Anti-Capitalist Technology Frameworks

Research conducted: June 11, 2025

Key Insights

1. Standards development organizations demonstrate collaborative knowledge production that limits corporate dominance
2. Digital ecosocialism offers a comprehensive framework for transitioning to a socialist digital economy
3. Decentralization and socialization of technology can promote community-driven governance
4. Anti-capitalist software licensing presents a practical approach to challenging capitalist exploitation
5. Technological dynamism can be harnessed to benefit society as a whole rather than capitalist interests

Citations and References

1. The Anti-Capitalist Case for Standards - MIT Press Reader (2025-03-24)
2. Anti-Capitalist Chronicles: When Technology Becomes A Business (2022-03-10)
3. Anti-Capitalist Chronicles: Technological Dynamism - YouTube (2022-02-24)
4. Digital Ecosocialism: Breaking the power of Big Tech
5. The Path to Destroying Capitalism Might Go Through a Software License - VICE (2020-08-26)

View full report

Indigenous Digital Sovereignty

Research conducted: June 11, 2025

Key Insights

1. Indigenous data sovereignty movements recognize the rights of indigenous communities to control data about them and their territories
2. Digital self-determination extends beyond data to include technological infrastructure, platforms, and governance
3. Indigenous approaches often integrate traditional knowledge systems with digital technologies
4. Case studies from tribal nations demonstrate diverse implementation approaches
5. Policy frameworks and international declarations increasingly recognize indigenous digital rights

Citations and References

1. Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Policy - Taylor & Francis (2021-05-02)
2. Digital Sovereignty: Aboriginal Peoples and the Future of the Internet - CIRA (2023-10-15)
3. Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Data Sovereignty - Ethics and Information Technology (2020-07-18)
4. Tribal Technology Assessment: The State of Internet Service on Tribal Lands - American Indian Policy Institute (2022-08-01)
5. Indigenous Peoples in the Information Age: From Digital Divide to Data Sovereignty - Routledge (2024-01-25)

View full report

Technology Commons Governance Models

Research conducted: June 11, 2025

Key Insights

1. Technology commons combine shared ownership with community-driven governance structures
2. Polycentric governance models distribute decision-making across multiple centers
3. Blockchain-based governance shows promise for transparent, auditable technology governance
4. Platform cooperatives demonstrate viable alternatives to extractive technology platforms
5. Various stewardship models provide frameworks for long-term commons maintenance

Citations and References

1. Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action - Cambridge University Press (1990)
2. Platform Cooperativism: Challenging the Corporate Sharing Economy - Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung (2016)
3. Patterns of Commoning - Commons Strategy Group (2015)
4. Blockchain Governance: Programming Our Future - Hackernoon (2024-01-11)
5. Community Rule: A Template for Peer Governance - Community Rule (2023-04-30)

View full report

Open Source Large Language Models Community

Research conducted: June 5, 2025

Key Insights

1. Open source LLMs offer transparency and customization capabilities that proprietary models cannot match
2. Community-driven development is central to open source LLM advancement, with projects like LLM360 advocating for community-owned AGI
3. Leading open source models include LLaMA 3.1 (8B-405B parameters), BLOOM (176B parameters), and Falcon 180B
4. These models support multilingual capabilities and extensive context lengths (up to 128K tokens)
5. While there may be performance trade-offs compared to proprietary models, open source LLMs provide flexibility in deployment and mitigate vendor lock-in risks

Citations and References

1. Awesome-LLM: a curated list of Large Language Model - GitHub

2. [LLM360

   Community-Driven AGI via Open-Source LLMs](https://www.llm360.ai)

3. Open Source Large Language Models - Industry Insider (2024-05-10)
4. Top 10 open source LLMs for 2025 - NetApp Instaclustr
5. Essential open source large language models to watch in 2025 (2024-12-13)

View full report

Community AI Initiatives and Cooperative Governance Models

Research conducted: July 23, 2025

Executive Summary

Community-controlled AI initiatives represent a growing movement toward democratized artificial intelligence that prioritizes community ownership, ethical data stewardship, and participatory design. These projects span Indigenous language preservation, cooperative translation systems, distributed learning platforms, and community education initiatives.

Key Areas Covered

• Indigenous Language Preservation AI: Cherokee Nation digitization, Blackfeet Community College language companions, federated learning approaches
• Community Translation Systems: Global Voices Lingua, Crowdin cooperative platform, Kiwix offline distribution
• Distributed Knowledge Management: Ushahidi crisis mapping, community-driven data verification systems
• Cooperative Governance Models: Role-based access, quality control through community moderation, shared resource management

View full report

Fruit Sharing and Gleaning Apps

Research conducted: June 28, 2025

Overview

Analysis of digital platforms for urban harvest sharing, excess produce donation, and community food redistribution. Examines how technology can facilitate food waste reduction and community resource sharing outside market systems.

Platforms Analyzed

• OLIO app and business models
• NeighborFood and Ripe Near Me
• Gleaning coordination platforms
• Urban harvest sharing networks

View full report

Time Banking Software Implementations

Research conducted: June 11, 2025

Overview

Comprehensive analysis of time banking software platforms that enable non-monetary exchange systems based on hours of service rather than currency.

Major Platforms

• hOurworld Time and Talents: Used by 400+ time banks in 39 countries
• Community Weaver: Migration and conversion capabilities
• Community Forge: Open source time banking solution
• Technical architecture and governance features

View full report

Safety Systems for Vulnerable Users

Research conducted: June 12, 2025

Focus Areas

• Location sharing safety protocols
• Whisper networks for community protection
• Reputation systems in P2P platforms
• Privacy-preserving safety features
• Community accountability mechanisms

Reports in This Series

1. Location Sharing Safety
2. Reputation Systems P2P
3. Safety Systems for Vulnerable Users
4. Whisper Networks Safety

Zapatista Technology and Governance Models

Research conducted: June 11, 2025

Research Series

Comprehensive analysis of Zapatista approaches to technology, governance, and community communication systems.

Reports

1. Digital Infrastructure: Community-controlled internet, autonomous networks
2. Governance Models: Consensus-based decision making, rotating leadership
3. Radio Networks: Community radio as organizing infrastructure

Full Reports

• Zapatista Digital Infrastructure
• Zapatista Governance
• Zapatista Radio Networks

CRDTs for Community Applications

Research conducted: June 18, 2025

Overview

Conflict-free Replicated Data Types (CRDTs) enable distributed, offline-first applications perfect for community-controlled systems without central servers.

Key Applications

• Collaborative editing without central authority
• Offline-first community tools
• Distributed consensus mechanisms
• Local-first software architectures

View full report

Independent Research Labs as Alternative Models

Research conducted: June 27, 2025

Executive Summary

Deep analysis of independent research labs operating outside traditional corporate R&D or academic structures, exploring alternative funding models, organizational structures, and approaches to technology development.

Key Organizations Analyzed

• Ink & Switch: Local-first software, tools for thought, Automerge CRDT library
• Dynamicland: Spatial computing without screens, embodied interaction
• Viewpoints Research Institute: Educational reform and computational innovation
• Protocol Labs: Decentralized web infrastructure (IPFS, Filecoin)

Key Findings

• Alternative funding models mixing sponsorships, grants, and community support
• Focus on human-centered, local-first, and democratized technology
• Organizational structures prioritizing research freedom over commercial deliverables
• Strong alignment with anti-capitalist technology development frameworks

View full deep report

Community Control as Central Theme

Analysis across all research reports reveals community control and governance as the defining characteristic of successful anti-capitalist technology initiatives:

• Data Sovereignty: From Indigenous language preservation to time banking systems
• Federated Architecture: Distributed systems that maintain local autonomy
• Cooperative Governance: Democratic decision-making in platform design
• Local-First Design: Prioritizing community needs over scale

Technology Stack Recommendations

Based on research findings, recommended technologies for community projects:

1. CRDTs for offline-first collaboration
2. Federated Learning for privacy-preserving AI
3. Time Banking Platforms for non-monetary exchange
4. Mesh Networks for communication sovereignty
5. Open Source Governance Tools for democratic management

Priority Areas for Development

Based on comprehensive research analysis, the following areas show highest potential for impact:

1. Indigenous Technology Sovereignty
   • Immediate community need
   • Clear governance models
   • Existing successful examples
2. Community Safety Infrastructure
   • Critical for vulnerable populations
   • Privacy-preserving approaches available
   • Community trust mechanisms proven
3. Alternative Economic Systems
   • Time banking implementations mature
   • Food sharing networks demonstrating viability
   • Cooperative platforms scaling successfully
4. Independent Research Models
   • Sustainable funding approaches identified
   • Organizational structures documented
   • Alignment with anti-capitalist values confirmed