Generational Change
The world is constantly in a state of change. The nature of activism has been transformed by the internet—a single social media post can bring millions of people into the streets.
The term "Cypherpunk" was coined 30 years ago by Jude Milhon. It means taking an active role within a connected world. It is the empowerment that comes with privacy, solidarity, and cryptography.
Back then, the internet was in its infancy. To say that It has changed over 30 years is a gross understatement. — mobile phones, TikTok, online gaming, blockchain, and LLMs have redefined our world, with the human-as-a-product at the center.
This hyper-connectedness requires a fresh & new approach to cypherpunk—one that is culturally relevant for 2025.
Welcome... Neo-Cypherpunk — one who actively uses & advocates for digital tools with baked-in cryptography as a base for just internet.
Neo-Cypherpunk movement welcomes newcomers from every corner of the world, young & mature, non-technical & technical to celebrate human agency on the Internet.
Starting Point: One Tool is Enough
We live in a world surrounded by online critics. They add stress to the use of liberation technologies. Especially against a backdrop of media focused on negative news and social media battles.
The time has come to reclaim our right to joy.
You don't have Linux or the Tor Browser? No problem. Start small - try a private browser like Brave or a Google alternative search engine - StartPage, DuckDuckGo...
Useful resource - software & hardware recommendations by experts: https://stacks.web3privacy.info
Neo-Cypherpunk can start with an AdBlocker — a simple tool for the mindful care of your attention, a way to disconnect from the advertising-driven internet.
This new movement doesn’t discriminate by technology — it embraces all levels of neo-cypherpunk maturity, from curious newcomers to seasoned practitioners.
Its goal is to counter toxic criticism and foster connection through care and mutual support.
Mykola Siusko "Make Ethereum Cypherpunk - one transactions at a time" https://mirror.xyz/0x0f1F3DAf416B74DB3DE55Eb4D7513a80F4841073/u4ELDt0YkpCe272kD2f5kTThJsILg1pgaOeBsTSGV0I
The joy of neo-cypherpunk comes from creating a strong, thriving and healthy community together.
Neo is a Celebratory Culture
Privacy communities are often filled with gloom and doom communication. They frequently mention Orwell, mass surveillance, and North Korean hackers. Such spaces promote fear and a lack of control over the situation ("I am so small, and Big Brother is all-powerful").
Neo-cypherpunk strives to create a favorable environment of practical opportunities, interesting people, active mutual support, and mindfulness.
We believe that the "doomer" mindset is a narrow & limited view of the liberatory internet. On the contrary, neo-Cypherpunk places joy at the center of the movement—now you control the internet, not the other way around.
Diversity makes neo playful
The overwhelming majority of the first wave of Cypherpunks were American men with privileged access to technology. Neo-Cypherpunk is open to the world in its beautiful diversity.
We want to see Neo-Cypherpunks from Hong Kong, Kyiv, and Bogota, to Addis Ababa & Buenos Aires.
We want to see 15 yo Neo-Cypherpunks next to 70 yo.
We want to see all gender inclusive into Neo-Cypherpunk movement.
Ying Tong @ Web3Privacy Berlin meetup: https://x.com/web3privacy/status/1805874733168165249
Jaromil Rojo @ Web3Privacy summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bl2C11iLFA
Limitations is a tool of control. Being open-minded - freedom.
Silviculture society is an example of diversity within Neo-cypherpunk narrative.
https://ethereum.foundation/silviculture-society
Anyone, yes anyone can become a Neo-Cypherpunk - artist, cleaner, poet, delivery person, migrant, developer, musician, you.
2025: Memes matter
Memetic storytelling has incredible power. It unites thousands of people, moves across the oceans and continents in a second, migrates from digital to physical form, stays in history.
Neo-Cypherpunk movement craves on memes. Digital creativity is at the heart of positive change. Plus humour is a powerful tool against contemporary challenges.
Look closely at privacy & freedom-focused memes. They shouldn't be depressive & "surveillance gloomsday". Neo-Cypherpunk encourages everyone to develop a new positive language of digital storytelling - playful, fun, open and striking.
Internet empowerment can absolutely start from a meme...
Solidarity at the Heart of Neo-Cypherpunk Movement
Have you realised that internet is so complex phenomenon?! Full of thousands of actors from internet providers to cloud infrastructure companies. Imagine an individual trying to navigate this complex maze.
And now imagine a collective helping each other start week with a new tips & tricks how to enjoy free internet, fix compelling issues, educate newcomers, share memes & build a stunning visual culture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvhM4fxfZkk&t=288s
Together isn't an empty word, but solidarity with thousands of others who want change. They speak different language, have different beliefs, comes from radically opposite cultures that can be united within a Neo-Cypherpunk movement.
Zero-knowledge cryptography was embodied in Zcash that inspired zero-knowledge revolution in Ethereum & beyond. Cryptography is a network of complex & beautiful relationships that evolve in time.
From Collective to Neo-Cypherpunk Orgs
Neo-Cypherpunk approach imagines organisations applying it's values. Towards more ethical, open, & humanistic world.
The main difference that these organisations aren't based on extractivist & exploitative, but serve broader public interests. They can be profitable, but because of the just internet contribution.
Nym can be seen as a prototype of a neo-cypherpunk organisation full of activists from Harry Halpin to Chelsea Manning.
Neo-Cypherpunk organisations amplify
- just internet imaginaries
- privacy as a human right
- ethical relations to empoyees, contractors & partners
- serve public-first & only then other stakeholders
Yes, it's hard for organisations to turn neo-cypherpunks overnight. That's why it can be an evolutionary process from "zero to hero". Following, for example, DefiPunk criteria (below).
DefiPunk course https://academy.web3privacy.info/p/defi-punk-101-finance-with-cypherpunk-values
Lefteris Karapetsas at Web3 Summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWfMOY9_ucY&t=1s
Imagine brave new world
We live in a world where too many people, organisations & governments wants to limit our imagination. Usually they drag us into a glorious past that doesn't exist anymore. And don't propose a compelling vision of the future.
Neo-cypherpunks are open-minded towards all possible forms & shapes of liberation storytelling. They go beyond conservative worldview ("one tool fixes all problems", "everyone has money to buy a cool phone", "all people have unlimited internet", "The USA is center of the world").
We embrace different types of "Cypherpunks": SapphirePunk, Post-cypherpunk, Care-punks, you name it!
Contributing to positive-sum internet game? Choose multiplayer mode & press a play button.
Neo-Cypherpunk time starts now.
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