I’ll give a 15 min overview of anonymous message boards and how they helped shape the internet. I’ll also discuss the downsides of anonymous message boards and why they can be scary. Then I’ll use Ostrom Principles to discuss how we can think of privacy as a public good and use it as an asset (not a liability) for strong, healthy communities. Lastly, together as a group, we will set up our own completely anonymous, decentralized and permanent message board to put our theories into action. This session is good for anyone who has ever surfed Reddit, PostSecret or other community message boards.
This session works for large and small groups alike. If many participants attend, we will organize into breakout groups for the workshop.
We're hoping that many efforts and discussions will continue after Mozfest. Share any ideas you already have for how to continue the work from your session.:After this session, my hope is that people will have a permanent anonymous message board for a specific, shared goal. They will also have the tools to "fork" the code and create an entirely new board if they so choose. I also hope that people come away more empowered to engage in digital spaces and reclaim communities where they previously felt excluded.
Elena likes meeting new people and working with emerging technology. She founded Blockchain Latinx, a monthly meetup group. She works at Electric Coin Co, the team that launched Zcash.