# Networked agency A concept from [[Ton]]: https://www.zylstra.org/blog/networked-agency/ > I am convinced that embracing distributed technology and distributed methods and processes allows for an enormous increase in agency. A slightly different agency though: networked agency. > > – [On Agency pt. 2: The Elements of Networked Agency – Interdependent Thoughts](https://www.zylstra.org/blog/2016/08/on-agency-pt-2/) Agency is a form of empowerment. > creating agency is the primary radical political standpoint one can take. > > – [On Agency pt. 2: The Elements of Networked Agency – Interdependent Thoughts](https://www.zylstra.org/blog/2016/08/on-agency-pt-2/) > In our digital, globally networked and hence more complex age, we need a qualitatively different approach to [[agency]]. > > - [Networked Agency – Interdependent Thoughts](https://www.zylstra.org/blog/networked-agency/) > This makes an individual _including its meaningful relations to others_, in a _specific and real life context_ the relevant unit of agency. > This is networked agency. > > - [Networked Agency – Interdependent Thoughts](https://www.zylstra.org/blog/networked-agency/) ^ definitely sounds pretty similar to [[assemblage thinking]] and [[actor-network theory]]. Agency is defined in relation to others, and in a context. What I like about Ton's approach is that it's very practical. Ton is rooted in things happening in the real (and technological) world, it's not just theoretical. ### Core concepts #### striking power > The ability to (collectively) act and create on your own accord. This is where low-threshold tools are important, as is knowledge of working methods and processes. > > - [Networked Agency – Interdependent Thoughts](https://www.zylstra.org/blog/networked-agency/) #### resilience > The ability to shield oneself against and mitigate negative consequences of other’s behaviour propagating through the network to you. > > - [Networked Agency – Interdependent Thoughts](https://www.zylstra.org/blog/networked-agency/) #### agility > The ability to leverage, adapt and respond to opportunities from other’s behaviour propagating through the network to you. > > - [Networked Agency – Interdependent Thoughts](https://www.zylstra.org/blog/networked-agency/) > Reducing adoption thresholds of truly distributed technology and peer to peer methods allows an increase in agency. > > – [On Agency Pt 1.: Embracing Distributedness to Increase Agency – Interdependen…](https://www.zylstra.org/blog/2016/03/on-agency-pt-1/) ## Twin pages - [Networked Agency – Interdependent Thoughts](https://www.zylstra.org/blog/networked-agency/)