the generous support of coordinators, friends and patrons.
The Ragged is now forming as a fully charitable organisation which will be regulated by the Scottish Charities Commission (OSCR) and we aim to deliver a project that gives tangible results right back to the communities which get involved.
We dont want it to be a fluffy-lap-dog charity which resembles a Monty Python sketch, nor do we want to create a stuffy formal corporate super grunt of a charity which sends teams of chuggers at you to dodge. Instead, we want to develop a 'does-what-it-says-on-the-tin' organisation that brings tangible benefits to our doorstep.
It runs in the social traditions of the Ragged Schools where people came together in Victorian times to improve their communities and individual lots. If the Victorians can do it, we can. Whether it is meeting like minds to swap ideas or find a free platform for your work, we want the Ragged project to be a source of practical gains and entertaining events straight to you and yours.
For historical reasons the project is avoiding being a platform for politics, religion, or corporations. Why you ask ? To keep it simple ! These were some areas of life which caused problems in the Ragged Schools movement and besides, these institutions can take care of themselves.
But, you say, everything in life involves politics, religion and corporations. Well, without getting bogged down in pedantic arguments, the Ragged organisation is not anti-politics, anti-religion nor anti-industry but instead has chosen it's focus to orientate around a social network and knowledge exchange.
What this means in practice is that Ragged is not about preaching beliefs, lobbying for ideals or marketing products – it is about understanding that each person is a unique and immeasurable body of knowledge, and that we can meet around tables without an agenda other than learning and sharing.
Ragged is trying to build a framework that is inclusive. It is not about snobbery or reverse snobbery, but being progressive in a collaborative atmosphere. Please try and respect this and be constructive if you have any criticism to offer. It is all too easy to get caught up in endless arguments and drain the fun out of the project. Can we leave tribalisms at the door please !
Anyway, have a read and tell us what you think. You can download a copy of the Ragged Project Presentation here.