Public Service Internet monthly newsletter (Sept 2026)

What happens when the entire economy is a scam, with a large mobile phone stairing down at its user
Via: https://yourbrainonmoney.substack.com/

We live in incredible times with such possibilities that is clear. Although its easily dismissed reading Zuckerburg’s deranged superintelligent AI future post, hearing about pagers leveraged for data breach and what could ever go wrong?

To quote Buckminster Fuller “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.“

You are seeing aspects of this with the EU finally embracing open source as part of sovereignty, Chicago public media launching a city wide social network with New public and will Meta’s settlement finally make the difference we need for traditional social media?

The reality of not believing what you see is here

Ian thinks: This interview with GetReal is honestly incredibly difficult and NSFW listen to. It certainly digs in to how the AI tools from the likes of Grok and Meta is have not only caused the deep-fake dilemma people have predicted for years. But also a crisis for those trying to report and stop them.

Disinformation and fear fuelled deaths

Ian thinks: On a similar point, Channel 4’s breakdown of what happened in the Ceuta migrant crisis, is a good solid watch. Watching it made super clear how disinformation is a real killer and how clearly thoughts about its weaponisation has long become a reality. Sadly its only going to get far worst.

The Surveillance as standard

Ian thinks: The EFF, are great for tools which help so many people understand the nuances of the digital surveillance state we find our selves in now. I would love to see tools like this become something which is shared with others organisations across the world.

Rethinking social software with Blane Cook

Ian thinks: I have a lot of time for Blane, I have come across he quite a lot and his thoughtful mind is perfect for this conversation. A little bit of what Twitter could have been but not the nostalgia nonsense I occasionally still here, but forks in the road where decisions could have made something much closer to what social looks like now.

One good thing going right

Ian thinks: This short TED talk is a reminder there is hope and there is a way forward, even when things are clearly not great.

Which end of the centaur are you?

Ian thinks: This interview on Jon Steward’s weekly show with Cory Doctorow is full of amazing insight about our lives with AI. I only started reading Doctorow’s Reverse Centaur’s Guide to Life After AI, but I won’t lie I budged it to the top my reading list after watching this. Even if you are fed up of hearing about AI, this is a must read.

Public media and social networks?

Ian thinks: The digital public space or the public service internet. Both have been tried but like always, its about the timing. Maybe New_Public have it right this time? As there are a lot of events in the states which could really need stronger local news and communities. One to keep an eye on.

IKEA marketspace a good move or centralisation?

Ian thinks: I respect the points about trusted place especially when looking at the awful nightmare of Facebook marketplace. IKEA seem to be doing a solid for buyers and sellers. However I wonder about the centralisation of this all. There is a number of power plays they could put into action but time will tell, how successful it will be and how much control they will unleash? Dare I say enshittification…?

Is someone you know part of the grift economy?

Ian thinks: Following the Louis Threoux documentary about the Manosphere, the notion of grifting became a lot more common to most the internet users. Grifting isn’t anything new but the ecosystem which has grown around it is something super charged by the physiological super weapons of Gen AI. As usual the companies and people selling the tools are also benefitting off griffters. Just like people selling shoves during the gold rush.

Hetrosexual dating is broken beyond repair?

Ian thinks: As someone writing a book and building a new type of system to make connections more meaningful; I have found a lot of discussion about how straight dating is broken beyond repair, including one from the same Vox channel. This interview summaries a lot of the thoughts I have about this space. Yes its slightly broken (always was) but its turned up to 11 and echoed by the internet/social algorithms. Its not good and its a clear example of the real human effects, adding to the loneliness epidemic; even in part.

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Its about the richness of the network bonds we all have

The Panel at Republica 2024 recreating the Neuralink press conference

I recently posted this on linkedin. It came from an email conversation with Alex DS and my experiences with applying for jobs recently.I’ll say it again, Alex is extremely smart and been a fantastic person to talk with about so many things, especially the rights and wrongs of the tech industry.

A month ago, I remembered something fundamental: my network matters far more than applications sent into the void of public job boards.
Thanks to Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino for the wise words again and the nudge!

I’m finally putting this into action…

I’m seeking roles inspired by four core strengths I bring to the table:

🔹 Declarative Development – xHTML, CSS, SVG, #XML, RDF, #Linked Data, Semantic Web. I’m a declarative coder at heart, specialising in this space. Data privacy and management are non-negotiable.
🔹 Project Leadership – Planning, leading, and nurturing projects from early development, through securing funding, all the way to public launch.
🔹 Real-World AI Advising – Beyond the hype! I combine academic rigour with hands-on experience running local, private #AI systems on regular open-source systems. I’m also a strong advisor on technology, design, and data-related projects.
🔹 Leading, Lecturing & Teaching – #UX research and future media development (object-based, adaptive and perceptive media). I’m passionate about shifting from #HCI (Human Computer Interaction) to an #HDI (Human Data Interaction) mindset, with a focus on alternative metrics grounded in human values, sustainability and good human incentives.

If you know of opportunities, teams, or conversations that align with any of these areas, or if you’d just like to connect and exchange ideas (especially around digital legacy, ethically connecting people or the digital public space), I’d love to hear from you.

Open to remote, hybrid, or in-person opportunities.
Feel free to comment or send me a DM. And if you think someone else should see this, I’d appreciate the re-share…

Its clear this post connected with quite a few people, and I have booked in talks with quite a few people…

My whole DJ set from EMFCamp is now live

Following on from the post where I decide to change my DJ name to cubicgarden. Here is the whole mix live from EMFCamp 2026. I am just transcoding it for Peertube but uploaded the full 8.6gig  cut to Youtube (very surprised its not been flagged…yet?)

Enjoy the incredible lasers and even fire balls! Heck the firestarter is back?

The null sector organisers are incredible and the audio isn’t straight from the desk, so you can sense how crystal clear the sound system was. Even some of the videos friends recorded, with a phone are pretty clear.

The whole set was done on the Pacemaker device, but I’ll certainly be using the Drift Zero if I’m back in 2 or 4 years time.

Beta testing the Drift Zero, how is it going?

 

Drift Zero on a table top
Drift Zero syncing while sitting in a coffee shop

The last few weeks, I have been beta testing the Drift DJ and its getting a lot more stable.

The hardest part I have found is my tunes are from all over, going from Rave stuff from the late 90’s to more recent stuff with decent metadata. Some of it is recorded at as low as 192k to 320k but some at a sampling rate of 32, 44 and 48khz. However the current and previous firmware’s have had  problems with different sampling rates.

It makes sense, especially with the complexity of the problem with DJ accurate pitching  explained by the creator in the video discussion.

This will get fixed but for now I spent a lot of time trying to work out what is a problem with my music collection and what is a bug.

I recently was working this out in a coffee shop over a pour over coffee and I had some interesting questions and comments about the Drift Zero. Its certainly eye catching and like my prototype one before, I had some really interesting comments from the public. Looking forward to a long train journey to Amsterdam again on the Eurostar in November or the long international flight to Canada in October.

I’m finally at a happy place where I can do a mix and be confident the tunes in the library will play and can be mixed. So hopefully you will my first proper mix, although I’m also going to convert all my nux tunes to Opus audio to see how that changes everything,

Look out for new mixes on here and my mixgarden…


Machine readable wishes + Quantified Self = Digital legacy?

Machine readable wishes, with a picture of Ian Forrester on stage Text reads: Ian Forrester, founder of QS-Manchester back in the day, gave a fascinating talk a couple of weeks ago at EMF Camp on machine-readable wishes: applying the logic of automation rules to the question of what should happen to your personal data after you die. Ian’s talk made me think about my personal archives in a different way. He makes the case that a personal archive should contain executable instructions and provides an open-source framework to help you do this without entangling yourself even further in rent-seeking cloud services.The whole video (17.5 mins) is available on Peertube and now legacy media (Youtube). Small enough for a TED talk even…

I was reading through the Quantified Self newsletter and had a shock when I saw my talk about machine readable wishes from EMFCamp featured. I shared it on Linkedin quickly but not on my blog.

Ian Forrester, founder of QS-Manchester back in the day, gave a fascinating talk a couple of weeks ago at EMF Camp on machine-readable wishes: applying the logic of automation rules to the question of what should happen to your personal data after you die. Ian’s talk made me think about my personal archives in a different way. He makes the case that a personal archive should contain executable instructions and provides an open-source framework to help you do this without entangling yourself even further in rent-seeking cloud services.

I do think Gary, has the right idea. Machine readable wishes could be used to connect items and (for example) open source data sets for the public research. Or more realistically, create a custom last note to friends and family. Imagine leaving a beautiful infographic of the key moments in your life which were super meaningful to you. I am always reminded of Fabio who tracked all his conversations. Imagine if that conversation after the Quantified self was so impactful and then 40 years later you have a message reminding you how much it meant to the person who recently passed?

Ok bit far out or even creepy, but I was reminded of someone who helped me through my divorce without really knowing how impactful it was to me at the time. Sadly I think that person died.

I do have a markdown document of all the key moments in my life using the markwhen syntax. It wouldn’t take a lot to convert the document to something more readable then provide a few lines in my machine readable wishes to convert it into something beautiful to maybe part of the funeral booklet/order of service; if my executors allow it.

Public Service Internet monthly newsletter (Aug 2026)

Ecosystem of tree roots in a forest
Image by Manfred Antranias Zimmer from Pixabay

We live in incredible times with such possibilities that is clear. Although its easily dismissed hearing how Meta’s Instagram approving illegal adverts, Claude AI chats appearing in public searches along many others and how did we all let one company break the internet?

To quote Buckminster Fuller “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.“

You are seeing aspects of this with Google losing its appeal in the EU anti-trust android case. LG’s 32inch power friendly eink display and with the UK culture secretary leaving X.

Play has limits: The year of the Linux game machines

Ian thinks: Sony is well known for their stance on licencing not owning, recently making their platform even more painful to own. Micrcosft looks to follow suite too. Doubled with the huge costs of memory and console prices rising as discussed on tech won’t save us…Which begs the question, is the next year the year of the Linux game machine?

Libraries to the rescue

Ian thinks: When talking about public service, the importance of librarians is never forgotten. In this discussion with Paris Marx, a number of topics are covered including the notion of library values, algorithmic literacy and libraries as the grass-root resistance to AI.

Rushkoff’s history lesson for us all

Ian thinks: Rushkoff has a lot to say usually and although I don’t always agree. This reminder of history monologue, is so very fitting for where we are now and where we are heading if the status-quo isn’t challenged and changed. A stark warning from history.

Sovereignty: build ecosystems not monocultures

Ian thinks: As a advisory member of the Open Rights Group, I found this essay via a recent live cast about sovereignty. The essay connects and credits a lot of the key points mentioned over this newsletter including rewilding, climate collapse, and open ecosystems. Its needs more attention and I say it deserves it.

Setting light to your community

Ian thinks: I have always been a fan of bonfire, and seeing the direction they have taken the fediverse has been enlightening. This new announcement really cermets their aim to centre the community and their leaders. This is a shining example of the open social future with backbone. Why would deploy anything else?

Modular is the new under-rated metric?

Ian thinks: I usually ignore reviews of consumer technology but watching Marques Brownlee review the Framework 13 pro was enlightening. The key point of why I have included it is because Marques comes to the realisation the longevity of modularity is a feature which is unmeasurable and ignored in reviews

How dating data became a national security problem

Ian thinks: Data and data brokers is a huge problem which is causing too many headaches. In this vid/podcast from 404media, the data which is collected by apps is highlighted and in one case became a national security problem, and I could completely understand why. But you should listen to hear the whole story. Expect chills afterwards.

What are the facts and learnings in the OpenAI LLM cyberattack?

Ian thinks: There has been a lot of talk and disinformation about the Open AI LLM cyber attack on Hugging face. Well Simon Willison’s walk through does underline the lack of security from Open AI, the lack of cooperation and trust in the commercial AI space.

Explaining the AI bubble credit swaps

Ian thinks: This is likely the best and clearest explainer of what is happening with the AI bubble, in regards to the amount of debt which is growing for a number of the AI companies. Ed Zitron has a lot to add to this.

Wearables, making your doctor concerned

Ian thinks: I found this discussion via the quantified self newsletter, In the short video there is a number of questions about how useful user controlled/wearable data is for the medical industry. Its a long running challenge between data and insight.

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Digital italic is dead, long live The Cubicgarden

For a long time, I have been known as DJ Digital Italic. However people have gotten very confused and so today I’m changing my DJ name to The Cubicgarden.

For a long time, I have been known as DJ Digital Italic. However people have gotten very confused and so today I’m changing my DJ name to The Cubicgarden.

DJ Digital Italic shown on a screen while people dance with lazers

Digital italic, came about when I was starting my move from vinyl to MP3’s (yes I switched CDJs because I didn’t like the format for its skeuomorphism. Even then I was thinking this makes no sense to copy the vinyl model.

Anyway I am waiting for my set recording from EMFCamp but honestly its a banger, as you can see in the video above.

I also decided to back off from self hosting my own mix site because sadly there is a bug in Yunohost’s peertube application which means every-time there is a security or feature update it breaks everything. Till then I’m going to use rankett.net, and will start making those changes including a new look soon-ish.

Drift DJ taken on a desk top
I took the drift zero apart to check if there was anything obvious

Another part of the decision is my move from the Pacemaker device to the Drift zero. Something I have been alpha/beta testing for a while. A little update is that it was going great with help from the Drift team but on my last trip to Amsterdam, it just stopped booting. I did the usual charging over night, etc but it wouldn’t boot at all. Sadly it was right before I could show Dirty Si, my friend who first pointed me towards the Drift Zero. It was a shame but ultimately, there was no way to send another prototype out, when the production ones were so close to ready.

My Drift Zero DJ production version

Then last Thursday the production version was delivered to my flat but I was on holiday and wouldn’t get my hands on it till Saturday. Then came Saturday and I got my first play with it and the latest firmware already installed. However its not till tonight I really got a play with it and loaded up a bunch of tunes.

Drift Zero DJ loading tunes

If you want to know more about what happens next, keep an eye on this blog and of course you can order your own and learn more at driftdj.com

Polaroid photo of the Drift Zero DJ production chip with #007 written on it

By the way, my production version is quite special… Yes #007!!!

Something I’m extremely proud to own and be part of right at the start. Now comes the important part of feedback, bug fixing, learning and playing as…

The Cubicgarden…

Time for a wealth tax in the UK?

If you haven’t come across Gary Stevenson of Gary Economics. I would recommend his book, which I have read a while back.

I remember meeting Gary in Manchester a long time ago and I honestly thought he was pretty much right in his mindset that equality is one is one of the biggest problems facing so many people in the UK right now.

Its is incredible that Andy Burnham is the UK’s next prime minister, wouldn’t it be great if a wealth tax was part of his 10 year plan?

Following the documentary I found a lot of negativity especially around Garry being “Owned” by his last interview guest Dan Needke. But watching, its clear Dan and Gary were arguing about something different. This was confirmed when watching this meta discussion about the interchange on Novara media.

Don’t get me wrong its very similar but Gary is trying to solve the big picture of equality, while Dan is so focused on the mechanism of the wealth tax.

Have you thought about your digital legacy? at EMF Camp 2026

Ian on stage talking from EMFCamp

Recently I had the pleasure of talking at EMF Camp about machine readable wishes. The slides are linked here.

The proposal originally was a workshop but converted to a 20min talk in the main stage of EMF Camp at 10am.

Death is inevitable, yet our digital infrastructure remains woefully unprepared for it. While traditional “Letters of Wishes” provide a static roadmap for executors, they lack the agency to interact with our complex, data-driven lives. This workshop introduces the concept of the Machine-Readable Letter of Wishes: a framework for post-mortem autonomy. By applying a “If This, Then That” (IFTTT) logic to digital legacies, we will explore how to automate final wishes across various services, ensuring data is handled with human dignity and precision.

The main reason for the workshop proposal is to hear the views of other people, which was great because in a separate tent in the sunshine; we had a 2 hour conversation about the machine readable wishes.

Update: the video is now available here on peertube and youtube

Thanks again to everyone who turned up at 1000 on a Sunday morning for my 20min talk and the excellent 2hour questions and answers afterwards

The recruitment agency scam, I almost fell for…

Recruitment job scams!

I almost fell for the recruitment agency scam… I was unsure but just had a some useful interaction with a recruitment agency.

Back on 7th July I revived an email on my gmail address, not the one I mainly use for linkedin and lots of sites. Regardless I thought maybe they got it another way.

Here’s the email…

Hello,
I hope you’re doing well.
I’m currently supporting several leadership and specialist searches, and your background stood out as potentially well aligned with a few of them.
Before sharing details, I’d be interested to understand what you’re looking for in your next career move. That way, I can determine whether there’s genuine alignment rather than simply sending over a job description.
If there’s a strong fit, I’d be happy to share more.
Would you be open to exploring opportunities that align with your experience and future goals?

Best Regards,

S*************
Recruiter
B**********

Now looking at it, I should have spotted the genericness of it but I was more interested in the name and company. A name and company I looked up online and on linkedin.

The thing which stood out was they were in America not the UK. I remember having a conversation with my partner about the what kind of opportunity they could be offering, and not wanting to work in the USA. Plus the agency is based in Washington DC.

With that I tried to arrange a video call, which of course I got knocked back. I wrote something back saying I want to stay in the UK or western Europe for family and values. Thinking there would be a proposal for something state-side. I also made clear I was working on things which matter for the public rather than giant corporates money.

A few days later, I got an job proposal back a hybrid position as AI Innovation Director in the UK Cabinet Office in London. I scratched my head and beard with a salary of up to 180,000 gbp, I browsed through the detail and it felt unhuman but then again its from a job spec (I thought). The recruiter kept asking me to provide my CV and cover letter.

I hope you’ve been doing well.

I just wanted to follow up on the AI Innovation Director opportunity I shared. I appreciate that you’re likely busy, so I simply wanted to check whether you’ve had a chance to review it.

If it still aligns with what you’re looking for, I’d be happy to review your resume against the mandate and determine the most appropriate next step.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts when you have a moment.

But I wasn’t sure about it, so pushed back and then they provided an alternative job a day later

Thank you again for your thoughtful response. I really appreciated the additional context you shared, particularly your interest in opportunities centered on the ethical use of technology, AI, open data, and responsible innovation. That gave me a much clearer picture of the type of mandate that would genuinely resonate with you.

Based on that, I came across a role that I believe is a much stronger fit.

Director, AI Ethics & Responsible Use
Marriott International | Remote

This executive leadership role is focused on shaping the organization’s Responsible AI strategy by establishing governance frameworks, guiding the ethical adoption of AI across the business, and partnering with executive, legal, technology, and product leaders to ensure AI is deployed responsibly, transparently, and in line with emerging regulations. The position also offers a highly competitive compensation package, including a six-figure base salary, annual bonus, and equity.

Given your background in ethical technology, emerging technologies, open source initiatives, and your passion for driving meaningful societal impact through responsible innovation, I thought this opportunity aligned much more closely with what you described.

If this resonates with the direction you’re looking to take, I’d be glad to share the full job description.

This is when I did what I should have done much earlier. I messaged the named recruiter on linkedin. It was a early message and I was 3 degrees away but they replied.

Hi Ian thank you for making me aware of this. That is NOT me. Please do not continue to respond to them. My legitimate email is ******************

It all clicked then and I realised I should have done this right at the start. The email was from the company, not a gmail. It also matched the recruiter company domain.

We talked for a bit and I shared all the emails with them, as they wanted to share it with their company security. This also made me think knowing this is a scam, I should share it with the NCSC, which I have done too.

Lastly because I am very aware of the social pressure to bury this stuff, I decided to write this blog to warn others of this scam and how easy it is to be tricked.

Be-careful out there!