The following figures used in this book have extensive alt text image descriptions and are linked here from the body text.

Fig. 1.1 The Records Continuum Model

• Evidentiality: At the core, tracing from archival documents and records up to collective memory.
• Identity: A vertical axis stretching from actors and units to organizations and institutions.
• Transactionality: A horizontal axis that connects records with their transactional context, including the activity, function and purpose of the documentation.

Fig. 1.2 Visualization of the participatory spectrum 

Fig. 2.1 New Typology of Description

Fig. 2.2 Parallel and Multiple Simultaneous Provenance

Fig. 4.1 Bill Moyer’s Movement Action Plan Model

Fig. 6.1 Dimensions of the Hermeneutic Circle

This image shows a circular flowchart illustrating the process of understanding concepts as a cycle between the ‘Whole’ and the ‘Parts.’

• Two blue curved arrows form a circular motion, one labeled ‘Integration (Define)’ on the left and the other labeled ‘Contextualization (Illuminate)’ on the right.
• At the top of the image, near the ‘Whole’ section, there’s a dotted arrow labeled ‘Experience’ pointing toward the ‘Parts.’
• At the bottom, near the ‘Parts’ section, another dotted arrow labeled ‘Experience’ points back toward the ‘Whole.’

This visual represents the idea of moving between understanding the whole concept, breaking it into parts and using experiences to integrate and contextualise the understanding.

Fig. 6.2 Traditional Functional Analysis and the Note-taking of Anomalies and Shortfalls in the Process

Fig. 7.1 Quadrants of Recordkeeping

Fig. 7.2. Translating the ‘Quadrants of Recordkeeping’ (Figure 7.1) into the RCM

A circular diagram with four concentric rings labelled ‘Recordkeeping containers’ at the outermost layer, moving inward to ‘Identity’, ‘Evidentiality’ and ‘Transactionality.’ Four labelled dimensions are positioned around the circle: ‘Dimension 1 CREATE’ (top left), ‘Dimension 2 CAPTURE’ (top right), ‘Dimension 3 ORGANISE’ (bottom right), and ‘Dimension 4 PLURALISE’ (bottom left). The diagram is split into quadrants with different labels: ‘Individual/Public’ in green (top left), ‘DxE/Public’ in grey (top right), ‘DxE/Private’ in purple (bottom right), and ‘Individual/Private’ in blue (bottom left). Green, blue, and grey arrows, as well as a purple circle, are spread across the diagram, representing various types of interaction. The top-right corner features a light blue box reading: ‘Ovals = Created and kept as DxE group records; Arrows = Individuals using DxE platforms for collaboration, communication and direct action’.

Fig. 7.3 Dynamic Representation of Activist Identity in Society Across the Continuum

A diagram showing a cone that narrows from left to right along an ‘Identity Axis’, represented by a thick, dark arrow stretching horizontally across the top. The cone is light green with three large, dark downward arrows positioned above it, each pointing at different stages labelled within the cone. The stages are, from left to right: ‘Societal Activism’, ‘Social Movement Ambience’, ‘Group’ and ‘Individual’. The plus signs indicate interactive pop-ups for additional information.

Fig. 7.4 Ambient Societal Provenance & Functions of a Social Movement, Communities and Individuals

A layered diagram showing four overlapping grey ovals, each representing a different level of activist identity. The layers, from largest to smallest, are labelled: ‘Animal Rights Movement’, ‘Animal Liberation Movement’, ‘DxE’, and ‘Individual (including multiple or fractalised identities including activist identity)’. To the right of the ovals are descriptions of actions associated with each layer: ‘Protest and advocacy’ for Animal Rights Movement, ‘Community building’ for Animal Liberation Movement, ‘Direct action for right to rescue’ for DxE, and ‘Sharing animal and activist experiences’ for Individual. Further to the right, a vertical list shows overarching goals: ‘Animal safety and respect’, ‘Species equality’, ‘Social change’, and ‘Embodying social justice activism as a lifestyle/identity’. Three interactive boxes are placed at the bottom labelled ‘Identity’, ‘Shared and unique ambient functions’, and ‘Shared and unique ambient purpose’.

Fig. 7.5 Representation of Ambient and Societal Provenance Relationships of Records

This image is a Venn diagram illustrating the interaction between various societal actors, organisations and movements in the context of animal agriculture and animal rights activism.

– Main overarching element: At the top, a large blue shape labelled Governments encompasses smaller blue shapes representing Courts, Police and Politicians. This highlights the significant influence of government structures in this network.

– Key players in animal agriculture: On the left side, a large blue oval labelled Animal agriculture overlaps with the central area, indicating its interaction with other elements like activists and societal systems.

– Public perspective: On the right, another large blue oval labelled Public (supporters and detractors) overlaps with the central area, representing the influence of public opinion on the system.

– Activist organisations: The central portion includes overlapping circles representing different actors and movements:

– Individual (representing single activists)

– DxE (referring to the activist group Direct Action Everywhere)

– Animal Rights Movement (a broader category of activism)

– Aligned groups (other organisations working toward similar goals).

– Societal influences: At the bottom, a faint label reads Societal provenance / ambience, highlighting the broader cultural and societal context influencing these dynamics.

The diagram uses overlapping shapes to show relationships and interconnectedness between government entities, activist groups, the animal agriculture industry and the public.

Fig. 8.1 Cone-Shaped RCM with Adjusted Axes Labels for the Radical Recordkeeping Context

This image presents a diagram with overlapping ovals, each representing stages in radical recordkeeping: create, capture, organise and pluralise. The ovals contain layered text, divided into rows that align across the stages, illustrating progression and connections.

– First Row: Focuses on actions and narratives:

– Create: Trace / Counter narrative (in red font)

– Capture: Trace / (Micro)aggressions  (in red font)

– Organise: Evidencing / Policing  (in blue font)

– Pluralise: Evidentiality / Witnessing and Witnessing Shadow Axis  (in blue font)

– Second Row: Activities and goals: 

– Create: (Trans)actions

– Capture: Activity / Activism  (in red font)

– Organise: Functions / Goals  (in red font)

– Pluralise: Purpose / Principles and (Trans)actionality

– Third Row: Groups or actors involved: 

– Create: Actors / Activists

– Capture: Units / Sub-Groups  (in red font)

– Organise: Organisation / Group  (in red font)

– Pluralise: Social Movement / Community  (in red font)

– Fourth Row: Documentation and archival methods: 

– Create: Document

– Capture: Records

– Organise: Platforms as Archives  (in red font)

– Pluralise: Internet as Archive (in red font) and Recordkeeping Containers

– Fifth Row: Collective memory and witnessing: 

– Organise: Group / Individual Memory-making and Surveillance  (in blue font)

– Pluralise: Collective Memory / Strategic Witnessing and Anticipatory Witnessing  (in blue font)

Each section can move from individual creation to community-focused archiving and pluralistic witnessing. The colour-coding means: Red – emphasises activist and community-oriented terms, while Blue – highlights surveillance, policing and anticipatory elements.

Fig. 8.2 Radical Recordkeeping Continuum Model (RRCM) – Drag and Drop Activity

Diagram of four overlapping circles forming a cone shape continuum. Each circle contains text related to processes:

Create: Trace/Counter narrative, Trace/(Micro)aggressions, (Trans)actions, Actors/Activities, Records.

Capture: Evidencing, Evidencing/Policing, Activity/Activism, Units/Sub Groups, Recordkeeping.

Organise: Group/Individual Memory-making, Functions/Goals, Organization/Group, Platforms as Archives, Internet as Archive.

Pluralise: Collective Memory/Strategic Witnessing, Anticipatory Witnessing, Purpose/Principles, Witnessing Shadow Axis, Identity.

Below the cone are circles for a drag and drop interactivity that left to right are: create, capture, organise and pluralise.

Fig. 8.3. Interrelationships for Ambient Collective Memory: Individuals, Group and the Movement

This illustrates the relationship between social movements and identity in animal rights activism.

Layers include top down:

1. Animal Rights Movement: Focuses on the broader advocacy for animal rights and welfare.
2. Animal Liberation Movement: Encompasses community building, protest and advocacy, and a collective effort for animal rights.
3. DxE (Direct Action Everywhere): Highlights the organisation’s role in advocating for direct action and the right to rescue animals in distress.
4. Individual: Represents personal identity, including multiple or fractured identities related to activism and animal rights.

Core Concepts Labelled Below these Layers (from left to right):

– Identity: Recognition of personal and activist identities.

– Shared and Unique Ambient Functions: Collaboration and distinct roles within the movement.

– Shared and Unique Ambient Purpose: Common goals and individual motivations for advocating animal rights.

This visual representation emphasises the interconnectedness of individual identities, collective movements, and the overarching goals of animal activism.

Fig. 9.1 Appraisal on the (Trans)actionality Axis – A green radical recordkeeping axis and blue ‘shadow axis’

This image is a conceptual diagram illustrating the progression of actions, activities and goals, moving from creation to pluralisation within a framework of activism and transactional processes.

– Four overlapping circles: These circles are arranged horizontally, representing sequential phases: CREATE, CAPTURE, ORGANISE and PLURALISE. These phases suggest a process of developing, gathering, structuring and diversifying or expanding efforts and ideas.

– Central cone: A green triangular cone spans the middle of the diagram, connecting the CREATE phase on the left to an open endpoint on the right where it broadens into a large green space with (Trans)actionality at the end of a solid line and Appraisal a dotted line underneath. This cone symbolises the growing scope and impact of actions over time.

– Labels within the cone: 

– On the left, the process begins with (Trans)actions at the tip of the cone, which feed into Activity / Activism. This phase includes terms like Sense Making, Weaponization and Archivization.

– In the middle, the focus shifts to Functions / Goals, which include Reinforcement, Mobilisation and Marshalling.

– On the right, the cone ends with Purpose / Principles and (Trans)actionality, incorporating concepts such as Appraisal.

– Colour-coded text: Different terms are highlighted in colours:

– Green for activist processes: Archivization, Mobilisation and Sense Making

– Blue for authoritarian actions: Reinforcement, Weaponization and Marshalling

– Red for revised RCM labels: Activism (adding to Activity), Goals (adding to Function) Principles (adding to Purpose) and (Trans) in (Trans)actionality

The diagram illustrates a flow from small, focused transactions at the beginning to broader, multifaceted action and influence as the process develops, emphasising the interconnectedness between action, organisation and purpose.

Fig. 9.2 Radical Appraisal Continuum Model

Each circle (left to right) is a cone shape labelled underneath as:

– Create

– Capture

– Organise

– Pluralise

With a green cone across positioned left to right with the pointy end at the left:

– Pointy end labelled (Transactions)

Within the top of the cone:

Solid line with Black Font (RCM Labels) Red Font (revised RCM labels)

– Activity / Activism

– Functions / Goals

– Purpose/Principles

– (Trans)actionality

Dotted line with green font (left to right) labelled Appraisal positioned at the base of the cone on the far right

Above the dotted line: Sense Making, Archivization, Mobilisation

Below the dotted line (in blue font): Weaponization, Reinforcement, Marshalling

Outside the cone, in the circles (left to right, small to large) in a cone shape has:

A top axis solid line (Evidentiality (black font)/Witnessing (red font) with a shadow axis underneath in blue font)

– Trace (black font) & Counter Narrative (red font); Evidence(ing) with -ing in red font; Group (red font) Individual (black font) and memory making (red font); Collective memory (black font) and Strategic Witnessing (red font)

Blue font:

– Trace/(Micro) aggressions / Evidence(ing) Policing / Anticipatory Witnessing: These are left to right in the circles sharing the same blue colour font forming the Witnessing Shadow Axis

Underneath the green appraisal cone, with Identity as the label – a solid line with Black Font (RCM Labels) Red Font (revised RCM labels)

– Actors / Activists

– Units / Sub-Groups

– Organisation/Group

– Social Movement/Community

Recordkeeping Containers Axis – a solid line with the following text along each circle of create, capture, organise and pluralise dimensions:

In the first two circles respectively (Create & Capture) in black font

– Document

– Records

In the second and third circles respectively (Organise & Pluralise) in red font

– Platforms as Archives

– Internet as Archive

Table 10.1 Performing Critical Functional Appraisal Using Four Steps

STEP 1:

Use interviews, vignette & platforms/witnessing analysis to agree on the goals, values, principles and ambient functions in the socio-political context of the group.

The use of vignettes (shown in Fig.10.3) to explore radical recordkeeping across the RACM.

STEP 2:

Analyse the decision points, key ambient functions/principles by ‘zooming in’ on narratives, events, power, values, processes and risk using a flow chart (as shown in Fig. 10.2).

STEP 3:

Use the Radical Appraisal Continuum Model’s (Trans)actionality axis (and mirror and shadow axis) to map principles and ambient functions to raise over-arching appraisal questions (e.g. Fig. 10.3).

STEP 4:

From the key findings and questions in the steps above create a repeatable matrix of risk and decisions for appraisal (for all functions and principles, while incorporating the impacts and benefits for the broader social movement and optionally, aligned social movements).
A draft and analysis for Direct Action Everywhere activist group is provided in Fig. 10.4.

Fig. 10.1 Quadrants template

A quadrant with the X axis having ‘public’ on the inner square and ‘private’ on the outer square. The Y axis has ‘group’ on the bottom square and ‘individual’ on the upper square.

Fig. 10.2 Decision Flow Template

Template elements include four header areas with blank squares underneath for notetaking:

1. Decisions for Deletion: This section provides a space to outline what information or evidence should be removed and the reasons behind those decisions.
2. Vignette and Key Decisions in Witnessing & Evidence: This area focuses on space to add specific examples or narratives that illustrate critical decision points regarding the collection and presentation of evidence.
3.  Short Term Needs: This section is designated for immediate requirements or actions that need to be taken following the witness and evidence evaluation.
4. Long Term Needs: This area addresses ongoing requirements, overarching strategies, or policy considerations that need to be maintained over time.

Bottom Section (a rectangle underneath all four boxes above) contains: Other Considerations and Values, Principles, and Functions Reflected in the Vignette: This general area allows for additional thoughts or reflections related to the vignette’s broader implications.

Fig. 10.3 Flowchart of Decision Points in a Case Study of DxE’s Strategic Witnessing

The flowchart focused on decision-making in radical record-keeping, specifically in the context of DxE’s Direct Action at Iowa Farms.

Flowchart Structure

– Main Decision Box: This outlines the central inquiry regarding the evidence of strategic witnessing. It stands out with a bold border color.

Sections and Steps

1. Decision Inquiry:

– Is the evidence of strategic witnessing crucial for future action? (This text is likely centrally located and serves as the main question guiding the flowchart.)

2. Evidence / Review:

– Connected to the decision inquiry, this likely leads to a box discussing the types of evidence needed and methods of evaluation.

3. Next Steps / Options:

– If evidence is permissible: Details about specific actions to be taken if evidence is deemed valid. This area might be highlighted or colored differently to indicate a positive outcome.

– If evidence is inadmissible: This section explains what should happen if no actionable evidence is found. It may have a cautionary color, such as yellow or red.

4. Deletion of High-Risk Information:

– Positioned in a separate box discussing the possible removal of sensitive data that could cause harm.

5. Investigation Outcomes:

– A box that discusses the goals of exposing injustice and the principle of the ‘right to rescue’. This is visually separated with bold lines or a shaded background to denote importance.

Appraisal Functions

– Text detailing the key functions and principles of long-term record-keeping.

Considerations:

– The box posing a rhetorical question: Is there a better way to ensure long-term value? This is emphasised to denote a reflective approach to the practice.

Color Coding

– Bold / Distinct Colors: Used for main decision points and important sections.

– Neutral Colors: For background information

– Cautionary Colors: (like yellow or red) for negative outcomes or risks.

 Fig. 10.4 Mapping against the RACM

The diagram is centered around the strategic use of various types of records for witnessing, activism, and memorialization. It features different text sections with varied colors and a structured layout over the top of the conical Records Continuum Model axes. Each axis has its own colour, with the appraisal axis having the shadow witnessing axis labels written in blue, and the activism axis above it in green, the (trans)actionality axis is above it in black, with (trans) in red to show the addition to the original label. Activism, Goals, Principles are also in red to show they are an extension of the original Activity, Functions and Purpose labels.

Visual Layout and Colors:
– Top Section:
– This area poses overarching questions in bold, black text regarding the purpose and creation of records.

– Middle Sections:
-Types of Records (Left): In black text, it mentions whistleblower records, media records, historical injustice, and counter-narrative records. These are organised to highlight questions related to each part of the appraisal axis related to transactions and activist activity.
– Functions/Goals and Archivization (Center): each of these labels have a box around them with the question: How to share what we’ve witnessed with authenticity and integrity?
– Purpose/Mobilzation(Right): Has example records and knowledge and their relation to purpose and mobilization. As follows:
Records for newsworthy headlines and media coverage
Knowledge sharing to grow community
Records to highlight injustice and right to rescue
Records to inspire change, to share and stir emotions

– Bottom Section (Blue Box):
– Contains key considerations and questions in black text, framed by a dotted blue line across the entire conical model to frame the witnessing shadow axis of appraisal:
– Discusses the protection of individuals sharing records.
– Addresses prevention of record duplication.
– Considers necessary infrastructures for maintaining autonomy.
– Stresses counteracting misinformation.
This layout and color scheme effectively categorise and emphasise different components related to the strategic handling of records for change and advocacy to help in developing appraisal questions.

Fig. 10.5 Template: The (Trans)actions and the Mirror and Shadow Axes

This template is a stripped down version of 10.4 for activist use in their own context. Therefore, the questions have been removed and only the axes of the Records Continuum Appraisal Model remain. The red text has been consolidated as black and the word ‘transactions’ at the conical apex (on the left) is bordered by a black box.

Fig. 10.6 Community Collaboration on an Activism Appraisal Matrix

Fig. 10.7 Critical Functional Appraisal Template

Appendix Fig. 11.1 Appraisal Matrix of Direct Action Everywhere’s Function

Fig.11.2 Description of Matrix Columns

Accordion with the following pop ups relating to the Records Continuum Model components and the description of activity happening in each. It also describes columns of the appraisal template titled ‘short term needs’ and ‘long term needs’:

CREATE

Creation, re-creation and re-use of records is the focus of this column. There is an inherent risk that DxE accepts and embraces in using platforms, creating evidence and witnessing wrongdoing. Deciding the level of risk for each witnessing event is nuanced each time. For example, the headquarters will plan some witnessing events and other witnessing is created by individuals and uploaded to DxE’s website or emailed to the group. Deciding what provenance metadata to add (or not) to witnessing records is especially important if witnesses wish to remain anonymous.

CAPTURE

There are decisions made about what is captured and into what systems for investigations and planning of strategic witnessing events. Conversations, meetings and informal planning can be formalised into minutes or recording of events and actions. Depending on the platform (and its availability and nuances in other geographies) security, ethics, privacy and threats of anticipatory witnessing exemplify the kinds of evaluation for what is captured where (if at all). Trust and agreements between members about community expectations are actioned accordingly.

ORGANISE

With distributed recordkeeping a part of the radical approach to keeping records online, bringing the achievements and evidence across multiple sub-groups and individuals needs planning and foresight as membership changes and evolves. Whether Facebook groups or Google folders, the accessibility of DxE records within platforms run by DxE members or individuals’ accounts means that policies need to be clear and communicated. The matrix prompts decisions around platform access and continuity over time. Chapters can come and go, but their critical evidence will need to be accessible or backed up. A proactive archiving plan means a chapter can reconvene more easily or refer back to past members for advice, community-building and learning. In some cases, DxE Melbourne’s chapter events can only be found in their closed Facebook group. If news reports do not adequately cover these actions, Facebook’s record of this activism is lost and only located in community memory.

PLURALISE

Pluralisation of DxE’s message is critical to build community support and mobilise to create change and to pressure for law reform. Community-run platforms can balance the misinformation about ‘humane’ farming practices in the agricultural industry and counter the demonising of open rescue as a terrorist act. The DxE website and social media platforms are just some of the ways DxE communicates the morality and success of their strategic witnessing. Platforms like Google Drive and Dropbox provide supporting infrastructure for short term sharing and accessibility between group members. DxE’s activities are re-shared and reported by supporters and detractors in various ways. By sharing a message online, it is understood that the deletion of an online pluralised record is difficult to obliterate completely in the short term. This is useful for the ongoing availability of records; however, with link rot and unreliable web archiving as the status-quo, retention columns have been added to the matrix to support mindful archiving practices in radical recordkeeping.

SHORT TERM NEEDS

Re-sharing or copying to alternate platforms or locations increases the chance for the short term availability of strategic witnessing records. DxE are already intrinsically keeping distributed copies for the re-use online and via media outlets. DxE’s YouTube is a key platform to curate video content, while the live videos are stored on Facebook. There are links out from Facebook to YouTube that will break if there is a takedown order on a YouTube video. Consistent naming of the video means that a search for the video will yield consistent results when searched for elsewhere on the Internet if copied or moved to other platforms or locations. Part of the CFA matrix is preparing members to mitigate take down threats (e.g. if YouTube’s terms of service changes its stance towards activist content) or entire platform loss, retirement or abandonment. Individuals downloading to external hard drives or organising alternative backups can have a clear role and policy guidance provided by the San Francisco Bay headquarters or local chapter leaders. Such a policy can clarify the guidance about keeping or deleting strategic witnessing records on original hardware. As the matrix is updated, the policy changes alongside it.

LONG TERM NEEDS

DxE does have a media partner that has long-term archiving (in collecting libraries) with elevated security capability due to their farming industry opposition. The availability of these archives being held behind a paywall in a collecting institution is another value-based decision by DxE and can consider alternatives. While DxE notes the animal activist movement does not yet have this level of security maturity in their operations, decentralised and self-governing systems are in place in a more informal capacity. In DxE, their decentralised system of operations means a set procedure to build trust amongst peers and the community. For example, the Google Drive co-creation of the DxE strategy document was entirely open for the public but later locked down, which prevents intervention by malicious actors. This adaptation means that risk and recordkeeping are developing as threats and risk appetites change over time.