Announcing the Hard Reset Awards: Submit your nominations now
Recognizing the companies and individuals using technology for a better world
The original promise of the technological revolution was a better future for all. But Silicon Valley has led us to a place where power and money are concentrating for their own sake. There are still those out there using technology in trying to create a more just world, even if they don’t get as much attention.
We want to recognize and honor those companies and individuals with the first-ever Hard Reset Awards. And we want you to help us figure out who the winners should be.
Submit your nominations now by commenting below or by sending us a message via the chat, with a few words on why your choice deserves to win. Nominations will be closed October 17 and voting for the winners will open October 28.
The five awards categories are:
Tech companies or individuals fighting for a system that is more racially, environmentally, or economically just
Tech companies or individuals supporting human rights in the face of resistance
Companies or organizations maintaining healthy information ecosystem and strengthening democracy
Those addressing city or neighborhood issues in ways that support community, grassroots activism, or public participation in governance
Leadership and courage: an award for tech employees, executives and founders who have shown fearlessness in challenging power structures
We started Hard Reset in February without knowing how it would be received. We’ve been so grateful to everyone who’s subscribed and all the comments and feedback. We’re also perhaps a little surprised about how much interest there’s been and the traction at this early stage.
At a moment when billionaires and tech titans gather more power than ever, there’s a whole world of people out there willing and hoping for a better alternative. We want Hard Reset to be the publication for those people.
Thank you for being a part of Hard Reset!
I want to nominate Eye On Surveillance (@eos_nola) for leading community efforts to form a coalition opposing live facial recognition in New Orleans. This ordinance, if approved, would have led to New Orleans becoming the first city with citywide biometric live facial recognition, a technology that has consistently been found to misidentify people of color, leading to their criminalization. Thanks to the community organizing of EOS and other partner coalitions, the ordinance was withdrawn! EOS conducted extensive community outreach, political education, and meetings with council members, among other initiatives, to foster the community's understanding of the harms of facial recognition and the fact that surveillance isn't safety!