Building autonomous infrastructure for tactical media

The Blockchain Socialist

In this episode I spoke to Geert Lovink, a Dutch media theorist and founder of the Institute of Network Cultures who has been engaged with internet culture since at least the 80s. We were recently together in Cyprus for the latest installment of MoneyLab, which he also co-founded. Talking with him was a great way to gain more understanding and context of venture capital's control of the internet and the influence of that on social movements and alternative economies.
During the interview we discussed his experience and history of the growth of the internet, the rise of crypto, and tactical media as a strategy for the left. One of the things that we noted was that the question of how the left needs to build its own autonomous infrastructure was one already being explored in the 90s by activists.
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ICYMI I've written a book about, no surprise, blockchains through a left political framework! The title is Blockchain Radicals: How Capitalism Ruined Crypto and How to Fix It and is being published through Repeater Books, the publishing house started by Mark Fisher who’s work influenced me a lot in my thinking.
The book is officially published and you use this linktree to find where you can purchase the book based on your region / country.

Chapter

1. Building autonomous infrastructure for tactical media (00:00:00)

2. Internet Culture and Alternative Economy Evolution (00:00:14)

3. Venture Capital's Influence on the Economy (00:20:09)

4. MoneyLab (00:32:07)

5. Importance of Tactical and Left-Wing Media (00:49:35)

6. Optimistic Ending and Future Funding Options (01:01:25)