An edited essay version of a June 2026 talk unpacking the Protocol Institute's core thesis: New Nature = AI and Protocols entangled at planetary scale. Develops the Humboldt analogy, the Evil Twins Thesis (AI as irresistible force, protocols as immovable objects), the three-circle Venn of AI/Protocols/Planetary, and PI's positioning as a Context Tank in the priceless-planetary quadrant.
Slide deck from the June 17, 2026 New Nature talk. Covers the Humboldt parallel, the Evil Twins Thesis (AI vs Protocols), the three-circle Venn diagram of AI/Protocols/Planetary, PI's Context Tank positioning, and the Special Interest Group research model. Companion to the essay at protocolized.io/features/new-nature.
Venkatesh Rao
Protocolized is hosting a live town hall on cosmopolises, nation-states, and metropolises as part of their Protocol Symposium outreach, with applications due August 22 for both the Foundations Workshop and School components running September 12-19. The initiative aims to teach participants the technological and social literacies needed to understand protocol design while convening technical researchers to develop a formal, mathematizable theory of protocols.
Protocolized
This monthly note examines how conflict and competition are essential rather than avoidable elements of business strategy, critiquing the popularity of Blue Ocean Strategy's conflict-averse approach. Drawing from the first month of the Protocols for Business Special Interest Group, the author argues that successful corporate strategy requires embracing trade-offs, arguments, and tensions rather than seeking uncontested markets.
Timber Stinson-Schroff