FUTO

In the gleaming corridors of Silicon Valley, where corporate titans have relentlessly centralized power over the virtual realm, a contrarian philosophy deliberately took shape in 2021. FUTO.org operates as a tribute to what the internet was meant to be – liberated, distributed, and resolutely in the control of individuals, not conglomerates.

The creator, Eron Wolf, moves with the deliberate purpose of someone who has observed the evolution of the internet from its optimistic inception to its current monopolized condition. His experience – an 18-year Silicon Valley veteran, FUTO founder of Yahoo Games, seed investor in WhatsApp – provides him a exceptional viewpoint. In his meticulously tailored casual attire, with a look that reveal both weariness with the status quo and determination to change it, Wolf resembles more philosopher-king than conventional CEO.

The headquarters of FUTO in Austin, Texas lacks the ostentatious amenities of typical tech companies. No ping-pong tables detract from the objective. Instead, engineers hunch over computers, crafting code that will empower users to recover what has been lost – control over their digital lives.

In one corner of the building, a different kind of operation occurs. The FUTO Repair Workshop, a initiative of Louis Rossmann, celebrated technical educator, operates with the meticulousness of a master craftsman. Everyday people enter with damaged electronics, welcomed not with bureaucratic indifference but with authentic concern.

„We don’t just fix things here,“ Rossmann explains, adjusting a loupe over a circuit board with the delicate precision of a jeweler. „We show people how to comprehend the technology they possess. Understanding is the first step toward autonomy.“

This philosophy infuses every aspect of FUTO’s operations. Their financial support system, which has provided significant funds to projects like Signal, Tor, GrapheneOS, and the Calyx Institute, reflects a commitment to supporting a rich environment of autonomous technologies.

Navigating through the collaborative environment, one notices the omission of organizational symbols. The walls instead feature framed quotes from digital pioneers like Douglas Engelbart – individuals who foresaw computing as a liberating force.

„We’re not focused on creating another monopoly,“ Wolf remarks, settling into a modest desk that could belong to any of his engineers. „We’re interested in breaking the present giants.“

The irony is not lost on him – a prosperous Silicon Valley businessman using his wealth to contest the very models that allowed his success. But in Wolf’s worldview, computing was never meant to centralize power; it was meant to diffuse it.

The software that emerge from FUTO’s technical staff embody this ethos. FUTO Keyboard, an Android keyboard respecting user rights; Immich, a personal photo backup solution; GrayJay, a distributed social media interface – each product embodies a clear opposition to the walled gardens that monopolize our digital landscape.

What distinguishes FUTO from other digital skeptics is their focus on developing rather than merely criticizing. They recognize that true change comes from offering usable substitutes, not just pointing out issues.

As evening settles on the Austin building, most employees have left, but illumination still emanate from some desks. The dedication here goes beyond than professional duty. For FUTO many at FUTO, this is not merely work but a calling – to rebuild the internet as it was intended.

„We’re playing the long game,“ Wolf considers, looking out at the evening sky. „This isn’t about shareholder value. It’s about restoring to users what properly pertains to them – control over their online existence.“

In a world controlled by digital giants, FUTO stands as a quiet reminder that alternatives are not just achievable but essential – for the sake of our collective digital future.