Gareth Branwyn, American journalist and critic

Gareth Branwyn: A Visionary Voice in Technology and Culture

Gareth Branwyn, born Kevin Maloof on January 21, 1958, is a distinguished American writer, editor, and insightful media critic. He is widely recognized for his profound contributions to the discourse surrounding technology, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) media, and cyberculture. Adopting his well-known pseudonym early in his career, Branwyn became an influential commentator, charting the evolving landscape of digital life and its cultural ramifications.

A Pioneer in Digital Media and Cyberculture

Branwyn's extensive career is marked by his influential coverage across a spectrum of prominent publications. He lent his discerning eye and analytical prowess to leading outlets such as:

• Wired: A seminal magazine that chronicled the digital revolution, where Branwyn contributed significantly to shaping the early understanding of the internet's impact.
• Esquire: Demonstrating his versatility, he also wrote for this renowned men's magazine, bridging mainstream readership with burgeoning tech trends.
• The Baltimore Sun: His contributions to a major metropolitan newspaper further expanded the reach of discussions around technology and its societal implications.
• And numerous other publications, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and authoritative voice.

Beyond his prolific writing, Branwyn held pivotal editorial roles at foundational institutions within cyberculture:

• Mondo 2000: As an editor at this iconic counterculture magazine, often considered a precursor to Wired, Branwyn was at the forefront of exploring cyberpunk, psychedelic culture, and emerging digital frontiers.
• Boing Boing (print zine): He served as an editor during its formative years as a print zine, a crucial platform for alternative culture and technology. His dedicated column, "Going Gaga," allowed him to delve into niche topics, resonating with an engaged readership long before Boing Boing transitioned into its highly popular blog format.

Demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to the DIY ethos, Branwyn founded the personal technology website, Street Tech. There, he playfully adopted the title "Cyborg-in-Chief," reflecting his fascination with the intersection of humanity and technology and his hands-on approach to exploring new media.

His leadership continued as the former Editorial Director for MAKE Magazine, a cornerstone of the burgeoning maker movement. In this role, he was instrumental in overseeing all content, guiding the publication's mission to inspire innovation, creativity, and the practical application of technology.

Literary Works and Collaborative Projects

In April 2013, Gareth Branwyn transitioned back to freelance writing to embark on his highly anticipated "lazy memoir," titled Borg Like Me. This aptly named book, a playful nod to his "Cyborg-in-Chief" persona and the iconic Star Trek Borg, offered a unique, often anecdotal, and less formal reflection on his life and career amidst the rise of cyberculture. The project itself embodied the DIY spirit he champions, as it was successfully crowdfunded via Kickstarter, allowing him to directly engage with his audience and secure independent funding. Borg Like Me was self-published through Branwyn's own imprint, Sparks of Fire Press, and officially released on September 2, 2014.

Further cementing his ties to literary and cultural commentary, Branwyn joined a distinguished collective in April 2014 as a regular contributor to Wink Books. This daily review site, curated by influential figures like Kevin Kelly, Mark Frauenfelder (with whom Branwyn shares a long history, particularly from their Boing Boing days), and Carla Sinclair, focuses on "remarkable books that belong on paper"—a testament to the enduring value of physical media in a digital age.

Branwyn's bibliography is diverse, reflecting his wide-ranging interests and foresight:

• Co-editor of The Happy Mutant Handbook: This book, often associated with the counter-cultural themes of Mondo 2000, served as a guide to navigating the evolving digital landscape with a subversive and creative spirit.
• Jargon Watch: A Pocket Dictionary for the Jitterati: Published in 1993, this essential guide captured and defined the nascent slang and technical terms of the early internet and cyberculture, making the language of the "Jitterati" (the tech-savvy early adopters) accessible to a wider audience.
• Jamming the Media: A work that likely explored methods of media manipulation, alternative media creation, and leveraging new technologies for expressive and often disruptive purposes.
• The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Building Robots: This practical guide connected his theoretical interests in technology with the burgeoning hands-on maker movement, empowering readers to engage directly with robotics.
• Mosaic Quick Tour: Accessing and Navigating the World Wide Web: Significantly, this was one of the very first comprehensive books ever written about the World Wide Web. Published at a time when the internet was still a niche phenomenon, it provided crucial guidance for a new generation of users on how to access and navigate online information using the pioneering Mosaic web browser, highlighting Branwyn's early engagement and foresight regarding the internet's potential.

In a notable collaboration that underscored his deep involvement in 1990s cyberculture, Branwyn, alongside Mark Frauenfelder, was also part of the creative team behind Billy Idol's controversial 1993 album, Cyberpunk. While met with mixed reviews and some criticism from the cyberpunk purists for its mainstream appropriation of the genre, the album nonetheless played a role in bringing cyberculture to a broader audience, demonstrating Branwyn's influential ties within the movement.

Predating many of these larger projects, in the early 1990s, Branwyn independently published Going Gaga, a small-format alternative art and culture zine. This publication served as an early showcase for his distinct perspective and commitment to independent media, laying the groundwork for the column of the same name he would later write for Boing Boing.

Personal Life

Gareth Branwyn was previously married to the late Pam Bricker, a highly respected DC-area jazz singer and vocalist for the acclaimed electronic music group Thievery Corporation. Pam Bricker's contributions to music were significant, and her passing in 2005 due to suicide was a profound loss to the artistic community. Together, they had a son, Blake Maloof, who is now an adult.

In September 2021, Branwyn married his long-time girlfriend, Angela White, a renowned fine artist and arts educator. The couple currently resides in Benicia, California, continuing Branwyn's journey through life with a partner who shares a deep connection to the arts and creative expression.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gareth Branwyn

Is Gareth Branwyn his real name?

No, Gareth Branwyn is the pseudonym of Kevin Maloof, who adopted the name for his professional work in writing, editing, and media criticism.

What is Borg Like Me?

Borg Like Me is Gareth Branwyn's "lazy memoir," a uniquely personal and often anecdotal reflection on his life and career, particularly within the contexts of technology and cyberculture. It was crowdfunded via Kickstarter and self-published.

What was Gareth Branwyn's role at MAKE Magazine?

He served as the Editorial Director for MAKE Magazine, where he was responsible for overseeing all content and played a key role in shaping the publication's voice and direction within the maker movement.

Why is Mosaic Quick Tour a significant work?

Mosaic Quick Tour: Accessing and Navigating the World Wide Web is particularly significant because it was one of the very first books ever written to guide users on how to access and navigate the World Wide Web, using the then-pioneering Mosaic web browser. This highlights Branwyn's early and crucial engagement with the internet's public emergence.

What is "Going Gaga"?

"Going Gaga" was both a small-format alternative art and culture zine published by Branwyn in the early 1990s and later, a column he wrote for the Boing Boing print zine, reflecting his unique take on culture and technology.