# Reading Group, Farcaster Town Hall

By [Protocolized](https://paragraph.com/@protocolized) · 2024-05-13

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This week's Town Hall is a Q&A with Varun Srinivasan, cofounder of Farcaster. The topics are technology, architecture, and social networks. Join the [YouTube stream](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW3nOUwIRpY) at **1PM ET, Wednesday, May 15th**. The prereading can be accessed [here](https://forum.summerofprotocols.com/t/varun-srinivasan-technology-architecture/1302).

Ramping up
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Last week marked the [kickoff of SoP24](https://paragraph.xyz/@protocolized/kickoff-week). Researchers met for an hour to talk about their projects and introduce themselves. They also created a bunch of [aphorisms](https://forum.summerofprotocols.com/t/protocol-aphorisms/1291/9) as an icebreaking exercise.

> "Protocols are self-driving project managers." - Willie

> "A game is a protocol that you can admit is fun." - Evan

PIG and POG teams will document their work as they ramp up operations. You'll be able to find ongoing public logs for each project in the [SoP24 Research Category](https://forum.summerofprotocols.com/c/sop24-research/11) on the forum.

The PILL grantees will also be generating lots of content for protocol evangelism over the summer, including memes. Keep an eye out for those.

This is a good time to mention that the [General Category](https://forum.summerofprotocols.com/c/general/4) welcomes shitposting, memes, and half-baked thoughts. Any level of mediocrity gets a free pass with the tag _idle-protocol-musing._

You can watch a replay of the SoP24 Kickoff [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXhuGvtuiRY).

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Reading group
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There will be an online protocol reading group, starting May 23rd, 2024. You can sign up [here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6rFTjjHv9lT2W081gRn59Y21JxEZc-n2quqWY4maqQXAOiw/viewform?usp=sf_link). No prereading commitment and no expertise required!

The first 10-15 minutes of each call is dedicated to reading that week's essay. We'll cover ~10 pieces from SoP23. First call is on **May 23rd at 3PM ET**. I (Timber) will be hosting.

[Sign up for the Reading Group](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6rFTjjHv9lT2W081gRn59Y21JxEZc-n2quqWY4maqQXAOiw/viewform?usp=sf_link)

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Protocols in the news
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Here's what the [protocolwatching community](https://forum.summerofprotocols.com/c/protocol-watch/7) spotted this week:

*   OpenAI released a [public specification of its protocol](https://forum.summerofprotocols.com/t/openai-protocol-for-shaping-model-behavior/1290) for shaping model behavior.
    
*   The [mediating assessments protocol](https://forum.summerofprotocols.com/t/the-mediating-assessments-protocol/1293) of Kahneman, Sibony, and Lovallo resurfaced.
    
*   The Cannes Market introduced a revamped [ticketing protocol](https://forum.summerofprotocols.com/t/cannes-market-introduces-revamped-ticketing-protocol/1299) in anticipation of high demand.
    
*   A [competition](https://forum.summerofprotocols.com/t/neat-protocol-adjacent-project/1304) for the observers of construction sites and protocols.
    

An _umarell_ (plural: _umari_) is a jocular Italian term for a person who pauses to observe work in progress. Umarelling is a close cousin of protocolwatching. If you enjoy observing the acts and artifacts of protocols, we have a guide for you, coming out next week.

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*Originally published on [Protocolized](https://paragraph.com/@protocolized/reading-group%2C-farcaster-town-hall)*