View source for Imagining anarcho-collective networks: mesh-networking together through Reticulum

{{Event
|Name=Imagining anarcho-collective networks: mesh-networking together through Reticulum
|Location=H&D Studio
|Date=2026/07/21
|Time=11:00-13:30
|PeopleOrganisations=Sen
|Type=HDSC2026
|Web=Yes
|Print=No
}}
''This event is only for participants of the Summer Camp 2026 and not open to the public, want to join us: check the [[HDSC2026 Clouds to Commons Public Program]]''


In this collective session we will fantasize together about alternative communication infrastructures. What would a world with anarcho-collective networks such as Reticulum look like? How would we interact differently with such a network? 

Reticulum is a somewhat new mesh networking-stack that allows you to build large networks with accesible off-the-shelf technology. This allows users to use and create a network that empowers the autonomy and sovereignty of communities and individuals, not subjected to outside control or censorship. 

In the process of creating this new network, we can most likely all agree that Reticulum shouldn't become an internet 2.0. So, what different shape could this new network create? We have all the cards, we just have to play them...

In this workshop we will delve into what Reticulum is, set up a basic instance on our computer, discover in what shapes it is already being used by exploring NomadNet pages together, and lastly fantasize about an alternative world where Reticulum is our main communication infrastructure, all ideas crazy and practical welcome. 

This workshop will not delve into specifics of the technologies used by Reticulum!

Proposed time schedule:
* Introduction to Reticulum (45m)
* Setting up NomadNet / MeshChatX on our computers (30m)
* Small break (15m)
* Browse NomadNet together and collect pages and resources (30m)
* Popcorn time: wild ideas for Reticulum (30m) 
* Sharing thoughts and reflections (20m)

'''What is Reticulum and why should you care?''' (Detailed)

Reticulum is a cryptography-based networking stack for building both local and wide-area networks with readily available hardware, that can continue to operate under adverse conditions, such as extremely low bandwidth and very high latency. 

Reticulum allows you to build wide-area networks with off-the-shelf tools, and offers end-to-end encryption, forward secrecy, autoconfiguring cryptographically backed multi-hop transport, efficient addressing, unforgeable packet acknowledgements and more.

From a users perspective, Reticulum allows the creation of applications that respect and empower the autonomy and sovereignty of communities and individuals. Reticulum enables secure digital communication that cannot be subjected to outside control, manipulation or censorship.

Reticulum enables the construction of both small and potentially planetary-scale networks, without any need for hierarchical or bureaucratic structures to control or manage them, while ensuring individuals and communities full sovereignty over their own network segments. (above courtesy of Reticulum.network)

The Reticulum Network is a very clear jump in networking infrastructure over the internet. Whilst the world has become more uncertain, our communication infrastructure has only become more centralised. Even if we choose to use "better" alternatives to WhatsApp, Instagram, etc., we are still always completely reliant on the one underlying network, i.e. "The Internet". With the push of a button, "The Internet" may all of a sudden become unavailable.  In places with oppressive regimes, this has not been uncommon.  In the current political climate, it would not be surprising if any political system all of a sudden became repressive. (Text courtesy of various Reticulum organisers in low countries)

'''Access note:'''
* This workshop will be conducted in English. 
* Software used in this workshop is still early in development and is not yet designed to be accessible for participants with special needs.


'''Participants, please bring!'''
* Your computer
* If you have any, LoRa Boards would be fun to bring

'''Resources:'''
* The Zen of Reticulum: https://reticulum.network/manual/zen.html
* Reticulum Community Site: https://reticulum.community/


'''Bio:'''

Sen van der Heide / 上田蟬 / Sen Ueda 

Sen (22) is a Dutch-Japanese cultural worker, artist, and technologist, and a student of HKU Image & Media Technology in Utrecht. He explores the influences of technological systems on our society and daily life.

His work focuses on designs and interventions that rethink technology in ways that are non-extractivist, anti-capitalist, and democratic, with the goal of giving citizens more say. He develops projects that are both critical and practical, such as interventions in physical space and the hosting and development of accessible alternative tools and infrastructures to big tech, aimed at local use by diverse communities.
His practice is interdisciplinary and participatory. He works closely with cultural, social, civic, and municipal organizations such as Civic Creative Base Tokyo (CCBT), Varia, and Uncloud, and is often active in civic volunteer roles in which he seeks direct contact with diverse groups of people.

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