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Academy for Philosophy, Science & Liberatory Technics

Dear friends,

Science and technology are nowadays considered domains of rationality. They are thought to be governed by cold, objective logic, spaces in which the irrationality and deceptive emotions of politics and religion have no place. Yet we know that the reality couldn't be further from the truth. From Pythagoras to Lovelace, from Hypatia to Von Neumann — the pioneers of scientific exploration were driven by ideological convictions. The modern myth of a "neutral" science is not only obscuring the intentions behind the directions education, research and development are taking (as it is supposed to), it also drives brilliant and creative people away from science and engineering because they find it too rigid and shackled.

For most of the 20th century, technology meant salvation, considered to lead humanity to freedom and prosperity. Over the last few decades, that has significantly shifted, to a degree where a highly dystopian future as a direct consequence of uncontrolled technology — or even the total annihilation of our world — is seen by many as inevitable. Are we really fated to suffer enslavement by an AI overlord or nuclear holocaust? Are these scenarios slowly but steadily becoming self-fulfilling prophecies?

We believe that not technology is the problem, but the forces directing and restricting its use and development. When the people regain the agency to create, shape and wield technology, it can be part of the salvation we need. But who is "the people"? And what does technology actually mean?

Three years ago we — a small group of programmers, engineers and veterans of the revolution in Kurdistan — set out to find answers to these questions. Answers that do not only sound nice, but give direction and allow us to use our skills meaningfully and powerfully. Out of that grew Adalan — the idea of a permanent academy for philosophy, science and liberatory technics.

Until now, it isn't much more than an idea. We'd like to invite you to take the next step with us. At the end of this year we are beginning with a study group that over the course of 9 months will dive deep into history, sociology, spirituality and economics. We want to be able to not only understand the dilemma but find practical actionable ways to solve it. We want to develop a strategy and implement it. The results of the study group will be the basis for this.

What am I signing up for?

  • Remote live audio sessions once a month
  • 1-2 chat meetings or asynchronous text exchanges in between sessions
  • Presentations, discussions and workshops following a structured curriculum
  • A community of hackers, philosophers and rebels dedicated to the cause of freedom for all

> A selection of contents:

  • A brief history of freedom and domination; or: Community and the State
  • What are ethics of freedom? How to live them?
  • AI and AGI today and tomorrow
  • Social defense in an age of global warfare
  • Women, patriarchy and technology
  • What is an academy? Historical and modern examples
  • The infrastructure of incorruptible communications
  • Mythology: Visions of the past
  • Democratic Modernity: Visions of the future
  • Tools of digital autonomy
  • Why to fight
  • How to fight

> What is expected of me?

  • Regular and active participation
  • At least 8 hours a month of time for self-study
  • Willingness to study books and texts from both social and natural sciences
  • Consistent participation (as best you can) throughout the curriculum
  • Sharing own research, experiences and insights with other participants
  • Radical openness about new and potentially divergent ideas
  • Humble, constructive and honest approach to oneself and others

Let us know if you want to join the study group but have doubts whether you can fulfill the expectations. We're committed to enable participation from different time zones and for people with children, relatives in need of care or other obligations that complicate scheduling.

> Can I participate in other ways too?

Yes! You can:

  • Host, maintain and develop infrastructure
  • Help with research and preparing educational materials
  • Donate money or propose an income stream
  • Spread the word to like-minded people

Ready to join?

If you're interested in joining the study group, please let us know as soon as possible. We'll be starting in late December, and the full curriculum will run for 9 months. Since the program follows a structured progression, it's important to be there from the beginning — joining midway through won't be possible.

"You cannot buy the revolution. You cannot make the revolution. You can only be the revolution. It is in your spirit, or it is nowhere."

— From The Dispossessed by Ursula Le Guin