If you remember way back in the ’90s, there was a magazine called Mondo 2000. It was a rowdier and edgier version of Wired. Well, now one of the original editors, Ken Goffman (a.k.a. R. U. Sirius) is back with a project called Mondo 2000: An Open Source History.
Goffman says that it’s a Web project and a book about “all those who touched directly upon the history of the scene/magazine (including the earlier version, High Frontiers and Reality Hackers) will be invited to write – or, in some cases, speak on video or audio – their stories and perceptions.”
It sounds groovy man.
“Additionally,” Goffman said, “small groups of people will be encouraged to get together and record conversations. These will be posted on a private page available only to other participants. Participants will have the opportunity to insert comments into the text or add fresh entries.”
He expects the entire process to take about two years. In the end a collaboratively-edited electronic document will be available on the Web and a more tightly-edited book published. Goffman hopes to create a documentary of the video too.
It’s a look back at the dot-com’s version of Studio 54.
“Mondo 2000’s history is an exhilarating and weird tale of early digital culture, drugs, sex, surrealism, gonzo anthropology, death, digital culture, media hype, conspiracy paranoia, celebrities, transhumanism, irresponsible journalism, appropriation, hackers, pranks, theft, fun and desktop publishing,” Goffman reminisces.
He wants your money. Learn more about the Mondo 2000 project here.
