Good day from the tarmac, visions swirling before takeoff at Sydney Airport.

First, these events deserve emphasis—

Join for S.H.I.T.P.H.O.N.E. 3 today! Then, spend your Sunday tomorrow in community, with collective action workshops and holiday performances! As the month goes on, learn to organize! Take a step towards downgrading! Make a statement in public space!

The possibilities abound in these next two weeks. And with that being the case, can you imagine where we'll be next year?

I see new societal standards being set well beyond Australia. I see us here sharing better norms, building the structures we need to support migrations off bad platforms, to sustain brighter lives offline. To adapt a line in East of Eden that just hit me, I see our center of gravity moving farther off our phones, freeing our minds to explore, to take any directions they wish, undirected, lit up again in glory.

What about you?

With you in this world we're creating—

—Nick

★ ★ ★

More December events

All events free, public, and participatory!

See the full December calendar for additional opportunities.

Sat., Dec 13 | S.H.I.T.P.H.O.N.E. III @ 2 p.m., Fifth Ave. and Central Park South

The gnomes are back! Join for the biggest SHITPHONE yet at the flagship Apple Store, aka the "cube."

Free, public, participatory, cathartic, essential, ecstatic always. Even if it gives us rabies!!!!!!!

Email ppamphlet@proton.me if you'd like to help out ahead of time.

Sun., Dec 14 | Monthly Molting: Goose @ 1 p.m., Propsect Park

​Do you honk loudly about your travel plans too?

The December edition of Monthly Molting highlights the Canada Goose—controversial park resident, formation flyer, seasonal nomad. Come explore the lessons these bold wanderers have for our own lives as we navigate community, territory, and the art of making yourself heard.

In Monthly Moltings, join the Chimeras Collective to shed our human-centered perspectives and investigate the intimate lives of nonhumans in NYC. Each month, we’ll reflect and learn from the wisdom of how one species changes and adapts to change.

RSVP here.

Sun., Dec 14 | REALITY CHECK: Creating a New Normal @ 2 p.m., Hungry Llama

Inspired by last month's SHOULD WE GET OFF? event, organizers from Appstinence and other groups are working on the HOW—how we can sustainable stay off soul-sucking platforms.

"Reality Check: Creating a New Normal" is a 2-hour event inviting all those fed up with how people relate to one another and who are interested in brainstorming ways to bring new social infrastructure to our communities. The event aims to probe which particular 21st century social norms cause ire and how we can look to pre-existing social dynamics to inspire us.

Come ready with a piece of art (literature, music, poetry, painting, etc.) that depicts social engagement in a way that strikes you as different from how we socially engage. The event will conclude with New Year's Resolutions—goals that people will brainstorm and share for implementing the norms that those before us have experienced or thought up.

Email ameliaagorman@gmail.com for a spot!

Sun., Dec 14 | Christmas Presence with August Lamm and Andy Henley @ 7 p.m., T.J. Byrnes

A phone-free variety show hosted by anti-tech activist August Lamm, featuring live music and literary readings. Devices will be placed in envelopes at the door. Come through for a singularly screenless celebration of art and humanity at T.J. Byrne's (77 Fulton St.).

Wed., Dec 17 | BETTER MAN @ 6:30 p.m., Prospect Heights

M.A.G.L.A.R.&O!, or Marginal Alternatives to Guided Learning Analog Ready & Offline is a social experiment where we learn outside of conventional institutions and devices. This month, we will be discussing what it means to "be a better man" in the context of relationships, and performing masculinity. Reading(s) and play activity will be provided.

Location will be announced soon. Email knavehaven@pm.me to stay in the loop.

Thurs., Dec 18 | Design It for Us: Monthly Coalition Call @ 5:30 p.m., online

Design It for Us (DIFU) is a community of young people (26 and under) from around the world fighting to hold Big Tech accountable and improve our digital ecosystems.

Members are encouraged to attend monthly calls to learn more about state and federal tech policy, join campaigns, and directly advocate for legislative change.

Join here.

Thurs., Dec. 18 | Offline Book Club: Mood Machine @ 6:30 p.m., Stavros Library (SNFL) 4th Floor, Room 405

SNFL’s Offline Book Club is a space for in-person conversation about the role technology plays in our world. Each month highlights a different book on the topic of technology’s impact on our individual lives as well as society as a whole, followed by an open discussion to share recent experiences and observations.

This month, we’re focusing on Mood Machine by Liz Pelly (2025) → a book about the costs of streaming on listeners and artists alike.

Space is limited. Walk-ins welcome, but priority will be given to those who register in advance: https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2025/12/18/offline-book-club-mood-machine

Sat., Dec 20 | Test Out Zing @ TBD

Zing is continuing to help people leave their phones at home. Email lior@gozinging.com to stay up to date ahead of the late January launch party.

All of January | MONTH OFFLINE

Month Offline has arrived in Brooklyn!

The first NYC cohort will consist of 5 weekday evenings from 7–9 pm starting in January. For anyone interested in joining they can go to Month Offline and follow the link for Month Offline NYC to sign up for a slot in Jan. The first cohort is filling up fast, but we will return in March so sign up no matter what and we will get you on the list for the next cohort!

Sat., Jan. 3 | New Year's DELETE DAY @ 2 p.m., Fort Greene

Start the new year off right: delete that social media account that you waste all of your time on and you do know better but you can't help it. Let 2026 be your year of digital autonomy and agency!

Hosted by Dan Fox, comedian, artist, and member of the Light Phone team. Email danmaxfox@gmail.com for address.