Steel Wagstaff
radically open maker
I'm an inveterately curious person trying to do good things for good reasons. I am committed to a life rooted in generosity, mutual aid, and compassion for other sentient beings.
All of us are many selves, comprised of overlapping, shifting commitments, interests, and affections. Some of my deepest, most enduring interests include: being a father, partner, and friend. Poetry (especially the Objectivists), libraries, live music, international films, and pub trivia. Playing pickup soccer and basketball. Collaborating with diverse groups of people to address social problems without violence or domination.
What I do
Since 2018, I've worked as the product manager and customer experience lead for Pressbooks, a small Canadian company that makes open-source book publishing software.
Before joining Pressbooks, I taught writing and literature to college students and incarcerated men, served as a faculty consultant and instructional designer at a large public university, built websites, worked as a land surveyor, and cared for and tutored children.
Learn more about my professional work on GitHub or LinkedIn.
Explore past projects
I love DIY projects and learning to make new things. Some of these creative projects are presented here, sorted into a few categories.
Radio + Podcasts
Playlists, mixtapes, college radio shows, and episodes from two podcasts I made in grad school.
ExploreWriting + Storytelling
Stories, essays, and reflections on poetry, open education, and other sundry topics.
ExploreThe Commonplace
A digital commonplace book filled with words, images, videos, and songs worth remembering.
ExploreOnly connect!
I make my home in kalapuya iliʔi (Eugene, Oregon) with Laurel Bastian, our son, a small dog, and three chickens.
Our most precious possession is our attention. I'm trying to cultivate and direct my attention towards the things I love most. I don't use social media but and am always happy to meet other people with similar orientations.
If you want to discuss open-source software, educational publishing, poetry, worker cooperatives, climate restoration, anarchism, Buddhism, developing "third spaces", or just say hello, feel free to contact me directly. This is my personal website, so please don't send unsolicited business ideas. If you want to discuss working together, use LinkedIn.
