Protopian Prize | Brainstorm & Discussion Salon on what a plausible better future might be
π± What Does a Workably Better Future Actually Look Like?
Not utopia. Not collapse. Something far more challenging: a future that's genuinely and plausibly better than today β built by real people making real change against real obstacles.
π― About the Event
This is a discussion salon organized around the Protopian Prize, a 2026 fiction contest inviting writers to envision liberatory futures and the messy, complicated work of getting there.
The Prize's two thematic tracks will frame our conversation:
π€ Track 1: Public AI
Imagine AI development, policy, and tools built for β and grounded in β genuine public benefit.
Topics might include:
- β Ethical training and sustainable maintenance
- π¨ Creator-friendly implementation
- π€ Collective rather than corporate ownership
- π‘ New uses that complement rather than replace human strengths
ποΈ Track 2: Democratic Futures
Imagine institutions, tools, and organizational methods that expand public autonomy and shared societal control.
Topics might include:
- π Inclusive community-building
- π³οΈ Improved decision-making processes
- π¦ Better delivery of public goods
- π‘οΈ New techniques for combating disinformation, surveillance, and authoritarian constraints
πΊοΈ How the Evening Unfolds
- π¬ Brainstorm β We open with two seed prompts answered popcorn-style. Feel free to bring stories you've read and can reference!
- π§ Mind Map β Together, we build a shared mind map on the board
- π₯ Small Groups β Groups of 4β5 dive deep into one branch each
- π Reconvene & Share β We come back together, share findings, and optionally draft a short collation for the EA Forum
π Who Should Come?
This salon welcomes everyone who wants to think rigorously about what "better" actually requires β not just writers. If you care about AI futures, democratic governance, or simply enjoy structured, imaginative thinking, this evening is for you.
π Register here
