At first appearances, the above statement might even produce a consensus amongst users of the Indymedia uk newswire, including some of its most ardent critics, and members of the Indymedia UK kollektives, past (think Bradford) and present. But then, like a puff of smoke, the illusion disappears. Some of the people who read it will have no idea what it means, and others might suspect I am just wasting their time. They might be right, they might be wrong, but if we do care about Indymedia UK, we need to stay with this article for a few minutes longer (at the very least).

"So what about the image? What's it got to do with anything?"

More than most of you might imagine (including the subject of the image, and the photographer herself.) It depicts a young person who has long been involved with Indymedia UK, although she has barely ever read, the site, and has never been a member of any of the UK kollektives (whatever the hell 'they' are) some of whose meetings she has attended (and influenced) and she has also been on actions, either with 'Indymedia UK' or when 'they' have been present. She has worked hard (at some cost to herself) to support the site (for reasons of her own, and mine) - and she has unwittingly and unintentionally done some damage to the site. If I say any more I will make it too obvious to the wrong people exactly what I'm on about. But if Indymedia UK matters to you, please bear with me a while longer, I'm getting to the point soon.

"Capitalism is a cruel master. Nothing is at it seems" - Lewis Carroll, author of 'Alice in Wonderland' 1896

Regardless of the fact that I made that quote up - some of you might even have been deceived. At least you're still here and paying attention.... and how many times have I said "You can't believe everything (or anything) you read on the internet without 'reliable sources''? Maybe once, maybe a thousand times, even I'm not sure - but I am certain I DID say it.

"Stop wasting our time, Indymedia uk is finished. It's boring and repetitive. Pull the plug NOW". - 2sam comment (hidden as 'disruptive user')

Yup, another bogus quotation. What the hell is 'he' on about now? It's okay - I'm nearly done.

An Indymedia UK primer.

"Indymedia uk consists of a network, kollektive(s) and a newswire. It has a fairly long history in the activist scene, and has at various times done some interesting and creative stuff. Right now it is struggling. The kollektive(s) and newswire were born at specific moments, but even those in at the inception might not agree exacly when those moments were. It has changed a lot since it first started, and needs to radically change now. It operates through a system of network meetings and 'Consensus decision making', and there is an urgent need for a network meeting now. If it is to survive as a network and kollektive, it needs a network meeting, and new energy and ideas."

There, I've finally said it! It's up to all of us what happens next. Let the bunfight begin. "See you on the streets"!!!

"And finally!"

This has been a Long Time Coming Production by Love Productions, co-authored by Failed Project. me