I talked with Tucker about this yesterday and we’re planning to do a mini-hackathon to take this forward some time this Autumn. Here’s an outline based on that chat:
I also spoke to Rich Bartlett about this recently.
Outline of Archipelago Project
Mapping an emerging “island-chain” of places where a regenerative, second renaissance culture is surfacing
Purpose
- To make visible the network of living, practicing “Second Renaissance / Metamodern / Liminal Web” spaces.
- To serve as a gateway for those discovering one space to explore others (“If you liked X, explore Y”).
- [Secondary] To curate and subtly delineate the field — showing what “counts” as part of this ecosystem through examples.
Features (envisioned)
- Curated map or directory of places, filterable or clustered by theme, geography, or depth of alignment.
- Short write-ups for each location (vibe, ethos, type of practice, contact info, visiting/staying options).
- (?) Occasional interviews or short podcasts with founders/residents — e.g. simple Zoom recordings published via Substack or YouTube. (if energy)
- (?) Tags or “field-proximity” indicators (e.g. “core to the field,” “related,” “peripheral”) — helping articulate what the “conceptual center” of the field is, in a Wittgensteinian sense (show, not tell).
Archipelago — Frequently Asked Questions
0. Who’s involved
This is currently an informal collaboration of Tucker Walsh and Life Itself (led by Rufus Pollock). Others are welcome to join.
What are we listing?
Spaces of living practice — places, events, and pop-ups that embody the spirit of the Second Renaissance: integration of inner and outer transformation, cultural creativity, and community living.
That could include:
- Residency centers and intentional communities where people can stay or live
- Retreats and monasteries open to guests
- Studios, farms, or urban hubs with ongoing programs
- Pop-up gatherings or seasonal events (e.g., summer schools, festivals)
The key is that they are alive — not just ideas or defunct projects, but actual living expressions of this field.
Do they have to be long-term?
Not necessarily. The archipelago can include both ongoing islands and temporary ones. You might imagine a slider or filter:
- Long-term spaces — hubs, monasteries, communities
- Seasonal or recurring pop-ups — residencies, nomadic camps
- Short-term events — under a week, often application-based
The guiding idea is presence: each island, however temporary, is a real node in the living archipelago.
How is this different from existing directories?
We’re not building a comprehensive catalog of every “alternative space.” We’re curating a living constellation — fewer, deeper profiles that help reveal the center of the field rather than exhaustively map its edges. Quality and resonance over quantity.
What kind of information will each entry include?
Each listing might include:
- Name, location, and website or contact
- Short description (ethos, activities, atmosphere)
- Type (place / pop-up / event)
- Access (public / by application / invitation-only)
- Optional: photos, short interviews, or links to related media
Why call it an “Archipelago”?
“Archipelago” because this is an emerging chain of islands where this culture is surfacing.
Because the metaphor fits: a chain of distinct yet related islands in a shared sea. Each is self-contained, yet together they form a geography — the visible shape of an emergent culture. (Also: yes, Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea is a quiet inspiration.)
6. How can I contribute?
If you know of a space or have created one, you can:
- Submit a listing or short write-up
- Offer to help curate or interview hosts
- Help build the map, design, or content flow
This is a collaborative cultural cartography project — open to stewards, editors, and travelers alike.
Colophon
First posted at https://forum.secondrenaissance.net/t/the-archipelgo-creating-a-list-of-places-where-we-see-regen-culture-seeding/37
