❓ Meta-Layer FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

🌐 Understanding the Meta-Layer

1. What is the Meta-Layer in simple terms?
A programmable space that runs above websites—where people can appear, interact, annotate, and govern together. Think of it as a layer of shared presence and meaning that complements the web.

2. How is a Meta-Layer different from the existing web?
The current web is siloed by platforms. The Meta-Layer lives above it, enabling coordinated activity, trust, and dialogue across sites—without being locked into one domain.

3. How does the Meta-Layer relate to the Metaweb and Overweb?
The Metaweb is the big vision. Meta-Layers are the environments that live inside it. The Overweb is the first full implementation of a Meta-Layer.

4. Is the Meta-Layer a protocol, a platform, or something else?
It’s not a platform. It’s a public coordination layer made of composable rules, overlays, and apps—designed to be forkable, inspectable, and community-governed.

5. Can anyone build or participate in a Meta-Layer?
Yes. Developers, artists, thinkers, communities—anyone can build or contribute to it.

🧠 Concepts and Features

6. What are Smart Tags and how do they work?
Smart Tags are structured annotations like “claim,” “note,” or “challenge” that attach meaning to content. They're filterable, composable, and support rich semantic overlays.

7. What is presence and how is it different from being “online”?
In the Meta-Layer, presence is an intentional declaration—“I’m here, under these rules, as this persona.” It’s active, contextual, and accountable.

8. What’s a meta-community?
Persistent groups that operate across pages or domains with shared logic, trust rules, and context—kind of like public DAOs or semantic guilds.

9. What is an overlay?
A programmable layer that renders above content and displays tags, presence, and interactions. Think browser extension or embedded widget, but fully governed and composable.

10. How are AI agents governed in this system?
Agents must run in community-defined zones, follow visible rules, and log their behavior transparently. Their powers are scoped and their actions are auditable.

✍️ Contributing & Participating

11. I have an idea. How do I contribute to the initiative?
Head to the Contribute page. You can write your idea directly—or use Bridgit, our AI assistant, to help you craft a submission in minutes.

12. Do I need technical expertise to contribute?
Nope! If you can describe a problem or dream of a better system, your input is welcome.

13. What is the AI assistant Bridgit and how does it help?
Bridgit turns your idea or uploaded documents into a well-structured submission mapped to relevant Desirable Properties. It’s fast, smart, and fun.

14. Can I submit work that’s not my own (i.e., curated)?
Yes. You can uplift other important work or visions and add your framing. Curators are contributors too.

15. What happens to my contribution once it’s submitted?
It becomes part of the permanent cultural archive of the Overweb—anchored to Bitcoin and credited to your wallet.

16. How can I make sure the application substrate supports my project?
Use Bridgit (or NotebookLM) to analyze your project or writing. It will identify which Desirable Properties should be supported to bring your vision to life.

17. Can I upload my project files or just drop a link?
Yes! You can upload documents, paste a link, or just describe your project—Bridgit will do the rest.

🔒 Trust, Privacy & Governance

18. How does the Meta-Layer protect data sovereignty?
You decide what data is shared, when you're visible, and how your identity operates. The infrastructure is designed for privacy and consent.

19. Who governs the Meta-Layer?
Governance happens through overlays and modular rule systems. You can fork, remix, and choose what you trust.

20. What are the Desirable Properties?
They are 20+ community-generated principles that guide how the Meta-Layer should be built: open, human-centered, sovereign, modular, etc.

21. How is AI kept accountable in this system?
AI is governed, visible, and logged. It operates only inside transparent frameworks—and can be challenged or revoked.

22. What does transparency mean in this context?
All moderation logic, tag filters, and AI behaviors are visible and auditable. No dark patterns, no silent manipulations.

⚙️ Technology & Infrastructure

23. What is an application substrate?
A runtime environment for overlays and agents—providing APIs for identity, tagging, presence, and rule modules. It’s the foundation developers build on.

24. How does this run above existing websites?
Through browser extensions or embeddable overlays. It layers over the web—no need to replace or control it.

25. What is the Presence Browser?
It’s a browser extension and embeddable app that lets you see others, chat, annotate, and interact above a webpage in real-time.

26. How is the Overweb inscribed on Bitcoin?
Using BRC-333 inscriptions—your contributions are stored as digital artifacts permanently on the Bitcoin blockchain.

27. What are BRC-333 inscriptions?
HTML, Markdown, or text files embedded into Bitcoin. These link to a Satplication and become immutable contributions or badges.

🛠️ Engagement & Recognition

28. What’s the fastest way to get started?
Try Bridgit. Share an idea or upload a doc—it’ll guide you to a finished submission in under 60 seconds.

29. Can I earn recognition or rewards for contributing?
Yes! You’ll get a BRC-333 digital badge, appear on the Metaweb Wall, and may be eligible for micro-credentials and tokens.

30. What’s the Life Above the Web creative challenge?
It’s a call for original works titled “[Your Idea] Above the Web.” Create art, music, memes, essays—or anything—and submit for a badge.

31. How can organizations or ISOC chapters get involved?
Nominate a “Cat Herder” to spread the call within your community. Help others contribute and get your chapter recognized.

32. What’s next for the Meta-Layer Initiative?
More tools, a public application substrate, smart tagging APIs, and shared governance frameworks. You’re still early.

💬 Still Have a Question?

👉 Didn’t find your answer above?

Send us your question and we’ll get back to you—and possibly add it to this page!

Prefer to talk it out?

🎭 Try Sir John Falstaff — our semi-reliable, thoroughly entertaining emissary of the Meta-Layer.
Talk to Falstaff →

🤖 Or consult Bridgit — our fully reliable (and only moderately charming) AI assistant ready to help you craft your submission.
Talk to Bridgit →