Protopian Prize | Brainstorm & Discussion Salon on what a plausible better future might be
🌱 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 — built by real people making real change against real obstacles.
🎯 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:
🤖 Track 1: Public AI
Imagine AI development, policy, and tools built for — and grounded in — genuine public benefit.
Topics might include:
- ✅ Ethical training and sustainable maintenance
- 🎨 Creator-friendly implementation
- 🤝 Collective rather than corporate ownership
- 💡 New uses that complement rather than replace human strengths
🏛️ Track 2: Democratic Futures
Imagine institutions, tools, and organizational methods that expand public autonomy and shared societal control.
Topics might include:
- 🌍 Inclusive community-building
- 🗳️ Improved decision-making processes
- 📦 Better delivery of public goods
- 🛡️ New techniques for combating disinformation, surveillance, and authoritarian constraints
🗺️ How the Evening Unfolds
- 💬 Brainstorm — We open with two seed prompts answered popcorn-style. Feel free to bring stories you've read and can reference!
- 🧠 Mind Map — Together, we build a shared mind map on the board
- 👥 Small Groups — Groups of 4–5 dive deep into one branch each
- 📋 Reconvene & Share — We come back together, share findings, and optionally draft a short collation for the EA Forum
👐 Who Should Come?
This salon welcomes everyone who wants to think rigorously about what "better" actually requires — not just writers. If you care about AI futures, democratic governance, or simply enjoy structured, imaginative thinking, this evening is for you.
