What does the commons mean to you?

by Molly Van Houweling
The serendipity and delight of connecting with fellow humans across time and space through acts of creativity and sharing.

by Vito Quaglia
To me, the commons means democracy. The commons nurtures the sharing of ideas, solutions, and creativity. It allows for information to be accessed by anyone and everyone. At its core, the commons is nondiscriminatory; it ensures that knowledge, art, and culture are enjoyed by an ecosystem that doesn’t depend on location, social capital, or economic status. Its main features are cooperation and cohabitation. At the current moment, the commons is vulnerable to rapid changes to its ecosystem. It is more important than ever that the commons foster the sharing of solutions that will ultimately save itself.

by Jocelyn Miyara
The commons is a collective and collaborative space where knowledge can be shared openly & freely. In today’s internet age, it is an important counterbalance to the increasingly commercial and controlled spaces in which information is shared. Open sharing is an antidote to that.

by Shanna Hollich
What does the commons mean to you?
(a haiku)
Walled gardens? No way!
Spring light through the open gate.
How? CC license!

What’s next? A few more Commons Stories, then over to you!

Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll share longer reflections on tending the commons, challenging the forces that constrain it, and building relationships that help it thrive.

Then we’ll turn from reflection to imagination with “I’m dreaming of an open future …”, a new invitation for you to share your own hopes for what comes next.

Posted 27 October 2026

Tags

• CC25
• commons
• Haiku
• open access
• open sharing
• Reflections