Notes from the forest
I thought I'd kick things off by sharing some interesting things I've come across lately.
The Dark Forest
Erin Kissane makes a compelling case that “dark forest” internet spaces serve as refuges because they’re “non-indexed, non-optimized, and non-gamified.”
These dark forest spaces grow “because they provide psychological and reputational cover. They allow us to be ourselves because we know who else is there.” These protective forests included newsletters and podcasts, but also, “Slack channels, private Instagrams, invite-only message boards, text groups, Snapchat, WeChat, and on and on.
I agree with her on none of this moment’s apparently unstoppable tech platforms will survive for long. That is why I'd call dark forest internet spaces, which are based on technologies owned by large to mega-sized companies and platforms, as morning dew because of how fleeting they are.
Collective action requires that we find each other, both beforehand and in the moment, and build human networks resilient enough to withstand every kind of weather.
The first step is to make a choice for open source software and build on top of it.
DEF RADIO
Marc Mac (4hero) has released a new Visioneers album called DEF RADIO, and it's the ultimate B-boy soundtrack.
I had it on repeat for the better part of the week, and "Hurt So Bad" is the standout track. (via Paweł Grzybek)
No Tags Book
I bought No Tags: Conversations on underground music culture from the podcast and newsletter about underground music culture hosted by Tom Lea and Chal Ravens. Designed by All Purpose Studio, this book collects the best interviews and discussions from the first year of No Tags, along with four new essays by some of our favourite writers and thinkers. Can't wait to read it.
How Angry Is America?
BIG, a newsletter of the history and politics of monopoly power by Matt Stoller, on the murder of UnitedHealth Care CEO Brian Thompson:
Elite disdain for the rule of law is leading to a society that is spinning out of control. UnitedHealth Group is one of the most toxic and unaccountable companies in America, a $400 billion behemoth that systematically denies care to millions of Americas, was smack dab in the middle of the opioid crisis, cheats the government, surveils its customers, harms independent doctor’s practices, and has executives who routinely engage in what looks like insider trading.
I recommend subscribe to his blog if you like to understand platform monopoly behavior in general.
What I'm working on
This year has been rough for me. I had to made some changes towards a more positive and self-reliant outlook. The Utopia studio mix features techno from Dollis Hill to Detroit and back. I felt that the selection reflects my attitude towards these changes best.
Utopia track list:
4Hero - Humans
Posatronix - Condor
System 7 - A Cool Dry Place
Kenny Larkin - Wondering
Los Hermanos Detroit - Two Feet Up
Galaxy 2 Galaxy - Transition
Inner City - Follow Your Heart (Deep Reese Mix)
e-Dancer - Heavenly (Juan Atkins Remix)
Los Hermanos Detroit - Olmec My Brother
Derrick May - Strings of the Strings of Life
Jeff Mills - Outsiders
Dexciya - Hightech Nomads
Robert Hood - Museum
4hero - Look Inside (Izmabad Dub)
Underground Resistance - Hi Tech Jazz
