And Other Stuff (AOS) is a collective of people who build, imagine, organize, and experiment. Together, we create and steward freedom tech—open tools, protocols, and applications that strengthen human liberty. We enhance the Commons, explore the art of the possible, and empower people to build their own futures. Our work flows through three interconnected hubs—the Lab, the Studio, and the Foundry—where ideas move from exploration to real-world impact.
Our name is an homage to the open Nostr protocol, whose acronym stands for Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays. We chose it because so much of the magic of open protocols lives in the "other stuff"—the unexpected ideas, tools, and communities that emerge when technology is open and permissionless. Open systems support more than simple social posts; they enable new forms of connection, collaboration, creativity, and community infrastructure. AOS exists to explore that broader landscape and help bring those possibilities to life.
Human beings cannot thrive without freedom—freedom to speak, connect, assemble, transact, and build. The modern internet concentrates power inside closed platforms and intermediaries that can censor, surveil, and extract. AOS exists to build a different foundation: open, permissionless systems that keep agency with people and communities.
We build tools and systems that help people and communities thrive through open, permissionless technologies—things anyone can use, adapt, and build on—so that freedom and creativity can grow without barriers.
Open systems give communities real control over how they gather, collaborate, and create. By contributing to these ecosystems, we help strengthen the foundation for durable, people-powered technology.
Everything we make—code, research, frameworks, and onboarding pathways—is shared openly. When knowledge and infrastructure are accessible, the entire ecosystem benefits.
Our role is to support, uplift, and walk alongside teams. We help refine ideas, shape products, and explore governance and support models that fit their values and goals.
These are some of the projects the Foundry has helped support and steward, representing the diversity of work happening across the freedom-tech ecosystem.
An open-source AI builder that enables users to create and deploy AI models with ease. Shakespeare provides a user-friendly interface for designing, training, and deploying machine learning applications without requiring extensive programming knowledge.
A platform for creating and sharing short-form looping videos on the Nostr protocol. diVine offers a decentralized approach to video content, allowing users to publish and discover videos without centralized control or censorship.
A secure and private messaging application that emphasizes user privacy and data security. Built on open standards like Nostr and the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol, White Noise ensures end-to-end encryption, identity freedom, and decentralized communication.
A customizable community platform that allows users to create their own branded social media spaces. Flotilla offers features like event calendars, chat rooms, and content curation, all built on the Nostr protocol to ensure data ownership and privacy.
A privacy-preserving digital cash protocol built on Bitcoin. Cashu enables instant, private, and offline-capable payments using ecash tokens, providing a decentralized alternative to traditional payment systems.
A decentralized community platform for creators and their audiences. Chorus enables direct connections between artists and fans, with tools for collaboration, content sharing, and community building built on open protocols.
A decentralized peer-to-peer messaging app that operates over Bluetooth mesh networks. bitchat enables offline communication without internet connectivity, user accounts, or central servers, making it ideal for situations where traditional networks are unavailable.
A messaging protocol for efficient end-to-end encrypted group messaging. Marmot combines the MLS Protocol with Nostr's decentralized network to deliver private group messaging that protects both content and metadata, without requiring phone numbers or email addresses.
AOS advances the freedom-tech ecosystem through three core practices. We strengthen the foundations, demonstrate what’s possible, and equip people with the tools and support to build their own visions.
We create components, bridges, and infrastructure that expand what’s possible with existing protocols.
We build experiments, prototypes, and full applications that show what a free, decentralized internet can look like at both the web and infrastructure layers.
We equip builders, activists, and communities with the tools they need—from AI coding agents to playbooks and governance patterns—to realize their own ideas.
AOS runs on permissionless play—anyone can explore, tinker, and create without waiting for permission. If you're drawn to human freedom, open systems, or building for the Commons, you're one of us. Start small or dive deep: join an existing project, bring a problem to the Lab, or collaborate with the Studio and the Foundry on something entirely your own. You don't need technical expertise—just the spark.
