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The Media Economies Design Lab (MEDLab) at ��ƷSM����ӰƬ has teamed up with Mask Network to launch the Open Social Incubator. This exciting new venture, made possible by a $50,000 gift from Mask Network, will be housed within ��ƷSM����ӰƬ's College of Media, Communication, and Information (CMCI) and aims to nurture the next generation of decentralized social media communities and drive innovation in the online economy.

A Meeting of Minds

At the helm of this initiative is Nathan Schneider, a prominent scholar and passionate advocate for economic justice in the digital realm. Schneider's work at MEDLab focuses on democratic ownership and governance in the online economy. He co-led a 2017 effort to pass a shareholder proposal at Twitter that would change the company’s ownership structure, and subsequently co-founded Social.coop, a democratic community on Mastodon, a popular open social media platform. Since Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, interest in alternative social networks has continued to grow. Now, with Mask Network's support, Schneider and MEDLab are ready to embrace a deeper focus on open social media.

"I'm looking forward to what this gift will enable us to do," Schneider said. "We'll be supporting new online communities, exploring new social media possibilities and cultivating international collaborations."

Enter Mask Network

Mask Network, the force behind this collaboration, is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of what's possible online. Its browser extension allows users to experience the benefits of Web 3.0—secure messaging, decentralized payment networks and true data ownership—within the familiarity of mainstream social media platforms.

, the non-profit arm of Mask Network, has made a significant donation to bring the Open Social Incubator to life. Established in 2023, the Academy has been making waves by funding Web3 research and storytelling at top universities and journalism programs worldwide. The gift to MEDLab was made in an unusual way—through a transfer of Mask Network’s own digital token, $MASK.

"It will take a journey to achieve the free and open internet,” said Suji Yan, founder of Mask Network and the Academy. “Decentralized social networks play a vital role in the process. We are excited to back like-minded scholars and institutions to build a bright future together."

The Open Social Incubator��

By bringing together researchers, developers and innovators, the incubator aims to create and scale decentralized social media solutions that put users in control of their online experiences. Combining Mask Network Academy's expertise in decentralized applications with MEDLab’s research and design capabilities, this collaboration aims to build a more democratic, equitable, and resilient digital future.

This partnership represents a shared commitment to advancing the ownership economy, where individuals have control over their data, attention, and digital contributions. It's a bold step toward reclaiming our digital lives from centralized platforms and building online spaces that prioritize user autonomy and community governance.

Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a social scientist, or simply someone who believes in a fairer digital world, MEDLab and Mask Network invite you to join this journey toward a more empowering online future. For updates,��subscribe to MEDLab’s newsletter.