Ian | Founder & Firestarter @cubicgarden.com

Thanks everyone who commented on #techgrumps.
I agree the editing was a difficult one. There was a number of issues, which I think added up the difficult to separate audio recording.

I wouldn't rule out the whole podcast because of this one. Were taking on the feedback for the next one.

07.08.2025 21:23 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Pipelines and AI? A long time ago I described pipelines and where they could go. I was made aware of Google's OPAL project and reminded of how strong pipelines can be for managing complexity. The pipes are described by prompts but interestingly you can reuse and share pipes and the whole flow. Which leads me to wonder if there might be a little market place for the pipes?

Could you recreate Google OPAL using XPROC?
Pipelines and AI apis

04.08.2025 10:38 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A Storm in a french grapevine pacemaker device mix Recently I found myself in rural southern France and of course, my Pacemaker device and headphones came with me. It was weird being surrounded by nothing but grapevines. Certainly wine country. I took a nice shot with a very rare dark sky. With a bit of tweaking, you got the cover for a storm in a french grapevine. The tunes are certainly not safe for work, and I just doubled down on the nsfw tunes with a uplift in bpm too.

My latest #pacemakerdevice mix
A Storm in a french grapevine

Something for the headphones on your Monday morning commute. Just don't sing it out loud 😅.

03.08.2025 23:37 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Public Service Internet monthly newsletter (Aug 2025) We live in incredible times with such possibilities that is clear. Although its easily dismissed seeing browsers extensions turned into scraper bots, bodies used to fingerprint you with wifi and Mozilla under more pressure. 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.

Public Service Internet monthly newsletter (Aug 2025)

We live in incredible times with such possibilities that is clear. Although its easily dismissed seeing browsers extensions turned into scraper bots, bodies used to fingerprint you with wifi and Mozilla under more pressure.

To quote…

01.08.2025 08:10 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

An update on where I have been recently (post R&D) Its been around 4 months since I officially left BBC R&D. Its been a while since I did a catch up of where I am and a lot has happened. First of all I have setup a limited company, one of the main reasons is to seriously pursue how to build the public space as an viable alternative to commercial and government space.

An update on where I have been recently (post R&D)

Its been around 4 months since I officially left BBC R&D. Its been a while since I did a catch up of where I am and a lot has happened...

30.07.2025 15:27 — 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

FediForum | FediForum partners with Free Software conference SFSCON for November 7-8, 2025 in Bolzano, Italy

Interested in the #fediforum especially the notion of a #fediforumeurope ?
Well your dreams have been answered!
fediforum.org/news/2025-07...
Shame its at the same weekend as #mozfest

mas.to/@cubicgarden...

15.07.2025 23:39 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Finally, in her beautiful closing keynote on Rewilding the Internet, @mariafarrell.bsky.social described how we can move from an Internet dominated by “highways” (massive scale, dangerous, centralised) to “hedgerows” (spread-out, smaller, diverse connections) 🌱

18.06.2025 14:21 — 👍 9 🔁 3 💬 2 📌 1

Public Service Internet monthly newsletter (July 2025) We live in incredible times with such possibilities that is clear. Although its easily dismissed seeing how how much time we are spending on our smartphones. whats happening with GDPR and the low-background steel problem of the AI contaminated 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.

Public Service Internet monthly newsletter (July 2025)

We live in incredible times with such possibilities that is clear. Although its easily dismissed seeing how how much time we are spending on our smartphones. whats happening with GDPR and the low-background steel problem of the AI contaminated…

01.07.2025 07:55 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

FediForum Keynote: Ian Forrester - Spectra Video Keynote by Ian Forrester (@cubicgarden@mas.to or @cubicgarden.com) at FediForum June 2025. More info: https://fediforum.org/2025-06

Watch Ian Forrester talk about the Public Service Internet and the Fediverse in his keynote at FediForum June 2025.

PeerTube: spectra.video/w/tvmX...
YouTube: youtu.be/11fHSb_GT48

#FediForum
/cc @cubicgarden@mas.to @cubicgarden.com

14.06.2025 16:00 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

@cubicgarden.com presented the new BBC R&D report on The Social Internet. My favourite quote, on metrics: “if one message gets someone up on their feet to go out into the world & do something for the betterment of society, that’s more powerful than a billion likes” 👍

18.06.2025 14:21 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0

The Aerodynamic connection mix On my last trip to Europe, I flew to Amsterdam to get a train to Brussels and flew back from the awful Brussels South airport. I won't be doing that again if I can help it. During that time I got time to another Pacemaker device mix. The self hosted mixing site is still broken, its a thing I am trying to fix as its a bigger problem with Yunohost and the bookworm update.

I present the Aerodynamic connection #pacemakerdevice mix. Fresh from Amsterdam and Brussels last week.

29.06.2025 11:13 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Needed changes are not going to come from Apple & Google Its been all over the news recently. Apple's stunning 'Liquid Glass' design could change everything and Andorid's material 3 design change. These user interface changes I have lots of thoughts about them from a design and UI point of view (most which has been said elsewhere). However my biggest thought is the underlying problems of our smartphones and our tired notions.

There is a real need for designers to embrace HDI (Human Data Interaction) over the tired notion of HCI (Human Computer Interaction).
This isn't going to come from Apple & Google...

21.06.2025 22:57 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Fediverse: a New Era of Social Media – The video The most recent Fediforum brought a lot of incredible changes for the Fediverse. One of the biggest and most exciting was the video by Elena Rossini. Oh and I also did one of the 3 keynote talks too...

Fediverse: a New Era of Social Media - The video by @_elena@mastodon.social
First shown at the #fediforum

15.06.2025 22:52 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

I long for the day when Bluesky finally gets around to implementing being able to check who's in the thread and removing individuals if they're not taking part, and also being able to untag yourself from a conversation.

10.06.2025 08:44 — 👍 12 🔁 2 💬 2 📌 0

Delirium and encounter at the Berlin watergate mix I mentioned in the last post which was another mix. I have been out and about quite a lot, with time for creating more mixes. My self hosted mixing site is a little broken at the moment, so I'm relying on peertube again. This mix was recorded as you can guess in Berlin during Republica in late May. I had some time before heading back to the UK and decided Berlin needed something a little lighter from the previous ones I did on…

Delirium and encounter at the Berlin watergate mix

Another #pacemakerdevice mix from Germany

10.06.2025 00:23 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Deutschland industrial fly over mix I have been out and about quite a lot, which means time for creating mixes on the pacemaker device. My self hosted mixing site is a little broken at the moment. However I have shared the mix on peertube. This one was recorded on my flight from Bremen earlier in May. I quite liked Bremen, but like Hamburg but still not Berlin.

I present the Deutschland industrial fly over mix. Fresh from Breman, Germany. A mix which reflects the city maybe?

09.06.2025 23:17 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Lets talk about the future of social media at PublicSpaces 2025 I am very much looking forward to being at the PublicSpaces conference again, this time to talk at some depth about the future of social. It is time to reinvent our social media landscape and the way we communicate online! What do we really need to be connected in this digital age? How can we shape a social media landscape where public values, such as privacy and accountability, are safeguarded?

Lets talk about the future of social media at PublicSpaces 2025

#MakeSocialsSocialAgain
#pubconf2025

09.06.2025 22:42 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

re:publica 25: Six Feet Under a Data Centre: Let’s talk about Death and Legacy online! Things are moving quickly right now, with a 5th trip to Europe over the last 2 months booked. Republica was fantastic again and for the first time, I spent time with new and old friends from the Netherlands and Germany. One of the highlights from Republica is finally getting on stage after 4 different visits and myself and Leanne being selected in 2020 but not being able speak due to the…

Six Feet Under a Data Centre: Talking about digital legacy online at #re:publica 25 #rp25

09.06.2025 16:24 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Techgrumps 3.28 – If no-one monetizes no-one HAS to monetize Another quick turnaround on the podcast. However the Techgrumps those perpetually displeased connoisseurs of digital disappointment—are still finding things to grumble about from last month. Apparently, the revolutionary AI is just a rehash of something from a by gone era. Grumps this time include the voices of Ian Forrester, David Eastman, Wendy Grossman and Ryan Alexander. …

Another quick turnaround on the podcast. However the Techgrumps those perpetually displeased connoisseurs of digital disappointment—are still finding things to grumble about from last month. Apparently, the revolutionary AI is just a rehash of something from a by gone era.

03.06.2025 11:36 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Public Service Internet monthly newsletter (June 2025) We live in incredible times with such possibilities that is clear. Although its easily dismissed reading how expensive NFTs were replaced with errors, Meta adding facial recognition to their glasses regardless and Chrome backtracks on 3rd party cookies plans. 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.

We live in incredible times with such possibilities that is clear. Although its easily dismissed reading how [expensive NFTs were replaced with errors](https://www.404media.co/nfts-that-cost-millions-replaced-with-error-message-after-project-downgraded-to-free-cloudflare-plan/), [Meta adding facial…

01.06.2025 07:10 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

FediForum FediForum: moving the Open Social Web forward

The countdown-to-FediForum counter is back on https://fediforum.org

A week from right now, FediForum Day 1 will be in full swing. We will have heard the keynote by @cubicgarden, seen some amazing demos and will be in the middle making the agenda for the unconference sessions for the day.

29.05.2025 16:39 — 👍 1 🔁 5 💬 0 📌 0

Keynoting at the Fediforum 2025 I'm really happy to announce following my previous announcement, I'll be talking about the Public Service Internet and the Fediverse at the fediforum this coming month of June 2025. Alongside Cory Doctorow and Christine Lemmer-Webber, all fantastic, thoughtful and smart people. If you haven't been to a Fediforum or unsure about the Fediverse; Its time to jump in and join the future.

The Fedi-Public service internet?
Keynoting at the Fediforum 2025 on June 5-7th.

20.05.2025 13:03 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Techgrumps 3.27 – The New Frankenstien, virturally corpse free The Techgrumps are after a quick turn around, however there is plenty more to be grumpy about!. Grumps this time include the voices of Ian Forrester, David Eastman, Wendy Grossman and Ryan Alexander. Techgrumps 3.27 audio Enjoy the mp3 audio and share with others. Remember to use the #techgrumps on any social networks you maybe using to message us or learn more about how to be a guest on the show…

The #Techgrumps are after a quick turn around, however there is plenty more to be grumpy about!.

18.05.2025 22:22 — 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

Techgrumps 3.26 – Its like being in a whirlpool of apps We are back after a quick turn around and there is plenty to be grumpy about!. Leading the grumpiness this time include the voices of Ian Forrester, David Eastman, Hannah Field and Ryan Alexander. Techgrumps 3.26 audio Enjoy the mp3 audio and share with others. Remember to use the #techgrumps on any social networks you maybe using to message us or learn more about how to be a guest on the show, just as our special guest did!

Techgrumps 3.26 – Its like being in a whirlpool of apps

We are back after a quick turn around and there is plenty to be grumpy about!. Leading the grumpiness this time include the voices of Ian Forrester, David Eastman, Hannah Field and Ryan Alexander. Techgrumps 3.26 audio Enjoy the mp3 audio…

18.05.2025 16:06 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Techgrumps 3.25.r3 – When the bed is moving at 2am After a back and forth over recording dates and times, the techgrumps get their act together for a another hour of grumpness. Leading the grumpiness this time include the voices of Ian Forrester, David Eastman, Wendy Grossman, Hannah Field and Ryan Alexander. Techgrumps 3.25 audio Enjoy the mp3 audio and share with others. Remember to use the #techgrumps on any social networks you maybe using to message us or learn more about how to be a guest on the show, just as our special guest did!

Techgrumps 3.25.r3 – When the bed is moving at 2am

After a back and forth over recording dates and times, the techgrumps get their act together for a another hour of grumpness. Leading the grumpiness this time include the voices of Ian Forrester, David Eastman, Wendy Grossman, Hannah Field and…

15.05.2025 21:52 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Love #TDC25 …the knitter is @hurdygurdygal.bsky.social and the person on the laptop is @cubicgarden.com #Knitting

15.05.2025 15:16 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 1

HOME - THINKING DIGITAL The Thinking Digital Conference is an annual event on technology, ideas and our future. Launched in May 2008 and held annually at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, our next... Read more

Pondering what to take to #TDC25 tomorrow. I'm hoping the chatter here will start to look like it used to on the other place. Let me know if you are going. thinkingdigital.co.uk

13.05.2025 06:27 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 1

Advisory position and status changes A few things have happened recently... You may have noticed a few changes to my blog and there are quite a few more to come. But theres more exciting news... On top of the Fediforum advisory position which I blogged about last week. I am part of an EU project with lots of cross over between the Perceptive Radio, …

My Advisory position, conferences and status changes... And I'm just getting started

13.05.2025 13:24 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

I’m joining the Fediforum as an advisor Really happy to be part of an great advisory team for Fediforum and ultimately for the Future of the Fediverse.

I'm joining the Fediforum as an advisor

06.05.2025 22:08 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

I was going to self publish my book but this looks worth while...
i0.wp.com/cubicgarden....
Who knows...?

02.05.2025 09:13 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Ian | Founder & Firestarter

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