Year: 2024

Outreach text for the #4opens

The : For Progressive Social and Tech Change

The offers guiding principles for testing, evaluating, and promoting progressive social and tech projects. By adhering to these principles, individuals and communities prioritise initiatives that emphasise openness, collaboration, and the social good. The can be applied to drive meaningful change:

  1. Open Data

Open data is the foundation of transparency and accountability in technology and social initiatives. By making data freely accessible, shareable, and reusable by anyone, projects can, foster innovation and collaboration across sectors. Enable democratic decision-making by ensuring access to critical information. Promote public oversight of systems and institutions.

Examples: open data to track government spending and expose corruption. Monitoring environmental pollution to drive policy change. Analysing social trends to inform public planning and advocacy.

Open data provides the raw materials for progress by empowering communities to act on information.

  1. Open Source

Open source software is the backbone of a healthy, collaborative tech ecosystem. By making source code accessible and encouraging collective development, open source, accelerates innovation by allowing anyone to improve or adapt tools. Reduces reliance on corporate monopolies and proprietary software. Empowers communities to build tools tailored to their needs.

Examples: Social platforms that challenge the dominance of tech giants, built with open source tools. Privacy-focused apps and decentralised networks. Grassroots initiatives creating bespoke solutions for their communities.

Open source ensures that technology remains a public good, not a corporate commodity.

  1. Open Standards

Open “industrial” standards are vital for ensuring interoperability and compatibility between diverse technologies. By avoiding vendor lock-in and embracing common protocols, projects can promote diversity and prevent monopolistic practices, enable seamless communication across systems.

Examples: Peer-to-peer networks built on open communication protocols. Decentralised social media platforms like those in the #Fediverse that follow open standards like #ActivityPub. Open file formats that ensure data longevity and accessibility.

Open standards create the technical foundation for decentralisation and collaboration.

  1. Open Process

Open process refers to transparent and participatory decision-making that guides the development and governance of projects. By involving stakeholders at every stage, open processes, foster trust and accountability within communities, encourage collective ownership and investment in outcomes and takes democratic paths based on consensus and inclusivity.

Examples: Community-led platforms addressing social justice issues. Open governance models that empower stakeholders to make key decisions. Participatory planning that prioritises collective well-being over individual profit.

Open processes ensure that projects align with the values of the communities they serve.

Advancing the path is more than philosophy, it’s a practical roadmap for driving progressive social and technological change. To make the actionable, we develop tools for evaluation and accountability. Evaluating “Nativeness”, the serve as criteria to assess how well a project aligns with the principles of the openweb. Ratings and Badges: Assign ratings or badges based on adherence to the criteria, allowing projects to showcase their commitment to openness. Centralised Registrys: Create public directories of -compliant projects to make it easy for people to discover and support them. These mechanisms make it clear which initiatives genuinely embrace openness and which fall short.

Conclusion, the isn’t just about technology; it’s about values. It’s a framework for ensuring that the tools and systems we build reflect our commitment to transparency, collaboration, and collective progress. By adopting the , we take a vital step toward creating a decentralised, open, and people-centred internet that empowers people.

Let’s build a grounded future.

The right-wing are taking the tools, traditions and the myths of the left wing

The phenomenon of the right-wing appropriating the tools, traditions, and mythos of the left wing is a complex and multifaceted issue. This strategic attempt by conservative forces to reshape the political and cultural landscape by co-opting symbols, narratives, and strategies traditionally associated with progressive movements. It poses a significant challenge for the left, as it risks diluting the effectiveness of progressive ideas and undermining efforts to achieve social and political change.

To effectively mediate this repurposing and ensure a better-balanced outcome, the left must engage in strategic and proactive measures. Here are some tools and approaches to considered:

  1. Reclaiming Narratives: The left must actively reclaim and assert control over its narratives, symbols, and values. This involves articulating a clear and compelling vision for social justice, equality, and solidarity, and consistently communicating it through various channels, including media, art, and grassroots organizing.
  2. Counter-Messaging: In response to the right-wing’s appropriation of progressive rhetoric, the left should develop counter-messaging strategies that expose the contradictions and falsehoods inherent in conservative narratives. This will involve fact-checking, debunking misinformation, and highlighting the real-world consequences of right-wing policies and agendas.
  3. Cultural Production: The left can leverage the power of cultural production—such as music, film, literature, and visual art—to promote progressive values and inspire social change. By creating and amplifying cultural works that reflect the diversity, resilience, and aspirations of communities, the left can challenge the hegemony of right-wing cultural narratives.
  4. Community Organizing: Grassroots community organizing remains a potent tool for social and political transformation. The left should prioritize building strong, inclusive, and resilient communities that are capable of mobilizing for collective change and challenge. This involves fostering solidarity, building alliances across diverse constituencies, and empowering left voices.
  5. Policy Advocacy: The left must continue to advocate for progressive policies and reforms that address systemic inequalities and promote social justice. This includes campaigning for issues such as economic redistribution, healthcare access, environmental protection, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ issues. By advancing concrete policy solutions, the left demonstrates its commitment to improving the material conditions of real world communities.
  6. Critical Engagement: Finally, the left should engage in critical dialogue and reflection on its own internal dynamics, strategies, and blind spots. This involves interrogating power relations within progressive movements, addressing issues of privilege and exclusion, and fostering a culture of accountability and self-critique. By continuously evolving and adapting to changing political realities, the left can remain relevant and resilient in the face of right-wing co-optation.

In conclusion, navigating the challenges posed by right-wing appropriation requires a proactive approach that combines strategic communication, cultural production, community organizing, policy advocacy, and critical engagement. By reclaiming its narratives, values, and agency, the left can effectively mediate the repurposing of its tools and traditions, ultimately contributing to the change we need in the era of #climatechaos and worship of the #deathcult of the right.

Good faith in activism

It’s interesting to think about the idea of good and bad faith when dealing with people in change and challenge interactions. If you spend time in life doing activism, this will be an ongoing, unpleasant reacuringing relationship. When pushing aside, back, #mainstreaming there will be a lot of bad faith coming at you, your good faith is the best and likely only defence.

The new and old #openweb protocols

A.

The #nostr crew are the children of #web3 mess, they are a bit reformed, let’s see.
Then the #BlueSky are the reformed children of the #dotcons
The #fediverse is the child of the #openweb

Q. Where would you put #dat or #ssb and in general the #p2p post-web tools?

A.

#dat is a child of the #geekproblem if it is reformed or not, you can maybe tell me?
#SSB was a wild child, now sickly/lonely with the #fahernable kids gathering round #nostr
#p2p was the poster child of the era of the #openweb it was caught in the quicksand of legal issues, the shadow that was left was eclipsed by “free to use” #dotcons Now finds it hard to come back due to mobile devices not having an IP address, thus most people not actually able to use p2p reliably.

Why are tech alternative to the #mainstreaming important.

The #OMN family of projects holds significant importance in the realm of digital media and online communication for several reasons:

  1. Decentralization: The #OMN family emphasizes decentralization, allowing people and communities to have greater control over their own media environments. By decentralizing content creation, distribution, and consumption, the #OMN projects promote diversity of voices and perspectives, mitigating the dominance of centralized platforms and gatekeepers.
  2. Openness: The projects adhere to principles of openness, transparency, and inclusivity. They provide open access to information and facilitate collaborative content creation, enabling anyone to participate in the media ecosystem regardless of their background or resources. Openness fosters a culture of sharing, learning, and community building.
  3. Media Pluralism: The #OMN family promotes media pluralism by empowering diverse voices and viewpoints. It encourages the circulation of alternative narratives and marginalized perspectives that may be overlooked or misrepresented in mainstream media. This diversity enriches public discourse and promotes a more nuanced understanding of complex issues.
  4. Resilience: By decentralizing media infrastructure and distribution channels, the #OMN projects enhance the resilience of the media ecosystem. They reduce reliance on centralized platforms that may be prone to censorship, manipulation, or disruption. This resilience is particularly important in safeguarding freedom of expression and access to information in the face of political or technological challenges.
  5. Community Engagement: The projects prioritize community engagement and participation, fostering active citizenship and democratic deliberation. They provide tools and platforms for grassroots organizing, civic engagement, and collective action, enabling communities to mobilize around shared interests, causes, and initiatives.
  6. Empowerment: Through decentralized, participatory, and open approaches to media production and distribution, the #OMN projects empower people and communities to have agency over their own narratives and representation. They democratize access to media technologies and resources, enabling marginalized groups to amplify their voices and advocate for social change.

In summary, the #OMN family of projects plays a crucial role in advancing principles of decentralization, openness, media pluralism, resilience, community engagement, and empowerment in the digital media landscape. By embracing these values, the projects contribute to building a more democratic, inclusive, and equitable media ecosystem.

https://unite.openworlds.info/

Funding Application: Governance with the Open Governance Body (#OGB)

Introduction: The Open Governance Body (#OGB) represents a beacon of hope in the evolving digital world, where governance lags behind technological advancements and societal changes. In a landscape cluttered with flawed systems and ineffective #mainstreaming politics, the OGB offers an innovative and participatory approach to governance—a blueprint for the future of human-scale decision-making.

Problem Statement: Traditional governance models, whether in the realm of Free/Open Source (#FOSS) software or mainstream politics, suffer from inherent flaws. They either struggle with scalability or are too rigid to adapt to local contexts. The feudalistic hierarchy embedded in FOSS governance structures is ill-suited for the digital age. The need for a more effective, scalable, and adaptive governance model has never been more apparent.

Solution: The #OGB emerges at the intersection of grassroots activism and federated technology. Leveraging the proven framework of ActivityPub—a decentralized protocol powering platforms like Mastodon—the OGB creates a platform for organic activist governance. Through a blend of federated technology and grassroots activism, the OGB introduces a simple yet powerful platform based on sortation, ensuring the distribution of roles and responsibilities and fostering efficient decision-making processes.

Proof of Concept: The success of the OGB is not theoretical; it comes from field-testing with promising results. Collaborations with the European Union demonstrate the versatility of ActivityPub and the #Fediverse, showcasing the potential for real-world impact. The OGB’s ability to empower communities to self-govern, bypassing cumbersome bureaucracy, is a testament to its potential to revolutionize governance at all levels.

Vision: Imagine a bustling local street market governed by its community members—stallholders, shoppers, and local service providers—all having a say in decision-making processes. The OGB facilitates such self-governance through a permissionless rollout, allowing people to set up a governance community with ease. A sortation algorithm orchestrates decision-making, naturally encouraging more stakeholders to participate and fostering a sense of ownership and collaboration.

Scalability and Adaptability: The OGB’s impact extends beyond local markets; it embodies scalability and adaptability. Just as the #fediverse has grown organically over the years, the OGB can proliferate across societal facets, weaving a tapestry of self-governance that transcends traditional fixed boundaries.

Call to Action: The OGB is not only a project; it is a culmination of centuries of activism and social organizing techniques, combined with remarkable #openweb technological advancements. It offers a modern solution rooted in historical success—a rallying cry for those seeking real, lasting change through cooperative, human-centric paths. As we stand at the precipice of a new era, the OGB beckons us to embrace a future where technology enables democracy and human connection. It invites us to join a grassroots revolution, co-creating a governance model that aligns with our times and aspirations. With the OGB, progress doesn’t ask for permission—it extends an open invitation to innovate, participate, and effectuate change. Join the movement, and let’s shape a future where governance works for everyone.

Budget Justification: Funds are needed for technological infrastructure development, community outreach and engagement, research and development, and operational expenses. Detailed budget breakdown available upon request.

Conclusion: Thank you for considering the funding application for the Open Governance Body. Together, we need to usher in a new era of governance that empowers communities, fosters collaboration, and creates a more inclusive and equitable society. We can’t keep making the current mess.

https://opencollective.com/open-media-network

Funding Application: Open Media Network (OMN)

Project Overview: The Open Media Network (OMN) is a groundbreaking project that aims to revolutionize digital media by building trust-based human networks using technology. At its core, the #OMN enables users to publish, subscribe, moderate, rollback, and edit content across various sites within the network. This unique approach empowers users to control the content they receive and ensures that it comes from trusted sources, fostering transparency, accountability, and democratization of information.

Project Benefits:

  1. Democratization of Information: The OMN empowers users to control and manage the content they receive, ensuring that it comes from trusted sources and fostering a more informed and engaged citizenry.
  2. Transparency and Accountability: By promoting openness and transparency, the OMN holds content creators and publishers accountable, fostering trust and credibility within the network.
  3. Preservation of Digital Heritage: The archiving functionality of the OMN ensures that valuable digital content is preserved for future generations, safeguarding our collective digital heritage.
  4. Grassroots Engagement: The OMN promotes grassroots engagement and collaboration, enabling individuals and communities to share their stories, amplify their voices, and challenge dominant narratives.
  5. Scalability and Sustainability: The federated nature of the OMN allows for scalability and sustainability, as anyone can participate in the network and contribute to its growth and development.

Budget Breakdown:

  1. Platform Development: $45,000
  2. Tagging Functionality: $7,000
  3. Test Nodes: $10,000
  4. Outreach and Collaboration: $5,000
  5. Maintenance and Support: $8,000
  6. Contingency: $5,000

Total Budget: $80,000

Timeline:

  • Platform Development: 18 months
  • Tagging Functionality: 3 months
  • Outreach and Collaboration: Ongoing
  • Maintenance and Support: Ongoing

Conclusion: The Open Media Network (OMN) is a vital project for the #openweb, promoting transparency, accountability, and democratization of information in the digital age. By funding this initiative, we can empower users to control and manage the content they receive, preserve valuable digital content for future generations, and foster grassroots engagement and collaboration. Together, let’s build a more open, transparent, and equitable media ecosystem for all. Thank you for considering our funding application.

Funding Application: MakingHistory – Archiving the Open Media Network

Project Overview: MakingHistory is an initiative within the Open Media Network (#OMN) aimed at preserving and archiving digital content shared across the network. It operates on the same principles and workflow as the renowned Indymedia project but utilizes a different template to organize and categorize content. The primary objective of MakingHistory is to ensure that valuable digital content shared within the OMN ecosystem (and wider #openweb) is preserved for posterity, fostering transparency, accountability, and the democratization of information.

Project Objectives:

  1. Develop and implement a tagging function within the OMN platform to facilitate the archiving process.
  2. Establish archiving nodes within the OMN network to serve as repositories for tagged content.
  3. Enable users to choose specific hashtags for archiving, providing a customizable and decentralized approach to content preservation.
  4. Provide users with a “lossy” view of archived content across the network, allowing them to prioritize which content to focus on archiving.
  5. Foster collaboration with institutions such as libraries, archive.org, and universities to ensure the long-term preservation of archived content in structured formats.
  6. Maintain adherence to the principles of the , ensuring that all archived content remains openly accessible and transparent.

Project Benefits:

  1. Preservation of Digital Heritage: MakingHistory ensures that valuable digital content shared within the OMN ecosystem is preserved for future generations, safeguarding our collective digital heritage.
  2. Democratization of Information: By enabling users to archive content based on their interests and priorities, MakingHistory fosters a decentralized approach to information preservation, democratizing access to knowledge.
  3. Transparency and Accountability: MakingHistory promotes transparency and accountability by archiving content in an open and accessible manner, allowing for greater scrutiny and oversight.
  4. Collaboration and Engagement: MakingHistory encourages collaboration with institutions and individuals interested in preserving digital content, fostering a sense of community and engagement within the OMN network.
  5. Scalability and Sustainability: The federated nature of MakingHistory allows for scalability and sustainability, as anyone can run an archiving node within the OMN network, ensuring redundancy and resilience.

Budget Breakdown:

  1. Development of Tagging Function: $10,000
  2. Establishment of Archiving Nodes: $15,000
  3. Outreach and Collaboration: $5,000
  4. Maintenance and Support: $7,000
  5. Contingency: $3,000

Total Budget: $40,000

Timeline:

  • Development and Implementation of Tagging Function: 3 months
  • Establishment of Archiving Nodes: 6 months
  • Outreach and Collaboration: Ongoing
  • Maintenance and Support: Ongoing

Conclusion: MakingHistory is a critical initiative within the Open Media Network, dedicated to preserving and archiving digital content in a decentralized and transparent manner. With your support, we can ensure that valuable digital content is safeguarded for future generations, fostering transparency, accountability, and the democratization of information. Together, let’s make history by preserving our digital heritage for generations to come. Thank you for considering our funding application.

Why fund the reboot of the indymedia project

In the midst of this upheaval, the #Indymedia project emerged as a beacon of hope—a grassroots effort to reclaim the narrative and provide a platform for voices marginalized by mainstream media. Indymedia embodied the principles of the #openweb, empowering people and communities to share stories, amplify unheard voices, and challenge dominant narratives.

The Indymedia Legacy

Indymedia was more than just a website; it was a global network of activists, journalists, and concerned citizens committed to truth and transparency. It transcended geographical boundaries, connecting people across continents and cultures in a shared struggle for social justice and equality.

However, like many grassroots initiatives, Indymedia faced its share of challenges. As the digital landscape evolved, maintaining the infrastructure and funding needed to sustain such a project became increasingly difficult. The rise of social media platforms further marginalized independent media outlets, diverting attention and resources away from alternative voices.

The Need for a Reboot

Despite its decline, the spirit of Indymedia lives on—a testament to the enduring importance of grassroots media in an age dominated by corporate interests. But to truly reclaim the narrative and challenge the status quo, we need to breathe new life into the Indymedia project.

A reboot of Indymedia represents an opportunity to reignite the flame of grassroots activism and reclaim the openweb for the people. By leveraging emerging technologies and decentralized platforms, we can create a space where voices are heard, stories are shared, and truth prevails.

Why Fund the Reboot?

Funding the reboot of the Indymedia project is not just an investment in a website; it’s an investment in democracy, transparency, and social justice. Here’s why:

  1. Amplifying Marginalized Voices: Indymedia provides a platform for marginalized communities to share their stories and experiences, amplifying voices that are often overlooked or silenced by mainstream media.
  2. Challenging Dominant Narratives: By providing an alternative to mainstream media narratives, Indymedia encourages critical thinking and challenges the status quo, fostering a more informed and engaged citizenry.
  3. Building Community: Indymedia fosters a sense of community among activists, journalists, and citizens committed to social change, creating connections and solidarity across geographical boundaries.
  4. Promoting Transparency: Unlike corporate media platforms driven by profit motives, Indymedia is committed to transparency and accountability, ensuring that information is shared openly and ethically.
  5. Empowering Individuals: Indymedia empowers people to become active participants in the media landscape, encouraging citizen journalism and grassroots activism.

In a world increasingly dominated by corporate interests and centralized control, the reboot of the Indymedia project offers a beacon of hope—a chance to reclaim the openweb for the people and reignite the flame of grassroots activism. By funding this initiative, we can create a space where voices are heard, truth prevails, and democracy thrives.

What people need to outreach the #OGB

The Open Governance Body (#OGB) represents a beacon of hope in the ever-evolving digital world, where governance often lags behind technological advancements and social changes. In a landscape cluttered with flawed systems and ineffective mainstream politics, the OGB offers an innovative and participatory approach to governance—a blueprint for the future of human-scale decision-making.

Traditional governance models, whether in the realm of Free/Open Source (FOSS) software or mainstream politics, suffer from inherent flaws. They either struggle with scalability or are too rigid to adapt to local contexts. The feudalistic hierarchy embedded in many FOSS governance structures is ill-suited for the digital age. The need for a more effective, scalable, and adaptive governance model has never been more apparent.

The OGB emerges at the intersection of grassroots activism and federated technology. It leverages the proven framework of ActivityPub—a decentralized protocol powering platforms like Mastodon—to create a network for organic activist governance. Through a blend of federated technology and grassroots activism, the OGB introduces a simple yet powerful platform based on sortation, ensuring distribution of roles and responsibilities and fostering efficient decision-making processes.

The success of the OGB is not just theoretical; it comes from field-testing with promising results. Collaborations with the European Union demonstrate the versatility of ActivityPub and the fediverse, showcasing the potential for real-world impact. The OGB’s ability to empower communities to self-govern, bypassing cumbersome bureaucracy, is a testament to its potential to revolutionize governance at many levels.

Imagine a bustling local street market governed by its community members—stallholders, shoppers, and local service providers—all having a say in decision-making processes. The OGB facilitates such self-governance through a permissionless rollout, allowing anyone to set up a governance community with ease. Sortation orchestrates decision-making, naturally encouraging more stakeholders to participate and fostering a sense of ownership and collaboration.

But the OGB’s impact extends beyond local markets; it embodies scalability and adaptability. Just as the #fediverse has grown organically over the years, the OGB has the potential to proliferate across societal facets, weaving a tapestry of self-governance to transcend traditional boundaries.

The OGB is not just a project; it is a culmination of centuries of activism and social organizing techniques, combined with remarkable technological advancements. This offers a modern solution rooted in historical success—a rallying cry for those seeking real, lasting change through cooperative, human-centric paths.

As we stand at the precipice of a new era, the OGB beckons us to embrace a future where technology enables democracy and human connection. It invites us to join a grassroots revolution, co-creating a governance model that aligns with our times and aspirations. With the #OGB, progress doesn’t ask for permission—it extends an open invitation to innovate, participate, and effectuate change. Join the movement, and let’s shape a future where governance works for everyone

Funding LINK

Coding LINK

Rebooting Indymedia: Restoring the OpenWeb and Grassroots Technology

Hamish Campbell, looking at the past and future of “native” grassroots media.

In the last three decades, the digital landscape has undergone dramatic changes. I have witnessed its evolution firsthand, working in radical media and engaging with grassroots technology. But this journey hasn’t been without its challenges and setbacks.

The Dawn of the OpenWeb

The early years of the #openweb were a golden age. It was a time when the power of connectivity and innovation was shared and wielded by people rather than confined to corporate silos. This openweb we cherished was built at a human scale, with real conversations and decisions made not by algorithms or profit-driven entities, but by human beings with a vision for a decentralized and inclusive digital space.

However, those pioneering days of the openweb seem distant now. The landscape rapidly shifted, favoring echo chambers over open forums, transforming the dream of a participatory digital spaces into commercialized pockets designed to commodify our data and society

The Rise and Fall of .Coms

The term #dotcons, inspired by the .com boom, exposes the underlying deceit in this new era of the internet. Companies emerged with the aim of capitalizing on our online presence, turning every click and keystroke into a financial opportunity. Social media platforms like #Facebook—aptly dubbed #Failbook and others have become disasters for both our personal mental health and societal construct.

The Encryptionist Agenda

In response to the corporatization of the web, alternative technology, especially within radical grassroots movements, began to focus heavily on encryption. Yet this #encryptionist agenda, instead of fostering a true alternative, led us to a dead end. #Indymedia, which once stood as a beacon of open, participatory journalism, eventually succumbed to this closed technology approach.

The Plight of Progressive Technology

#Fashionista politics—those which blindly follow trends without questioning the underlying systems—have dominated the progressive tech landscape, often embracing the very platforms that stand contrary to open standards. The ideals that spurred movements and created spaces for change have been eroded, leaving us in a technological quagmire that stifles creativity and real progress.

Rebuilding from the Roots

Despite these challenges, hope remains for a resurgence of grassroots media. By revisiting the core principles that made #Indymedia a force in its early days, we can steer the movement back on course.

A Simple Federated Network

I consider Oxford IMC, which I co-founded, as a blueprint for this revival. Through a network of trust-based content sharing, we can create a federated model that allows information to flow freely yet responsibly.

Think of it as a series of nodes: activist news websites, Mastodon instances, peertube channels, and local blogs, all interlinked by trust and moderated collaboration, governed by a simple yet effective set of controls—including link subscribe, moderate/trusted flow, and rollback functions to maintain the integrity of our content.

Trust First, Moderate Later

By focusing on trust-first networking, where content flows are based on established relationships, we not only streamline communication but also protect against the pitfalls of a closed, controlled web. This approach allows for open, decentralized storytelling, with an organic curation system that respects the diversity and autonomy of each node.

Reclaiming and Reshaping Security

Recognizing the need for secure communication without sacrificing openness, the reboot incorporates both bridges to other network publishing and guidelines for pseudo-anonymous contributions through Tor.

These measures provide a balanced approach, enabling activists to share their stories without fear of repercussion while maintaining a spirit of openness and community-driven journalism.

Foundations of the Reboot

Central to this reboot are the #PGA hallmarks and the #4opens—open data, open source, open standards, and open process. This framework, informed by the lessons from #Indymedia’s past, will ensure that we do not repeat the same mistakes.

Moreover, by adopting federated databases and leveraging tags and flows of news objects, this network will function as a vibrant, resilient web of news, accessible at different levels and capable of adapting to the ever-changing demands of radical grassroots journalism.

Be Part of the Open Media Reboot

I invite you to join us as we embark on this journey to reclaim our digital commons. If you share the vision for an open, grassroots-powered web, visit http://unite.openworlds.info and contribute your expertise. With a commitment to the and a collaborative spirit, we can usher in a new era of the fediverse centered on truth, empowerment, and community.

This is more than a project—it’s a movement. Let’s create a network that stands as a testament to our collective power, one that honors our past achievements while forging a future that lives up to our highest aspirations. Let’s make history, again.

The open web is not just a concept; it’s our birthright. Together, let’s bring it back to life.

This blog post is a call to action. It’s a bid to revive the original spirit of #Indymedia and extend a hand to those willing to contribute to the future of open, grassroots media.

# Introduction
– Hamish Campbell’s background in grassroots and radical media
– The open web’s early potential for alternative media

# The Failure of Alternative Media
– Rise of big tech like Facebook led to closed and monopolized systems
– Encryptionist agenda went nowhere over the past decade
– Climate crisis shows need for societal alternatives

# The Open Media Network
– Explaining the decentralized federated network model
– Trusted flows of content based on open standards

# Rebooting Indymedia
– Rebuilding the local community news site with focus areas
– Approaches for enabling secure anonymous publishing

# Why Indymedia Failed
– Early successes but internal disputes over openness
– Problems with incompatible customized systems
– Control desires led to user-hostile encryption

# Lessons Learned
– Open standards critical for networks
– Loose flexible processes over rigid bureaucracy
– Explicitly embedding the “four opens” philosophy

# Project Overview
– Building a web of trusted news flows
– Agnostic decentralized network via protocols like ActivityPub
– Get involved to help create alternative media

A Old Video