Sarah Friend explores the tension between autonomous systems and controlled environments in high-stakes software through personal narrative and philosophical reflection. The issue also features a guest talk with EigenLayer CEO Sreeram Kannan and announces an extension for the terminological twists contest.
This issue covers neural defenses and brain-computer interface risks explored by a Canadian design lab, alongside announcements for an upcoming talk on hardened commons and Protocol Worlds at Edge Esmeralda. The newsletter also introduces Martin Harrigan, a lecturer and researcher in cryptography and blockchains, as part of the 2025 Summer of Protocols teaching fellows spotlight series.
Timber Stinson-Schroff
This issue features worldbuilding analysis of the AI-generated film South Beast Asia, examining ten core traits designed to explore distributed AI systems through a Southeast Asian-inspired lens developed at the Khlongs & Subaks workshop. The piece unpacks how fictional 'strange rules' address questions of AI distribution while the issue also hosts a guest talk with AI Snake Oil author Arvind Sarayanan.
Sam Chua
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