We are sunsetting the Vagobond brand and moving all of our operations to Indignified.com PLEASE OPT IN FOR A FREE SUBSCRIPTION at

INDIGNIFIED Live a free, creative & powerful life.

Indignified: Teaching people how to live free, creative, and powerful lives.This is a reader-powered publication. Join for free to get new posts—or become a paid subscriber to fuel the work and movement behind Indignified.

By CD | INDIGNIFIED

I say we, like I’m some kind of royalty, but it’s just me - CD - some of you know me as Vago, Chris, or Christopher. Indignified.com is where you will find all of my books in print for purchase, download, or reading online. There is also a list of my books out of print and links to things like videos and podcasts.

Some housekeeping…

I’ll be leaving this substack and the vagabond.com sites up so if you have favorite stories or posts they will still be there. I won’t be monitoring for comments or things like that though.

Your best bet for interaction is using the free chat feature at https://indignified.substack.com - but you’ll have to opt in.

You can always see everything on the website.

Thanks again, and if you like my books or writing, please tell a few friends to check them out if you feel like it.

Love,

CD

Thank you again for all of your support through the years. Please feel free to opt out of this list if you want but I don’t expect to be using it. For my free articles, books, videos, and more make sure to go subscribe at

INDIGNIFIED Live a free, creative & powerful life.

Indignified: Teaching people how to live free, creative, and powerful lives.This is a reader-powered publication. Join for free to get new posts—or become a paid subscriber to fuel the work and movement behind Indignified.

By CD | INDIGNIFIED

Over the course of a year, Satoshi Manor became itself and in some very real sense, I also became myself. This is my home. It will always be my home. It’s funny, until this became true, I always harbored a fantasy about getting enough money to buy my childhood homes - flawed though they were. The home that my parents divorced in and the home that I discovered my love for land and water. That desire has now been laid to rest.

My adult home is everything those homes were and more - plus it is a happy place. There has been so much joy here already - just in a year. The friends I’ve hosted - both old friends and new - giving my daughter the chance to finally discover her home. The playing in the garden, tinkering, creating art, writing books, and maybe even finding love - all of these things. These are what a home is for, what it should be.

I’m so imprinted on this home and it is so imprinted on me. Challenges still await. I’m not Japanese so I can’t live here full time. The Japanese visa system is still a huge issue but I will be working on creating a decentralized existence with this as my anchor, my home base. Even if it reaches the point where I can only spend three months a year here, it won’t matter. I will make it work and knowing it is here is all that matters as I travel the globe. Home is where you hang your hat. My hat is hung. Home is where the heart is, my heart is here. Home is where you have roots, my roots are planted. Home.

It was all I was ever seeking. I wasn’t a vagabond because I didn’t want to settle, I was a vagabond because I needed to settle and find my place. Now that I’ve found it, I don’t have to stop and things are so incredibly different already. My father is gone. The lingering hope that he would somehow fulfill his promises and rescue me from being homeless dies with him. And, funny enough, now I am not homeless. I will never be homeless again. Itinerant - sure. Nomadic - definitely. But not homeless.

YOU NEED TO SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEW CHANNEL TO SEE WHAT COMES NEXT

This will be the last post here. You need to go subscribe to my adventures at https://indignified.substack.com . It’s free but if you want to support all the work I’ve done and will continue to do become a premium subscriber. $8 a month is less than having one nice coffee in a thirty day period.

I look forward to sharing more with you.

~CD (who is no longer vago)

I'm seeking 25 independence-minded people who are DONE pretending that trading 40+ years of life for a retirement that might never come is "responsible."

Sunday scaries are a symptom of a life you don't want to live.

After 20+ years of complete employment independence (no boss, no commute, no corporate BS), I'm launching a 30-day intensive course called "The Indignified Life."

Normally $1,497 - completely FREE for the first 25 beta testers.

This isn't "follow your passion" fantasy or lifestyle design theory. It's systematic preparation for people who understand that:

• Working until 67 hoping your pension survives isn't actually a plan

• Begging for vacation days with your own time is insane

• Finishing your work in 3 hours but staying 8 is theater

• "Job security" is an oxymoron when layoffs happen quarterly

You'll learn practical skills: → Multiple income stream development outside traditional employment → International banking and financial independence systems → Exit strategies that actually work without destroying your life → Crisis-proof systems that get stronger during uncertainty

Perfect for: Mid-career professionals questioning if this is "it," anyone who gets Sunday scaries thinking about Monday, people tired of corporate theater.

Not for: People already living nomadically, get-rich-quick seekers, or those who think their company actually cares about them.

Applications close July 31st or when we find the right 25 people.

Ready to stop participating in your own exploitation?

Apply at https://www.indignified.com/course1.html

📉 I know that I’ve told you all that I’ve permanently moved all new content to https://indignified.substack.com - and that is true, but this is an exception. The reason is that this post sort of wraps up my crypto/NFT journey as it was shared here on the Vagobond Substack and through Vagobond Magazine. There will be one additional post here - a video wrap-up of my year in Satoshi Manor, the house I bought in Japan with money made from buying and selling Bitcoin. That will close out the Vagobond section of my life. Thank you for reading. If you are a subscriber, please make sure to go subscribe to

https://indignified.substack.com

~CD

So it looks like Pixel Vault is finally wrapping up what may be the longest, slowest rug in NFT history.

For those who weren’t there, this was a project that had everything going for it—momentum, talent, a loyal community, media partnerships. But it turns out, those things aren’t enough without leadership, transparency, and loyalty in return.

The Pixel Vault implosion feels like an emblem of the broader NFT story. Looking through my Discord list feels a lot like opening up my MetaMask or checking OpenSea: a graveyard of what once was, full of potential and nostalgia, now mostly dust.

My Bags (2025 Edition)

These days, my crypto bags are fairly light—less than half a BTC in total, all in. That’s a wild contrast to the peak mania years when my portfolio soared with the insane valuations of NFT summer.

Here’s where I stand now:

• 30% BTC

• 10% ETH / SOL / AVAX

• 5% LTC / USDC

• The rest? A scatter of tokens and NFTs: MAYC, Meebit, Mfer, Cool Cat, Rektguy… and a handful of coins: IP, REKT, PENGU, ATOM, L1.

Many of the NFTs I own are now impossible to sell. Many of the tokens are worth pennies. But like most true believers, I still hold them. Maybe out of hope. Maybe because selling them would make the loss too real. It’s like having tulip bulbs after the bubble burst—except these bulbs lived on the blockchain and once paid my rent.

8 Crypto & NFT Rules I Learned (The Hard Way)

Here’s the distilled wisdom from a half-decade in the trenches:

1. Expect to lose what you invest – and don’t invest more than you can stomach losing.

2. Get in early and free if possible. When prices spike? Sell. Most projects never hit those highs again.

3. Buy back in after the crash—but only if you really believe.

4. Take profits regularly. Always. Small wins are better than paper gains.

5. If you hit “life-changing money,” walk away. Sell. Don’t look back.

6. Don’t take advice from someone you wouldn’t trust with $20.

7. Don’t fall for hype. “Ex-Disney,” “Pixar animator,” “Marvel exec”—these names are easy to slap on pitch decks.

8. It really is about the people. The ‘friends we made along the way’ cliché? Turns out it’s real.

Pixel Vault, Lamina1, and the Cycle of Belief

Pixel Vault wasn’t just another project to me. I believed in it—deeply. It had real promise. I held even as it bled out slowly over years. I convinced myself it would bounce back.

It didn’t.

Same story seems to have played out with Doctor Who: Worlds Apart and might be unfolding with Lamina1. It’s too early to say for certain but the telltales seem to be there.Thankfully, my exposure there was limited—about $1,500 total. I cashed out $500 when I could, so I’m down ~$1,000. Do I still believe it could come back? Yeah, a little. Hope springs eternal.

But belief without action is how I lost more than a BTC in opportunity by not rotating into Bitcoin when I had the chance.

Was It Worth It?

Yes. 100%.

Despite the bags full of illiquid JPEGs and vapor tokens, blockchain changed my life.

It paid for a home in Japan, funded my travels around the world, helped cover living expenses for years. I took real money off the table. I got to see the world. I met lifelong friends—many of whom came from projects like:

• Doctor Who: Worlds Apart

• Pixel Vault

• PageDAO

• Lamina1

• Rektguy

• OnChainMonkey

So yeah, it hurts to look at the wreckage. But I’m not bitter. I’m just wiser.

The Final Lesson

In 2017, I bought at the top. In 2020, the $30k I had borrowed was worth $3k. I didn’t sell. I stuck around. I bought bits and pieces when I could. I almost traded it all for a junked sailboat.

But I didn’t.

Then came DeFi Summer, NFT Mania, and BTC’s return to glory. That original bag would be worth half a million dollars today.

So while I’ve swept most of the table clean… I’m not leaving.

I'm still here. Watching. Learning. Waiting.

👉 Thanks for reading. If you found this useful, share it with someone who still believes. Or someone who needs to be reminded it's okay to lose—so long as you learn.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Indignified

INDIGNIFIED: No borders. No bosses. No apologies.

Sabotage the status quo. Build what’s next. Fiction and fury for post-capitalist exiles. By CD Familias, author of the Indignified Manifesto. Writing from the ruins of capitalism in Otaru, Japan.

By CD | INDIGNIFIED

Just a reminder. If you are interested in any of my content other than the Satoshi Manor chapters then you need to go subscribe to https://indignified.substack.com (there will probably be three more Satoshi Manor chapters here - June, July, and wrap-up)

Also - IMPORTANT - if you are a paid subscriber here - THANK YOU!!! There is no longer any reason to be a paid subscriber here though. All content here moving forward will be free content and there will only be a few more chapters before everything I do is moved to Indignified. So, please don’t waste your money. I mean, if you want to keep paying me monthly, go right ahead, but my suggestion is that you pay where you will get exclusive content i.e. 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

INDIGNIFIED: No borders. No bosses. No apologies.

Sabotage the status quo. Build what’s next. Fiction and fury for post-capitalist exiles. By CD Familias, author of the Indignified Manifesto. Writing from the ruins of capitalism in Otaru, Japan.

By CD | INDIGNIFIED

After more than two decades of writing, creating, and wandering under the name Vagobond, the time has come to lay this identity to rest. This isn’t a disappearance—it’s a strategic retreat, a rebrand, and a fresh start. This will be the last post I create on this substack (with one caveat - see below **). Moving forward, I will embrace being Indignified on substack. Please follow me there.

.

Why Sunset Vagobond?

• Google Thinks It Knows Better – For years, search engines have "helpfully" corrected Vagobond to Vagabond, burying my work under a mountain of backpacker blogs and dictionary definitions. The misspelling was intentional—unfortunately it became a liability. I tried to fight around that, but the algorithms have won this battle. I live to fight another battle, another day.

• A Digital Ghost Ship – Two decades, multiple servers, shifting purposes—what was once a deeply personal brand became an SEO nightmare. The archives are scattered, the indexing is cursed, and discovery is a game of digital archaeology.

• The Other Algorithm Problem – Early on, Vagobond was a travel blog but at various points, I tried to turn it into other things. A tourist guide to Hawaii, a site for my fiction, a blockchain magazine - those are just off the top of my head. There are deep systemic structural problems with the way content gets seen on the internet. I can’t fix those problems. Vagobond suffers from most of them.

• Evolution, Not Abandonment – Vagobond was an important quarter century of my life, a persona, an experiment in identity, multiple experiments in community. It served its purpose. Now, it’s time for something different. I have evolved and the Vagobond brand no longer fits me like it once did. I still love, respect, and honor that period of my life, those adventures, and all the work done there.

Honoring the Legacy

Let’s be clear: Vagobond wasn’t a failure. It was a laboratory. The magazine, the website, the years of living and writing under the name Vago—they were all part of the process. But every experiment reaches its conclusion. Time demands it. The archives at Vagobond.com and on this substack will remain. I have no intention of deleting them.

What’s Next?

• Indignified.com – A clean slate. No misspellings, no algorithmic confusion—just writing, art, and ideas without the baggage.

• CD Familias – In creative spaces, this is the name I’ll use (unless legal paperwork gets involved). It’s a nod to roots, a reclaiming of identity, and a middle finger to SEO hell.

• The Indignified Substack – Same voice, same chaos, better infrastructure. Subscribe here:Indignified Substack.

Join Me at Indignified

If you’ve ever looked at a Vagobond piece and thought, "This guy should really sort out his branding,"congratulations—I’ve finally listened. Let’s make this transition together.

With gratitude & indignity,
CD Familias

P.S. The Vagobond archives will remain online, but new work lives at Indignified.com. No more autocorrect battles. No more explaining the spelling. Just writing.

**the caveat: I committed to sharing a full year of my life at Satoshi Manor. We have traversed most of that year with 15 video chapters. I will create two to three more videos and share them here for Satoshi Manor. These will be the final posts on this substack by me.

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Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/rockot-1947599/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=315904">Rockot</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=315904">Pixabay</a>

Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/kulakovka-47183261/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=270241">Alehandro Vodnik</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=270241">Pixabay</a>

Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/sergepavkinmusic-6130722/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=166385">Sergii Pavkin</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=166385">Pixabay</a>

Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/zen_man-4257870/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=9867">Zen_Man</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=9867">Pixabay</a>

Dear Readers, Writers, and Visionaries,

At Whitney Morgan Media, we believe in pushing the boundaries of storytelling, exploring new creative frontiers, and uplifting authors in groundbreaking ways. That’s why we are thrilled, honored, and immensely proud to be part of the FUTURE WORLD 2323 anthology—a collaboration unlike anything we’ve done before!

This isn’t just another book. It’s a rare and powerful partnership between three innovative publishers—Whitney Morgan Media, Mythic North Press & Vagobond Media—each bringing their unique vision and expertise to a single project that dares to imagine the world three centuries from now: a thrilling 100,000-word science-fantasy collection that explores strange tech, magic, romance, and epic stakes.

Table of Contents

• 🌟 Why This Collaboration is So Important

  • 🔗 Back this Project on Kickstarter

• ✨ Story Showcase

  • What is Future World 2323?

• 🔥 Author Showcase

🌟 Why This Collaboration is So Important

In an industry where competition often takes precedence, this project is a celebration of collaboration over competition, proving that when creative minds join forces, magic happens. Whitney Morgan Media is delighted to stand alongside Mythic North Press and Vagobond Media, working together to:

✅ Uplift and Support Authors – By uniting our platforms, resources, and expertise, we can amplify the voices of incredible writers and bring their work to new audiences. Each publisher has a distinct approach to storytelling and world-building, which makes this anthology a vibrant collection of diverse, genre-bending perspectives on the future.

✅ Experiment and Innovate – FUTURE WORLD 2323 is a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of publishing. With three publishing minds at the helm, we’re exploring what’s possible when publishing meets imagination without limits.

✅ Deliver an Unforgettable Experience to Readers – This anthology isn’t just about speculative fiction; it’s about challenging the way we see the future, blending elements of science fiction, fantasy, dystopia, and magic. It’s an immersive journey into a world reshaped by time, war, and wonder—brought to life by some of today’s most visionary authors.We are honored to celebrate the powerful partnership of these exceptional publishing houses and to bring together the amazing storytellers in this anthology.

🔗 Back this Project on Kickstarter

FUTURE WORLD 2323 is crowdfunding now on Kickstarter, and it has already met its funding goal!! There are a few days left if you too want to back this project. If you do, you’ll be so thrilled with all the reward tiers and add-ons, such as a limited-edition hardback version! By backing this anthology, you’re not just getting an incredible book—you’re supporting our authors, groundbreaking storytelling, and the next evolution of speculative fiction.

✨ Story Showcase

What is Future World 2323?

Set in a distant era of Earth transformed by political turmoil, geological catastrophes, and the remnants of nuclear war, FUTURE WORLD 2323 is a collection of interwoven tales that imagine what comes next. Advanced technology, extraterrestrial encounters, and ancient magic converge in this genre-blending masterpiece of sci-fi, fantasy, and dystopian fiction.

"The Texican Blizzard of 2323," by C. D. Damitio. When he's caught in a rare and unseasonable Texas blizzard, Charles Actor finds himself not in the modern-day United States. He has been vaulted three-hundred-years into the future where Yetis, a beautiful android, and a tyrannical immortal cyborg aren’t the strangest things he finds.

"Shifa," by Ameera Rashid. Omar, a pharmaceutical scientist, takes a routine assignment in the Semi-Mutual Arab Nations (in the vicinity of what once was the United Arab Emirates) and is thrown into a world of spy craft, intrigue, and international crisis as superpowers compete to control a world-changing discovery. Nothing is as it seems in Shifa.

"The Texican Famine That Didn't Happen," by T. Dylan Daniel. Charlene’s world is upset by the loss of her mother, but she has talent. Will she rise above her vulnerability and find her place in a high-tech society, or will her abilities be used against her in an attack on her civilization?

"This Isn't Heaven," by Rionna Morgan. Magic has always been real, and those who wield it managed to save Ireland from the cataclysms of the twenty-first century. However, even witches have their weaknesses, and the tenderness of the heart might make a perfect target. Will Ireland fall because of love?

"Regicide," by E. R. Donaldson. After the nuclear fallout of the 21st century cataclysm, the Great Lakes Region of what used to be the United States is now the Wolverine Isles - a corporate-controlled utopia which produces the most cutting-edge technology in the western hemisphere. This independent state is ruled by the immortal cybernetic CEO of Spartan Aquatics, the Witch Queen of the Wolverine Isles, and now the RSA has decided it's time to be rid of her.

"The Midnight Warrior of Ikshavarka," by Aparna Merchant (Quanta). The Ikshavakra tribe have always existed in the realm between time and space. In the conflicts of Earth in 2323, they are forced to reveal themselves to save their fragile human neighbors. Now that that they can no longer hide, will they find allies or only enemies?

"The Bear and Salmon Republic," by C. D. Damitio. Charles Actor and his companions head into the great unknown of the Bear and Salmon Republic. The BSR - sandwiched between the dangerous Republican States of America, the Texican Nation, and the Pacific Mutual Nations - seek answers and a safe harbor but what they find is nothing but trouble. Meanwhile, Charles continues to seek his place in this strange future and is forced to confront questions he'd never thought to contemplate: what are the limits of love, and can flesh and machine share true affection?

🔥 Author Showcase

C.D. Damitio

C. D. Damitio is an author, adventurer, and storyteller currently residing in Otaru, Japan. Hailing from California and Hawaii, Damitio’s work draws inspiration from his global experiences, blending humor, insight, and curiosity. His books, including The Keys to the Riad and many others, are available on Amazon. He regularly posts his thoughts and writings at Vagobond.com and to subscribers at vagobond.substack.com. Active on social media and YouTube, he shares insights into his philosophy, travels , thoughts on the future, and creative projects.

Rionna Morgan

Rionna Morgan is an internationally published, best-selling mystery suspense novelist. She is Editor in Chief of Vagobond Magazine and is the author and creator of The 7 Love Stories. Her passion for the written word and the voices of those who write is powerful. She is a leading creator, speaker, and educator. Rionna has been a presenter at NFTNYC, The Academic Web3 Conference, and has been featured on Fortune.com. She is always creating something new.

E.R. Donaldson

E. R. Donaldson began writing in earnest in 2017. He published his first novel, Star Spire, in December 2020 through Mythic North Press LLC. In 2022 he edited and published the anthology Mythic Winter with the goal of creating a paid venue for lesser-known authors. Since then, Donaldson has published a number of short works and serials on blockchain and other experimental digital mediums. His upcoming novel, To Seize the Stars, was shortlisted as a finalist for renown editor Tang Feng’s SciFidea Dyson Sphere writing competition. When he’s not writing, Donaldson spends his time with his wife and three children at their home in central Michigan.

Ameera Rashid

Ameera Rashid, born and raised in the city of Lucknow, is currently pursuing her master’s degree in English Literature. A lifelong passion for reading sparked her fascination with storytelling from an early age. During the Covid lockdown, she finally found the opportunity to pick up the pen. What began as a distraction during challenging times soon became much more than a hobby. Over time, she honed her craft by participating in and winning multiple international writing contests. Her science fiction story, “Stranded,” has been published in the Mythic Winter, available on from Mythic North Press.

T. Dylan Daniel

T. Dylan Daniel is an author, philosopher, and scientist in Lubbock, Texas. A lifelong learner, Daniel has attended six different institutions of higher learning and has taught philosophy at two of them. Daniel is currently studying for his Ph.D in Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience at Texas Tech University. His books include Formal Dialectics (2018) and INEVITABLE: Distributed Cognition & Network Superintelligence (2024). To browse books, follow technology projects, get insight into contemporary research and more, head to epicdylan.com.

Aparna Merchant (Quanta)

Aparna Merchant (Quanta) is a bespoke fashion creator, fashion writer, and storyteller. The two disparate disciplines, for her, draw on each other - 'every piece of fashion ever authentically crafted must carry a story within it'. Her story and other creative writings are influenced by human life, and lean towards a metaphorical narration. Some of her short fictional works and verse can be read on t2.world. She has published NFT storytelling projects: S.Q.U.A.D. , Skullies, and Pixels For Christmas, on objkt.com. Seeking solutions for her own industry experience, she reports on the use of technology for a responsible fashion industry in her newsletter, Dress Me Digital, on substack.com. When not designing or writing, Merchant slow travels in search of her human existence.

🔥 Are you ready to step into the future? FUTURE WORLD 2323 is coming—and it’s unlike anything you’ve read before. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the journey! Visit the project on Kickstarter today!

Let's start with the Anarchist Manifesto Project or The AMP. I wrote a couple of the essays, mostly it was just an attempt on my part to understand exactly what people meant when they said they were 'anarchists'. My conclusion was that ultimately - it just meant that they didn't like the way things were and thought things could be better. As for myself, I came away from the project with a better understanding of what anarchism really is - for me and for others. I found myself resonating deeply with the cooperativism of the Mondragon Collective in the Basque country of Spain. I also recognized that there was a fundamentally anarchist energy to such spiritual practices as Taoism and Sufism - where the individual was put in charge of their connection to the greater power and the middle men of religion were disempowered. And that, was my revelation about anarchism on any level - it's about getting rid of the middle men, the representatives, the delegates. The governed become the governors and the governors only govern themselves. On a certain level, this works, but time has taught me that when you pass a certain threshold even those who are willing to govern themselves cannot do so as a collective. The optimal size is probably no more than fifteen people - after that, they simply can't cooperate because self-interest and egos become involved - so then it is essential to delegate responsibility for community governance to a representative who can then band together with other representatives to form another body which will do the same thing upon reaching scale (15). The key, as Acalan and Bookchin detailed in Municipalism and Democratic Confederalism is to have the delegates be immediately recallable and to never allow power the opportunity to protect itself or entrench itself. So, no single executives or administrators that can make decisions without oversight. Fifteen groups of fifteen represented by fifteen instead of by two-hundred and twenty-five.

Another insight from the collected manifestos was that power is really represented by both economic power and electric power. Political==Economic==Generated.

At the conclusion, I was disavowed of the idea that you could be an Anarcho-Capitalist because capitalism is, in itself - both predatory and exploitive and works on exploiting power dynamics. Libertarian in terms of free markets - truly free markets without manipulation or protectionism or cronyism - yes. And you can't be an Anarcho-Communist because communism is about the individual not being worthy of governing themselves. Socialist - however in using collective power to achieve collective benefit - yes. It's funny, at the end of this journey, I thought I was really breaking new ground by calling myself a libertarian socialist - but upon looking the term up- I discovered that it was the self-description of those who were truly the most anarchist of them all.

The International Workers of the World (IWW), Bakunin, Thomas Paine, William Morris, and Charles Fourier are key figures. In a sense, it was Libertarian Socialism that energized the American and French Revolutions and which brought about the most admirable parts of modern 20th century American society.

The concepts of grassroots democracy, workers' control, solidarity and autonomy were all a part of this along with the principles of decentralisation, participatory democracy and mutual aid. Every generation likes to pretend it is the first to discover these things - but they are old and just like my mistaken belief that I had coined the term libertarian socialist, it is a mistake to claim these are anything other than ancient and worthy concepts that should be strived for.

I've put together a sort of bibliography of most of my books so far. So there really isn't a huge need for me to do that again here, but the political aspects of The AMP are important enough to have revisited. My views haven't really changed, just become more nuanced. In fact, my novel

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Notes from Nowhere was a modern adaptation of William Morris' scifi novel News from Nowhere but written more than two decades after The AMP.

I would like to clarify something here. I've never felt like I'm the best writer in the world or even one of the best writers. I write well, I have a strong voice that is relatable and easy to follow. I'm good at taking ideas and presenting them in a way that makes sense through storytelling - whether it is telling my own stories and adventures or telling stories that illustrate things that are important to me. That's where I feel that my writing has some importance - and also I'm good at creation from nothing. Bringing things and places and characters to life. This is part of the reason why collaborative creation is so important to me. I'd love for writers more talented than me in verse or turns of phrase or narrative - to develop these worlds. Why? Because I firmly believe that writing and literature and storytelling - in particular imagined worlds that come to life are the ideal place for us to not only identify but to solve the problems that beset our world, our species, our existence.

Musings on why I am here and what it means to be alone versus being anxious…

I've mentioned before some of what I'm doing with Lamsters and the Lamsterverse. It's kind of become a very fun part of my life and of course, I've integrated Baoism into it - because why wouldn't I include a fun philosophy and open spiritual framework that doesn't impinge on anyone's current belief system into a world that includes cuddly cute lamb+hamster hybrid creatures, bald fleshearers, demon wolves, angel dogs, and anime demi-gods?

You can get more involved or learn more through a little PDF zine I put together which is available to own as an NFT on the Polygon blockchain via OpenSea.

You don’t have to buy it though. Here is the link to the PDF version: The Path of a Baoist in the Lamsterverse

I’ve largely stopped using Facebook and Instagram at this point. Using billionaire media is a vote of approval as much as voting in elections that have no chance of the best candidates ever getting a fair chance to govern. I’m on both those platforms mainly as a way to communicate with the people I know who are on them and unlikely to leave. I’ll likely share this video to Facebook - but that’s about as much as I’ll do there.

Music used in the video was either recorded live or downloaded from Pixabay’s Royalty Free Music library. Please support the following creators who shared their work there.

Music by Amy from Pixabay

Music by Dr. MEK from Pixabay

Music by Bittu Singh from Pixabay

Music by 9JackJack8 from Pixabay

Music by OB-LIX from Pixabay

In the first episode of the year, Rionna is joined by special guests OddWritings, a seasoned Web3 poet, and Grace Lovart, a talented illustrator and author, to kick off 2025 with inspiration for writers.

This episode covers:

• Why writing goals matter and how they shape your creative journey.

• Practical tips for balancing long-term aspirations with achievable short-term objectives.

• Tools and strategies, from journaling to goal-setting apps, to help keep you on track.

• Unique approaches to finding inspiration and staying motivated.

With heartfelt anecdotes and practical advice, the discussion weaves through the challenges and joys of writing life, emphasizing the importance of balancing passion with self-care. Whether you’re looking to draft your first book or explore new creative avenues, this episode offers something for writers at every stage of their journey.

Don’t miss this chance to connect with the Web3 Writers community and set yourself up for a successful year of creativity and growth! Take a moment and share your 2025 Writing Goals!

The path before us is clear. We cannot wait for salvation from above; we must build it from below. This manifesto is not an end but a beginning—a call to rise, to resist, and to reclaim our lives.

We envision a world where community triumphs over competition, where equity replaces exploitation, and where harmony with the earth is not a dream but a daily practice. Imagine villages and cities reborn, their economies rooted in local needs and shared resources. Picture governance that listens, empowers, and includes every voice. See a landscape transformed—not by extraction, but by restoration.

This is no utopia. It is a revolution of values, and it begins with us. From history’s struggles, we know the impossible has been achieved before. The movements that broke chains, toppled tyrannies, and rebuilt societies did not wait for permission—they acted. Now it is our turn.

Why We Must Act Now
The crises we face—climate collapse, social inequality, and economic instability—demand immediate and bold action. The current system is built on exploitation, extraction, and exclusion. It cannot sustain us. But a new way is within our grasp. The Mountain Manifesto provides not just hope but a roadmap. It lays out principles for fairness, sustainability, and shared prosperity. It challenges us to replace competition with cooperation and greed with generosity.

We cannot afford complacency. Every day wasted deepens inequality, widens environmental destruction, and entrenches injustice. The Mountain Manifesto is the call to reverse this course—not with empty promises but with tangible actions rooted in collective power.

The Plan for Transformation

1. Build Local Resilience: Strengthen localized economies that value sustainability and reduce dependency on destructive global systems.

2. Redefine Leadership: Implement participatory governance that ensures every voice matters and decision-making is shared.

3. Heal the Earth: Restore ecosystems, embrace regenerative practices, and commit to a future where humanity and nature thrive together.

4. Embrace Solidarity: Forge alliances that transcend borders, uniting communities in pursuit of justice and equity.

Together, We Are Unstoppable
We must take up the tools of change: cooperation, solidarity, and defiance against systems that exploit. We must build cooperatives, defend the rights of the earth, and reimagine what it means to live well—not at the expense of others, but alongside them.

The mountain is not a place to hide. It is a vantage point from which we see the world as it is and as it could be. It is a call to action and a sanctuary for renewal.

We are not alone. We are many, and together we are unstoppable. The summit awaits. Let us climb.

The Mountain Manifesto

Introduction: Everything is Not Fine

Why Non-Violence Matters

Discourse on the World’s Power Structure

The Crisis of the Individual in a Broken System

Escaping Tribalism and Extreme Ideology

The Harbingers of Dystopia: Inheritance & Corporations

The Historical Context of Resistance

The Technology Trap

An Economic Escape Plan

Steps Towards the Mountain

Tools of Resistance

Conclusion: A New Vision for Civilization

Weapons of the Mind and Hands: The Architecture of Defiance

Resistance demands more than passion—it demands precision, discipline, and strategy. Against the machinery of domination, we wield tools forged in solidarity and sharpened by purpose. We are not rabble; we are architects of disruption, builders of resilience, and engineers of freedom. This is not rebellion for its own sake—it is rebellion to reclaim what has been stolen.

Affinity Groups and Cell Structures: Building the Unbreakable Web

The old world crumbles, but its sentries stand vigilant. Our response must be decentralized and adaptive. Affinity groups—small, autonomous cells bound by trust—become the veins and arteries of a living resistance. These groups operate in shadows, coordinated yet independent, impervious to infiltration.

• Flexibility: Cells can pivot in an instant, striking where the system is weakest and disappearing before it retaliates.

• Secrecy: Shared purpose and encrypted communication insulate groups from surveillance, ensuring the movement survives even when attacked.

• Impact: Coordinated strikes—protests, boycotts, and economic sabotage—deliver blows that cannot be traced to a single source, keeping the system off-balance.

Mutual Aid Networks: The Backbone of Survival

We will not survive alone. Mutual aid networks transform isolated rebels into a unified force. Food, medicine, shelter, and knowledge flow freely within these networks, sustaining bodies and spirits through hardship.

• Solidarity over Charity: We do not give handouts—we lift each other.

• Skill-Sharing: Workshops in permaculture, first aid, and defense ensure no one is left unprepared.

• Resilience: In times of collapse, these networks become lifelines, proving that we do not need their systems to survive.

Culture Jamming: Sabotaging the Mind Prison

The enemy’s greatest weapon is the lie—the illusion of consent and the mirage of inevitability. We shatter their mirrors and scatter their smoke.

• Media Hijacking: Posters, memes, and graffiti infiltrate their pristine narratives with seeds of doubt and rebellion.

• Technological Subversion: Decentralized networks amplify the truth, bypassing the algorithmic chains of corporate platforms.

• Disinformation as Disruption: Misinformation, like static on a wire, forces the system to expend resources containing chaos, eroding its control.

We poison their well of propaganda and force the people to question what they see, what they hear, and what they are told.

Breaking the Chains: Radical Tactics for Desperate Times

The masters of this system have no shame, and we cannot afford to be naïve. Where non-violence ends, disruption begins. Radical action becomes necessary when survival is at stake.

• Sabotage: Infrastructure grinds to a halt when its gears are jammed. Supply chains falter when their links are severed.

• Bureaucratic Floods: Bureaucracies drown when buried in forms and demands, their mechanisms stalled by their own inefficiency.

• Economic Resistance: Tax resistance and strikes siphon power from their coffers, bleeding the beast dry.

The Underground Railroad: Sheltering the Persecuted

For those hunted by the system, escape routes must be built. Safe houses, encrypted communications, and clandestine transportation routes become arteries of survival. The mountain is not just a metaphor—it is a destination, and the roads must be paved in secrecy and courage.

• Encryption: Privacy tools cloak identities and actions, shielding rebels from prying eyes.

• Sanctuary Networks: Shelters provide food, medical care, and rest for those on the run.

• False Trails: Decoys and misinformation mislead pursuers, buying time for true escapes.

A Warning and a Promise

We do not advocate violence against people, but we refuse to sanctify the machinery of oppression. The cost of obedience is annihilation; the cost of resistance is freedom. The old world will fight to hold its chains in place, but we will tear them down link by link, strike by strike.

History is not written by the watchers—it is written by the movers, the builders, and the rebels. Let every broken lock, every uprooted fence, and every breached firewall stand as testimony: we are coming. The mountain calls, and we will rise.

Stand Ready. Strike Hard. Build Relentlessly. The Summit Awaits.

The time for hesitation is over. The world burns while sham saviors whisper lies of comfort. The machine devours and demands more—more obedience, more labor, more sacrifice. But we are not powerless. We will rise. We will step off the treadmill of servitude and ascend to freedom. The mountain calls, and the path is clear.

Short-Term Actions: The First Steps Toward Liberation

Digital Detox: Break the Chains of Surveillance
Every screen is a window into your soul—a tool of control wielded by corporations and governments. Shut it off. Reclaim your mind. Begin with deliberate disconnection: limit exposure, cut ties with manipulative platforms, and demand encryption as a standard, not a luxury. Each moment spent free of the algorithm’s grip strengthens your autonomy.

Conscious Consumption: Starve the Beast
Your dollars are bullets in an economic war. Stop arming the enemy. Boycott corporations that thrive on sweatshops, environmental destruction, and greed. Support farmers' markets, worker-owned co-ops, and ethical producers. Every purchase becomes an act of rebellion. Choose wisely—every coin you withhold is a blow to the machine.

Local Engagement: Rekindle the Bonds of Brotherhood
Alienation is their weapon. Community is our shield. Attend farmers' markets, neighborhood events, and cultural gatherings. Trade goods and services with neighbors, not faceless corporations. When we know each other’s names, we stand united, and united, we are unbreakable.

Mid-Term Actions: Strengthen the Foundations of Resistance

Organize Locally: Form Networks of Mutual Aid
History is clear—when the system collapses, only community endures. Build mutual aid groups modeled after grassroots responses to crises like the pandemic. Share food, tools, and shelter. When disaster strikes, it will be your neighbor, not the state, who stands beside you.

Skill-Sharing Workshops: Arm Yourself with Knowledge
Power flows to those who do not need the system. Learn survival skills—gardening, carpentry, medicine. Teach what you know and learn what you don’t. Hold classes in parks, homes, and libraries. Each skill passed on is another brick in the fortress of self-reliance.

Community Assemblies: Reclaim Democracy from the Ground Up
True power belongs to the people—not to corporate boards or distant politicians. Host gatherings where all voices are heard. Make decisions collectively. Replace apathy with action and bureaucracy with purpose. Local governance will light the path forward.

Long-Term Vision: Build the Future Worth Fighting For

Build Resilient Communities: Strongholds of Freedom
The future is local, or it is not a future at all. Create eco-villages, cooperative housing, and intentional communities that break dependence on exploitative systems. Use models like the Transition Network to develop sustainable towns where democracy thrives, resources are shared, and the land is honored. Every seed planted is a declaration of independence.

Reclaim Democratic Institutions: Tear Down Corporate Thrones
We cannot simply retreat; we must fight back. Flood the system with reform. Follow leaders who answer to the people, not the profit margins. Demand laws that defend workers, dismantle monopolies, and punish environmental crimes. Democracy can be reclaimed if the people seize it with both hands.

Educational Reform: Arm Minds Against Manipulation
Control begins in the classroom. Break the cycle of indoctrination. Demand education that teaches critical thinking, ecological responsibility, and cooperation—not obedience and consumption. Support critical thinking, alternative schools, and free libraries. Knowledge is the enemy of tyranny.

Impact: The Path Forward Is Clear

This is not fantasy. This is strategy. Every action is a strike against the chains that bind us. From the smallest boycott to the largest eco-village, we build the world we want brick by brick, seed by seed, voice by voice. This is the work of generations, but it begins now—with you.

Will you answer the call? Will you climb the mountain? The summit awaits, but the first step is yours to take. Rise.

"The time for hesitation is over. The walls of this system were built to trap you, but we are here to tear them down brick by brick. Freedom is not a dream; it is a plan waiting to be executed."

The great machine of exploitation wants you to believe that escape is impossible. It whispers in your ear that survival depends on obedience, that the chains on your wrists are all that hold chaos at bay. This is the lie that keeps the factories humming and the markets churning. But we reject this lie. We know that stepping away from the system is not surrender—it is strategy. It is the first blow struck in a war for freedom.

The road to liberation does not lead to isolation. It leads to construction—to the building of a new world atop the ruins of the old. Already, the blueprint exists. Already, the seeds of revolution have been sown. The question is no longer "Can it be done?" The question is "How soon will you begin?"

Local Self-Sufficiency: Seizing Control of Survival

We start by feeding ourselves, because hunger is the system’s oldest weapon. Food co-ops and community gardens are more than survival tools—they are acts of defiance. They starve the corporate overlords while nourishing our people. Every seed planted is a bullet fired into the heart of exploitation.

Energy independence is next. Microgrids and renewable energy systems sever the chains that bind us to utility monopolies. Solar panels become shields. Wind turbines become swords. Together, they power our revolution and light the path out of darkness.

Land trusts complete the foundation. By reclaiming the earth beneath our feet, we end the reign of landlords and speculators. We transform property into a shared inheritance, a weaponized fortress against eviction and exploitation.

Cooperative Economies: Toppling the Pyramids of Greed

The empire runs on hierarchy—pyramids of power where the labor of many props up the wealth of the few. We will flatten these pyramids. Cooperatives will replace corporations. Workers will own their labor. Decentralized markets will replace monopolistic cartels. Wealth will circulate instead of accumulating in vaults guarded by the elite.

Exploitation will wither when profits serve the people, not shareholders. We will dismantle the throne rooms and boardrooms and build councils and commons. Democracy will cease to be an illusion; it will become our economy.

Reclaiming Time: Breaking the Chains of Consumerism

The system steals your hours, turns them into wages, and sells them back to you as products you don’t need. But no more. We will reclaim time—time to learn, time to teach, time to build. We will turn consumption into creation.

Every dollar not spent on their distractions is a weapon kept out of their hands. Every hour spent planting, crafting, or repairing is another brick in the wall of our independence. Resilience begins the moment we stop feeding the machine.

Impact: A World of Builders, Not Buyers

To step away is not to retreat—it is to advance. We are not running; we are building. We are reclaiming what was stolen—our labor, our resources, our lives—and forging a new economy that values humanity over profit. This is not isolation. It is evolution.

Let the system crumble. Let its towers fall. We will rise from the rubble with dirt under our nails and sun on our backs, free and ungoverned. The economics of escape are not theory—they are reality. And that reality begins now.

The time is now. The tools are here. The path is clear. Break free. Build the future. The mountain awaits.

The Technology Trap: Tools of Liberation or Chains of Control?

Technology has always been a double-edged sword—capable of liberating human potential or tightening the grip of control. Today, the tools once celebrated for connecting us and democratizing information have become mechanisms of unprecedented exploitation and surveillance. The very platforms that promised to empower individuals now harvest our most personal information, shape our thoughts, and erode the freedoms they once championed.

Data Capitalism: The Harvest of the Human Mind

At the heart of this exploitation lies data capitalism, a system where personal data is the new currency. Every click, search, and interaction online is meticulously recorded, analyzed, and monetized. In 2022 alone, the global data market was valued at over $274 billion, much of it driven by companies using invasive practices to extract value from individuals without informed consent. Platforms such as Facebook (now Meta), Google, and TikTok mine users’ behaviors to sell hyper-targeted ads, influencing not just what people buy but how they think and vote.

The Cambridge Analytica scandal highlighted the dangers of this system. By leveraging personal data, the company was able to influence elections and sow division, underscoring how data capitalism weaponizes private information for profit and power. Users are not the customers of these platforms—they are the product.

Algorithmic Manipulation: The Invisible Hand of Control

Beyond data collection, algorithmic manipulation exerts a subtler yet equally insidious form of control. Algorithms prioritize engagement, often by promoting sensationalism, outrage, and division. Research from the Pew Research Center has shown how these dynamics polarize societies, creating echo chambers that reinforce biases and fuel extremism.

These algorithms also shape desires and behavior. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok feed users content designed to trigger dopamine hits, fostering dependency and reducing autonomy. Social media addiction is now recognized as a public health concern, with studies linking excessive use to increased rates of anxiety and depression, particularly among young people.

Paths to Liberation: Technology Reimagined

Yet, technology need not be a chain—it can still serve as a tool of liberation if we reclaim it. The rise of decentralized platforms, privacy tools, and open-source technologies offers glimpses of a different future. Platforms like Mastodon and Signal challenge the dominance of surveillance-driven giants by prioritizing user privacy and control. Blockchain technologies, while controversial, point to the potential for decentralized systems that are less reliant on exploitative intermediaries.

Open-source software like Linux and tools such as the Tor browser empower individuals to operate outside the confines of data capitalism, enabling privacy and autonomy. Grassroots digital movements, like the use of encrypted messaging during protests, show how technology can support collective action and resistance.

Call to Action

To navigate this technology trap, we must become conscious participants in the digital world, not passive subjects. By embracing privacy tools, supporting ethical tech initiatives, and demanding transparency from corporations, we can shift the balance of power. Technology can still be a force for good—but only if we reclaim it as a tool of liberation rather than a mechanism of control. The choice is ours to make.