Ian | Founder & Firestarter's Avatar

Ian | Founder & Firestarter

@cubicgarden.com

Previously Senior firestarter at BBC RD, emergent technology expert and serial social geek event organiser. http://www.cubicgarden.com | @cubicgarden@mas.to

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27.04.2023
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Latest posts by Ian | Founder & Firestarter @cubicgarden.com

Public Service Internet monthly newsletter (March 2026) We live in incredible times with such possibilities that is clear. Although its easily dismissed hearing the insanity of prediction markets, potential governmental influence on app stores and Open AI confidence is dispensing. To quote Buckminster Fuller "You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.

We live in incredible times with such possibilities that is clear. Although its easily dismissed hearing the insanity of prediction markets, potential governmental influence on app stores and Open AI confidence is dispensing.

To quote Buckminster Fuller "You never change things by fighting the…

02.03.2026 08:35 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
The shadow of concrete ruins mix Its been a while since I created a mix on the Pacemaker device, but a recent trip to Budapest gave me some time to try out a few new tunes in a mix. This mix is a real banger, with a lot of really great tunes alongside some classic ones to anchor the mix. Weirdly enough, the mp3 recorder ran out of battery just near the end and I had to recreate the last 3 tunes.

Its been a while since I created a mix on the Pacemaker device, but a recent trip to Budapest gave me some time to try out a few new tunes on the old #pacemakerdevice

I present the Budapest influenced : The shadow of concrete ruins mix.

Turn it up!

26.02.2026 23:24 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Feeling the sizzle of Seoul Listen to Making the familiar strange on RedCircle

New episode of Making the familiar strange podcast

A podcast about #love #intimacy #relationships #loneliness

Feeling the sizzle of Seoul

redcircle.com/shows/95190f...

Dr Jessica talks Korean romance and her work over the last few years, while Ian can't get his hunger out of his head.

26.02.2026 16:00 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Video thumbnail

Age walls could be erected at the government's whim.

New Henry VIII powers would give Ministers the ability to impose age verification across the Internet. And it goes way beyond social media.

We'll have to surrender our ID to unregulated providers for everyday access to information and services.

26.02.2026 10:07 👍 18 🔁 26 💬 1 📌 0
Preview
Techgrumps 3.37 - AI Discussions sandboxed for your security | Podcast Episode on RSS.com Techgrumps 3.37 - AI Discussions sandboxed for your securityThe AI Skills Hub is a bit lightweight.https://aiskillshub.org.uk/Anthropic has invested 1.5M in the Python Software Foundationhttps://simon...

#techgrumps 3.37 is now available for your listening pleasure.

#AI discussions sandboxed for your security!

* rss.com/podcasts/tec...

* techgrumps.wordpress.com/2026/02/10/t...

With the grumpy voices of @wendyg.bsky.social @rnalexander.bsky.social @eastmad.bsky.social

10.02.2026 22:17 👍 3 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Making the familiar strange with Albert Fox Cahn Listen to Making the familiar strange on RedCircle

The 2nd episode of Making the Familiar Strange podcast is now available with @foxcahn.bsky.social, myself and Dr Jessica.

This is a frank conversation about the sorry state of #dating, #intimacy and #enshittification.

redcircle.com/shows/95190f...

Available everywhere you get podcasts...now!

24.01.2026 11:40 👍 2 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0
Public Service Internet monthly newsletter (Feb 2026) By Linda DV We live in incredible times with such possibilities that is clear. Although its easily dismissed hearing about the whisperpair flaw, Windows Bitlocker keys available to the FBI and owning nothing is freeing of your money. To quote Buckminster Fuller "You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.

Public Service Internet monthly newsletter (Feb 2026)

We live in incredible times with such possibilities that is clear. Although its easily dismissed hearing about the whisperpair flaw, Windows Bitlocker keys available to the FBI and owning nothing is freeing of your money.

To quote Buckminster…

02.02.2026 09:11 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Making the familiar strange with Albert Fox Cahn Listen to Making the familiar strange on RedCircle

The 2nd episode of Making the Familiar Strange podcast is now available with @foxcahn.bsky.social, myself and Dr Jessica.

This is a frank conversation about the sorry state of #dating, #intimacy and #enshittification.

redcircle.com/shows/95190f...

Available everywhere you get podcasts...now!

24.01.2026 11:40 👍 2 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0

It's also *deliberately* disingenuous because we did explain AT and Eurosky at great length to their primary funder.

If I were launching a social media about truth and verification I'd, like, try not to lie but that's just me.

Anyway, some of us have work to do.

21.01.2026 17:33 👍 138 🔁 30 💬 6 📌 7
Digital legacy planning? Recently I was looking around at the space of digital legacy after a conversation with a friend and ahead of a presentation myself and Sam are giving at FOSdem 2026 titled Fedi legacy; next weekend in Brussels. I was quite shocked at some of the products and services including  expensive glorified spreadsheets templates (I won't link to it). Then I came across…

Digital legacy planning?

This space is full of "interesting" services and products but nothing like machinereadablewishes.cc from what I can see

Have you seen better?

22.01.2026 23:27 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

On March 2, we are going to try something different. Something in addition to the regular twice/year FediForum un-conference (so don't worry).

We will run an un-**workshop**, on a topic that many in the community have told us is very pressing for them:

How do we grow the Open Social Web?
1/4

21.01.2026 19:36 👍 10 🔁 11 💬 2 📌 1

I'm happy to say #Techgrumps is listed in the top 30 of UK tech podcasts by a list far too spammy for us to actually mention.

14.01.2026 19:16 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

Dream team 💚🌳🌈

21.01.2026 07:17 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Techgrumps 3.36 - Men are weird: The Return of the Glasshole | Podcast Episode on RSS.com Techgrumps 3.36Mozilla, Firefox and AIhttps://techcrunch.com/2025/12/17/mozillas-new-ceo-says-ai-is-coming-to-firefox-but-will-remain-a-choice/The return of smart glasses and wearableshttps://www.thev...

#Techgrumps 3.36 - Men are weird: The Return of the Glasshole...

rss.com/podcasts/tec...
techgrumps.wordpress.com

With @rnalexander.bsky.social @wendyg.bsky.social @eastmad.bsky.social and myself @cubicgarden.mas.to.ap.brid.gy

With a seriously worrying scenario for UK citizens using X/Twitter

14.01.2026 11:18 👍 1 🔁 3 💬 1 📌 0
Original post on mas.to

Making the familiar strange, a new podcast exploring modern relationships, intimacy, loneliness and love.

https://redcircle.com/shows/95190f06-ba12-47ae-9267-4aaa656f4e93

In an era of hyper connectivity, why does it feel like we've never been further apart?

Soon to be found everywhere you […]

09.01.2026 00:24 👍 0 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Original post on mas.to

Good to hear @Podnews's predications for #2026.

https://pod.link/podnewsweeklyreview/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xODQ3ODIyMA

Even better to hear #adptivepodcasting being mentioned (38:00 - SMIL podcasting) by @samsethi & @james

Maybe too advanced for its time in 2023, but certainly something which […]

12.01.2026 15:02 👍 1 🔁 4 💬 0 📌 0

Good to hear @podnews.net predications for #2026.

pod.link/podnewsweekl...

Even better to hear #adptivepodcasting being mentioned (38:00 - SMIL podcasting) by @samsethi.co.uk

Maybe too advanced for its time in 2023, but certainly something which could be the future path of podcasts in 2026

12.01.2026 15:05 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Elon Musk’s X must be banned Regulators need to stop cowering before the richest man in the world

Every day, thousands of women and children are victimized by people on X using the Grok chatbot to generate scantily clad and naked photos of them.

It’s time for governments to take action. Elon Musk’s X should have been banned long ago. They don’t have an excuse to delay any longer.

08.01.2026 17:26 👍 2127 🔁 663 💬 16 📌 64
New podcast: Making the familiar strange Its been a long time in coming but as most people know I'm fascinated about relationships, loneliness and intimacy space. They are at the heart of much of the things I have been working on. From the impact of loneliness to my own experiences with dating in a book I'm writing. Lets also not forget the manifesto I started.

Making the familiar strange, a new podcast exploring modern relationships, intimacy, loneliness and love.

https://redcircle.com/shows/95190f06-ba12-47ae-9267-4aaa656f4e93

In an era of hyper connectivity, why does it feel like we've never been further apart?

Soon to be found everywhere you find…

09.01.2026 00:25 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Public Service Internet monthly newsletter (Jan 2026) This scientist predicted AI-induced delusions... We live in incredible times with such possibilities that is clear. Although its easily dismissed reading Arduino's new terms of service, reading the awful story of the man behind evil twin wifis on airplanes and please stop using AI browsers. To quote Buckminster Fuller "You never change things by fighting the existing reality.

Public Service Internet monthly newsletter (Jan 2026)

We live in incredible times with such possibilities that is clear. Although its easily dismissed reading Arduino's new terms of service, reading the awful story of the man behind evil twin wifis on airplanes and please stop using AI…

01.01.2026 10:49 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
My new years resolutions for 2026 Following my review of last year… here’s my New Years Resolutions for 2026 which follows on from 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 ones. Work smarter with the business With the new business, I'm getting to grips with the general running of it.

My new years resolutions for 2026

Following the long tradition of blogging my resolutions since 2008!

31.12.2025 13:55 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
TechGrumps 3.3.5: - Bless The TechGrumps (Special holiday special) | Podcast Episode on RSS.com Techgrumps 3.3.5 (Special holiday special)Hannah: is grumpy about marketers using "GEO" or "Generative Engine Optimisation"https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/10/is-retail-ready-for-ai-shaki...

Whats that? Santa has left for the all good people of the world?

Yes!

#Techgrumps 3.3.5 (Special holiday special)

With @eastmad.bsky.social @rnalexander.bsky.social, @andypiper.me and @mskakapo.bsky.social

rss.com/podcasts/tec...

Happy holidays people... Bless The #TechGrumps

Available now!

25.12.2025 17:09 👍 4 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 0
Preview
TechGrumps 3.3.5: - Bless The TechGrumps (Special holiday special) | Podcast Episode on RSS.com Techgrumps 3.3.5 (Special holiday special)Hannah: is grumpy about marketers using "GEO" or "Generative Engine Optimisation"https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/10/is-retail-ready-for-ai-shaki...

I had a lot of fun recording this episode of #techgrumps : rss.com/podcasts/tec... Merry Christmas! 🎄

24.12.2025 20:34 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
TechGrumps 3.3.5: - Bless The TechGrumps (Special holiday special) | Podcast Episode on RSS.com Techgrumps 3.3.5 (Special holiday special)Hannah: is grumpy about marketers using "GEO" or "Generative Engine Optimisation"https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/10/is-retail-ready-for-ai-shaki...

Whats that? Santa has left for the all good people of the world?

Yes!

#Techgrumps 3.3.5 (Special holiday special)

With @eastmad.bsky.social @rnalexander.bsky.social and @mskakapo.bsky.social

rss.com/podcasts/tec...

Happy holidays people... Bless The #TechGrumps

Available now!

24.12.2025 20:53 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
A review of my 2025 resolutions Well I did say in 2024... This year has been full of ups and downs, its a year I’m not going to forget. 2025 likely took on the challenge and hit it out the park. Talking of highs and peaks something big happened in 2025. 2025 was a struggle emotionally and practically while I faced for the first time…

A review of my 2025 resolutions.

What a year of ups, downs and tons of travelling...

22.12.2025 12:21 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Oh no, don't give up!

20.12.2025 09:50 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Techgrumps 3.34 - ChatGPT is not my wingman | Podcast Episode on RSS.com Techgrumps 3.34Local council cyberattackshttps://www.computerweekly.com/news/252526106/Annual-costs-of-Hackney-ransomware-attack-exceed-12mhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y2w43ry5loPlanes patche...

Just released #techgrumps 3.34 - ChatGPT is not my wingman...

rss.com/podcasts/tec...

Staring the voices of @wendyg.bsky.social @eastmad.bsky.social and @cubicgarden.com

11.12.2025 16:31 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Smart rings turns your thoughts into text? I had to share how different the approaches of both Sandbar Stream ($249) and the RePebble's Index 01 ($75) are. Sandbar's stream ring is closed, propriety, beautiful, add day battery and uses AI. RePebble's index 01 ring is open source, funky/fuggy looking, battery which lasts years? and avoids AI For me the Index 01 calls me (although I do worry about the battery as…

Smart rings turns your thoughts into text...but which one is most interesting?

10.12.2025 00:24 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Some news about me and my wonderful partner, Alison I have some news to share and have been sharing it slowly when meeting people since Summer. After 3.5 years of being together, you can guess me and Alison are now engaged! It was Alison who proposed to me, which is a thing as it runs in the family, with her mum and grandma proposing to their partners too.

Some news about me and my wonderful partner Alison

Because Facebook should not have a monopoly on this type of happy news.

07.12.2025 13:58 👍 5 🔁 0 💬 3 📌 0
Public Service Internet monthly newsletter (Dec 2025) We live in incredible times with such possibilities that is clear. Although its easily dismissed seeing the questionable AI courtcase in the UK, Zuck running an illegal school and big tech refusing to talk about election influencing in the Netherlands. To quote Buckminster Fuller "You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.

We live in incredible times with such possibilities that is clear. Although its easily dismissed seeing the questionable AI courtcase in the UK, Zuck running an illegal school and big tech refusing to talk about election influencing in the Netherlands.

To quote Buckminster Fuller "You never change…

01.12.2025 08:06 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0