An Invitation to the Jamverse

I have recently begun contributing to a collaborative science-fiction project I'm helping to launch: the Jamverse, an extended protocol fiction universe. I am writing this to encourage other fiction writers to join the fray.

What is the Jamverse?

The project takes its name from a philosophy championed by Fred Pohl:

The primary responsibility of a science-fiction author is not to predict the automobile, but rather the traffic jam.

In essence, the Jamverse is a near-future version of Earth characterized by bizarre—though strictly non-magical—rules and protocols. To put it in a mathematical sense, the world-building logic follows: $\text{Future Setting} = \text{Near-Future Earth} + \text{Strange Protocols} - \text{Magic}$

Current State of the Universe

The project is currently in its "pump-priming" phase, meaning it is too late the perfect time to get involved. Because it is still in the early stages, creators can introduce bold, expansive ideas without worrying about contradicting established canon.

Current Statistics:

• 15 completed short stories.
• 4 loosely connected story cycles.
• 4 primary authors.
• ~6 contributors providing world-building elements.

Get Involved: The Contest

There is currently an active competition for worldbuilding artifacts. If you have a few hours to spare this week, I highly recommend exploring the setting and submitting an entry.

• Review the Jamverse Codex
• Read key establishing stories
• Submit worldbuilding artifact by July 31

My Contributions

To warm up, I wrote two microfictions. While they are stand-alone pieces, they are much more impactful if you have a grasp of the wider universe. Note that these were not entered as contest competitors.

1. Ziploc Protocol: This piece examines the smuggling of jailbreaking tech into Zoothesia, a jurisdiction defined by heavy protocolization, in an attempt to undermine those very rules.
2. The Thicket: A "vibe-y" vignette introducing a tiling element for the world's background. Inspired by the work of Aneesh Sathe, this represents the evolution of today's exurban hinterlands.

If the Ziploc Protocol were a piece of code, it might look like this:

def subvert_protocol(jurisdiction):
    if jurisdiction == "Zoothesia":
        deploy_jailbreak(tool="Ziploc")
        return "Protocol Subverted"
    return "Standard Operation"

Orientation for Newcomers

The Jamverse is rich with evocative concepts: surreal folklore, weird public service models, augmented reality civic protocols, and a train that spans half the globe.

For those looking to jump in, I suggest reviewing the AI-generated orientation and the worldbuilding codex. If you are entering the contest, I recommend reading these foundational stories first:

I look forward to spending much more time developing this universe.