| New_ Public | http://www.newpublic.org |
🏆 Congratulations to @newsmast, Sill and Blacksky Algorithms, the winners of the first ever Open Social Awards! 👏👏👏
New_ Public, @publicspaces and @waag are proud to award them in recognition of their excellence and innovation on the open social web.
We hope you join us in following these teams and supporting their great work!
Working on climate projects using immersive media — or have a strong concept and want support getting there?
Agog is offering $25K–$200K grants for innovators, artists, organizers, researchers, impact-focused orgs, studios, and more. No XR experience required.
Projects at all stages are welcome—from early concept to more developed work. Technologies of interest include smart glasses, augmented reality, spatial sound, and mixed reality.
Applications close June 12:
agog.org/opencall2026
RE: https://mastodon.social/@404mediaco/116682055524267941
Here’s what the model makers don’t understand yet: these AI tools require your trust.
They rely on you connecting your sensitive apps and accounts.
Online moderators and community stewards have one of the toughest jobs on the internet: making digital spaces feel more human.
Recognizing the value of stewardship, and the lack of resources available, we created a guide, “Creating a Flourishing Digital Public Space for Your Local Area.”
This is for the small-scale builders making useful alternatives to Big Tech social media 👏
Angelica Quicksey, Managing Director at New_ Public, explains why we need the Open Social Awards, which are being awarded this Friday, June 5.
Also, we don’t mention it in the video, but it’s worth saying that we have winners on the Fediverse, in addition to some using ATP.
What can we learn about technology from fiction, including popular movies like The Drama? 🤖✏️
One of our community members, Jack-Lucas Chang, is seeking great writers and editors to collaboratively interrogate social tech!!
And shoutout to the All Tech Is Human community slack for facilitating this connection 🙂
Is AI inherently parasitic?
https://newpublic.substack.com/p/what-eli-said-at-the-vatican-about
Engaged California is using virtual town halls to encourage Californians to share their thoughts on the impacts of AI with their local government.
For any Californian who’s found a typical town hall inaccessible, now is the time to make your voice heard! 💬
Last year, we wrote about how Engaged California fostered trust in local government after the LA wildfires:
https://newpublic.substack.com/p/how-california-turned-wildfire-recovery
Big Tech social media isn't really social anymore. We scroll more than we post, and we consume content more than we connect with others.
Research from danah boyd suggests we should call it what it really is: parasocial media.
New_ Public
