Agency in the End Times: attention curation and escaping algorithmic control

Corporate tools for attention engagement and control are increasing their capacity dramatically with each iteration of AI models. The goal of this meetup is to dig deeply into the question of attention sovereignty and its relation to agency. We cannot hope to be fully independent of external influence, but we can decide how we focus our attention. I will be making the strong normative claim that we should direct attention toward ideas that are actionable and that increase agency. (Think globally, act locally.)

There will be many arguments about what qualifies as actionable and what qualifies as agency. Is going into the streets to protest agentic, performative, or both? Is stewing in anger and impotence over negative stories in your news feed healthy or helpful? One may well argue that attention should not be focused on agency. Vibe generation matters. I am more open to that view since moving to the hills of Mendocino (as long as they are good vibes). How do we build futures rather than worry about them? I expect this topic will generate some lively counterpoints.

As usual, please bring any other futurist topics you wish to discuss. We generally have two or three major discussions unrelated to the main topic at any given meetup.

We will be meeting at Espresso Roma Cafe. They have room inside and out, depending on the weather.