A term that I'm fascinated by: conviviality.

This term is associated with Ivan Illich and his Tools for Conviviality.

Like many differentiated thinkers with an unapologetic worldview, there's some controversy surrounding him.

Like many such thinkers, there are parts that I feel a warmth of deep resonance with, and others that leave me cold.

But in the spirit of "yes, and," let's focus on the warmth.

Conviviality, to me, means "alive, together".

Deeply alive, empowered, leaning into our agency and potential to create good in the world.

Together: not a fortress of individual autonomy, but collaboratively building meaning and goodness.

We are not islands, we are gloriously enmeshed in a fabric of human potential, empowerment, and cooperation.

Our tools should reflect our ideals, and act as extensions of our agency.

The fabric of technology we've enrobed ourselves in is the ultimate tool.

Shouldn't we make that fabric also have that convivial spirit?