Writer, Researcher, Technologist

I am working to understand the nature of identity, agency, and value, and how technology is changing these issues today.

I am sincere to a fault. I care tremendously about ideas, and I can't help but see the greatness in people. I crave moments that vibrate, alive with possibility. Above all, I want to taste my life, and to fully allow the delight and sorrow and timeless mystery that come from making true contact with others.

I'm the co-founder of Other Internet Research Institute.

As an independent researcher, I'm charting a path for serious intellectual practice outside the academy. In recent years my research focus has drifted toward understanding the institutions and social technologies that shape our lives, and how they relate to my perennial interest: the moral architecture of our world.

Other Internet is a nonprofit institute that supports work in this vein. We've funded and supported theoretical and experimental research on internet-native institutions, blockchain governance, education, and internet communities.

Prior to Other Internet, I held design and product positions at some early stage software companies. I continue to advise friends and founders of orgs and startups I think should exist. I've worked with and advised Coin Center, Variant Fund, Gitcoin, Brud, Tlon, Interchain Foundation, Propel, USB Club, One Fact Foundation, and Metropolis.

I write on my blog, Subpixel Space, as well as for Other Internet. I've written about a lot of different things, but a recurrent theme is how technology, moral regimes, and social structures shift and influence one another.

Here is some of my more well-known cultural analysis:

• After Authenticity
• Life After Lifestyle
• The Diminishing Marginal Value of Aesthetics
• Squad Wealth
• Positive Sum Worlds

And here are a few business-oriented pieces of writing:

• Headless Brands
• Market Protocol Fit
• Premonition

Sometimes I give talks or lead workshops.
Cult Design Workshop, Pioneer Works
The New Era of Trust, Refactor Camp
Value Investing in Cults and Religions, Refactor Camp
Networked Institutions, Greenpill Podcast
Authenticity Dungeon, New Models Podcast
The Desire for Full Automation, Trust

Along with Tom Critchlow, I'm one of the creators of Quotebacks, an open-source tool for web-native quoting and conversation. We're not so good at maintaining it, but it's one of my favorite projects.