​Technology is deeply woven into our culture. However too often, the public conversation of tech focuses on either unrestrained hype or outright cynicism—celebrating ambition at any cost or rejecting progress through tech outright.

​Yet many of us are quietly building something more hopeful: a future for tech that is optimistic and responsible. We work towards building a world where businesses can succeed while growing social value, where people build creative tools that put the environment first and ambition second, where organisations explore caring ways of connecting people with computational power. In the tumult of deepening fear and heedless excitement around technology, it is important to make space for conversations that connect the people and organisations that are focused on using technology for social good. These practitioners make up an integral part of the larger tapestry of technologists.

​That is why we are hosting Fabric: a self-organised gathering for practitioners who use technology to uplift individuals and society.

​Our goal is to create an energizing, participatory space where diverse perspectives on technology can flourish—sparking connections that lead to more equitable, sustainable, and joyful futures.

​In order to make this an event that truly reflects the perspectives of everyone participating, the format will be an unconference.

​Schedule

​Friday 6pm–9pm

​The planning: where we all bring the topics and session ideas that we think are important, then go through a simple process to bring them together to collectively create a schedule. This is arguably the most important moment in an unconference! Everyone is encouraged to bring an idea for a session, or even just a topic suggestion.

​Delicious snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, and some light facilitation will be provided. No awkward ice-breakers, we promise!

​Saturday 10am–5pm

​The sessions: where we each choose which sessions we are most interested to participate in, and go to them. Most sessions will be small break-out groups with an emphasis on interaction and discussion, while some could be larger presentations. Sessions can be structured around all sorts of things such as games, learning something technical, sharing a mindful quiet space, discussing an opinion-piece, or interacting hands-on with a new technology.

​All-day coffee, tea, drinks & snacks plus a catered lunch will be provided.

​The aftermath: where we regroup to share some emerging themes and stand-out ideas, then decide what we'd like to do in the future to continue the conversation.

​Organisers

​With is a co-design studio for socially-centered futures. We shape progressive ideas into transformative products, services, and brands.

​1RG is a container for experiments in reimagining the relationship between technology and our communities. If you want to support the work that we do, consider becoming a Friend of 1RG.

​We would also like to thank the friends and colleagues who are helping behind-the-scenes, and a special shout-out to Re-Work for supporting the event.

​FAQ

​Do I have to come for both days?

• ​Yes! Friday evening is the planning for the whole event, and it’s also where we’ll get to know each other in the process. If you miss this, the rest of the unconference will be far less valuable for you, and your participation will be less valuable for everyone else too. If you miss the Saturday, that’s when the actual sessions take place, so there wouldn’t be much point in coming just on Friday. The magic of an unconference is in both the planning and the sessions themselves; either on its own is incomplete. So we do ask you to commit to coming to both days, barring of course illness and so on.

​How do I prepare?

• ​You can just show up on the day! But if you want to prepare a little in advance, think about what sort of topics you want to see at the event. We'll be sharing more information about this as we get closer to the date.

​What’s the ticket price paying for?

• ​The ticket price is supporting the out-of-pocket costs of running this event: good food, drinks & coffee & tea & snacks, documenting the event, equipment for the sessions, stationery. If there are any nett proceeds from the event, we’ll be putting that back into the community in some way through the event itself.

​What does self-organising actually mean?

• ​The organisers of this event will be setting up the structure of the event, and of course choosing what people and communities to invite to participate. But the content of the sessions will be based on what the participants bring on the day. That way, we know we’ll have an event that represents the questions and issues that are truly important to this community, which is the best way of making sure we have the conversations that matter most and make connections that will last.