In this episode of Governance Futures, hosts Jamilya and Eugene speak with Amber Case (Cyborg Anthropologist), technologist, author, and founder of the Calm Technology Institute. Case explores how humans and technology co-evolve — a field she helped pioneer as one of the world’s leading voices in cyborg anthropology. The conversation dives into lessons from Case’s DAO Game, a simulation designed to help communities stress-test governance systems before launching. Drawing from Case's work on Calm Technology, Case explains why governance must account for human limits, how inclusive design mirrors ancient rituals, and why “design is governance.” The episode explores patterns in community behavior — from country clubs to DAOs — revealing that while tools change, human coordination remains timeless. Case closes with reflections on AI, collective learning, and why the future of governance might just look a lot like the past. Some of the materials we mention in the episode: - An Illustrated Dictionary of Cyborg Anthropology (PDF) - https://caseorganic.gumroad.com/l/anthropdf Design is governance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clxm5qW3pao&t=1s Calm Governance - https://www.calmtech.institute/ - Design is governance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clxm5qW3pao&t=1s- Calm Governance - https://www.calmtech.institute/   Timestamps: 00:00 – Cold Start 00:56 – Introduction: Jamilya and Eugene reflect on their conversation with Amber Case 02:23 – First impressions: cyborg anthropology and governance 04:15 – What is cyborg anthropology? Humans, tech, and adaptation 06:14 – The birth of wikis and the evolution of online collaboration 08:38 – Wiki culture, editing systems, and governance through software 11:06 – Invisible governance: how online communities self-organize 13:32 – Digital identity, hyper-sigils, and the self in online life 15:11 – Simulating governance: why Case built the DAO Game 17:34 – How DAO Game helps players experience governance dynamics 19:12 – Why every DAO should test its governance as a game 20:13 – Governance as a marathon: lessons from boardrooms to DAOs 22:41 – What really happens behind the scenes of board governance 25:02 – Rituals, trust, and the hidden rules of community participation 27:24 – Old wisdom in new systems: lessons from Ostrom and co-ops 29:49 – Origins of “DAO” and the automation of home systems 31:58 – Are DAOs just repeating human governance patterns? 33:55 – Design is governance: how architecture shapes participation 36:21 – Inclusive vs. exclusive design and the myth of openness 38:45 – Entropy, ecosystems, and why good governance reduces chaos 41:02 – Boundaries, belonging, and the emotional work of inclusion 42:55 – How to handle community tensions and exclusivity 44:54 – Measuring vibes: Case’s 60-point community scoring system 48:21 – Reducing entropy through shared rituals and space design 50:44 – Training community members and fostering stewardship 53:07 – Recognizing creativity, humility, and contribution 55:34 – Legos, learning, and what makes great collaborators 57:18 – The social awareness matrix: identifying healthy dynamics 59:36 – Group design, collaboration, and cultural literacy 01:02:26 – The politics of cleanliness, care, and invisible labor 01:05:39 – The Phoenix Project: bottlenecks, burnout, and learning loops 01:08:49 – Calm Technology and AI: using minimal tech for maximum care 01:10:56 – Why messy spaces produce creativity and innovation 01:13:14 – Final reflections and the rapid-fire governance quiz 01:14:18 – One-word quiz: Constraint, History, Sobriety, Past 01:15:30 – Closing thoughts and outro