Join Me in Jamverse
Join the Jamverse, a burgeoning "protocol fiction universe" set in a near-future Earth, where collaborative world-building is the main game. This post invites writers to contribute to its unique blend of speculative systems, surreal folklore, and augmented reality civic protocols. It resonates with Hacker News's appreciation for complex, emergent systems and intellectual deep dives into future possibilities.
The Lowdown
“Join Me in Jamverse” announces an ambitious collaborative project: a "protocol fiction universe" where writers contribute to a shared, near-future Earth setting. Conceived by Venkatesh Rao, Jamverse is designed around "strange (but not magical) rules" and explores the implications of highly protocolized societies, inviting creative minds to shape its evolving narrative landscape.
- Jamverse is a growing speculative fiction platform with 15 short stories by four authors and various world-building elements.
- A contest is currently underway, inviting contributions of "worldbuilding artifacts" with a deadline of July 31st to help expand the universe.
- The author, Venkatesh Rao, has contributed two microfictions: "Ziploc Protocol," exploring subverting protocols in a highly regulated jurisdiction, and "The Thicket," a vibe piece on future exurban environments.
- The universe features intriguing concepts like augmented reality civic protocols, a trans-planetary train, surreal folklore, and novel governance models.
- New contributors are provided with an AI-generated orientation and a comprehensive "codex" to aid their understanding and participation. This open invitation offers a unique opportunity for writers to engage with a new form of collaborative storytelling, contributing to a rich, evolving world that promises intellectual depth and creative freedom.