18th Jun 2024 Gemini 1.5 Pro
Tibet Sprague, a self-described "communitarian technologist," has dedicated his life to building communities and technology for social good. Frustrated by capitalism's tendency to co-opt and undermine his work, Sprague co-founded the Taron Collective, a group of like-minded individuals committed to creating positive change.
"...created the Terran Collective with some friends six, seven years ago now to kind of create a container to do the work we wanted to do in the world, create change in the world, and kind of protect it in a certain way from the sort of extractive profit-driven orientation of companies these days."
The Taron Collective operates as a supportive network of friends, many of whom are technologists, working together on various projects. Their focus is on developing systems and tools that facilitate collaboration and cooperation, both among humans and between humanity and the Earth. This shared vision led them to Hylo, a pro-social coordination platform.
Hylo is a unique platform with an unusual history. Initially a for-profit venture-backed startup, it was later acquired by Holochain but ultimately entrusted to the Taron Collective. This transition liberated Hylo from VC pressures, allowing it to operate as a nonprofit, open-source platform.
Hylo distinguishes itself from other platforms like Facebook and Slack by prioritizing ethical data practices and community ownership.
"And so our orientation with Hylo is, is really like, how do we build the tools that help humans learn to cooperate with each other at every scale, but starting with small groups and bioregions."
Sprague emphasizes the importance of building trust and relationships, encouraging users to engage in real-world activities that foster cooperation and create tangible change.
While acknowledging the potential of Web3 technologies like blockchain, Sprague expresses a healthy skepticism towards their current applications. He cautions against the over-financialization of these technologies, particularly in the context of DAOs, where tokenized voting can concentrate power in the hands of a few.
Sprague advocates for a balanced approach, recognizing that blockchain is not a one-size-fits-all solution. He stresses the importance of prioritizing user experience and accessibility, particularly for non-technical users.
"And, you know, of course, for all of this wanting to integrate as much as possible with what's out there. But you probably will be building tools that work with fiat and tools that work with a wallet and, you know, support DAOs where they're at as well as your local activist group and your bioregional, you know, governance organization and things like that."
Hylo aims to integrate Web3 technologies strategically, focusing on areas where they offer clear benefits, such as securing votes on a blockchain for transparency.
One of Hylo's most innovative features is its place-based layer, allowing users to connect with others based on their physical location. This feature, coupled with map layers depicting bioregions, watersheds, and indigenous territories, seeks to foster a deeper understanding of place.
Sprague envisions Hylo as a tool for fostering bioregional governance, where communities manage resources collectively based on the carrying capacity of their ecosystems.
"And that to me is like the first step in moving towards a kind of bioregional model of human coordination and governance and economy where we're all really connected to the place and kind of thinking about how do we work together as humans in a shared home, in a shared place..."
Hylo aims to support this transition by providing tools for resource sharing, decision-making, and community organizing at the bioregional level.
Sprague acknowledges the complexities of human coordination, emphasizing the importance of fostering trust, embracing conflict resolution, and building relationships. He highlights the need for transparency and open communication in navigating the messy realities of collective decision-making.
"...as we start reorienting towards kind of mutual aid systems and local economies, circular economies, we're going to have to be in relationship. And so, you know, I think one of the biggest lessons is the sort of like a commitment to place and to people and just a commitment to like working through those messy relational dynamics."
He points to Canticle Farm in Oakland, California, as an inspiring example of a community actively practicing restorative justice and fostering deep connections between people and place. Sprague believes that technology, when designed thoughtfully, can facilitate these processes and strengthen community bonds. Hylo, with its focus on prosocial behavior and bioregionalism, represents a step towards a future where technology empowers communities to thrive in a regenerative way.
Airtable