The Vision Fish are a central group of advisors and mentors responsible for the governance, stewardship of values, and long-term coherence of the **Hitchhiker Project**. They serve as custodians of purpose during the project’s formative stages and beyond, ensuring that growth, experimentation, and expansion remain aligned with shared principles.
While many individuals may act as vision fish in support of specific Fellows or individual Hitchhikers, The Vision Fish (capitalized) refers specifically to the **core stewardship group** entrusted with constitutional design, cultural formation, and the establishment of support structures for the wider advisory ecosystem.
# Purpose and Mandate The Vision Fish hold a mandate centered on **values, governance, and continuity**. Their work is guided by a long-term perspective that prioritizes integrity over speed and coherence over scale.
Their primary responsibilities include: * Stewardship of the core values and ethos of the Hitchhiker Project * Design and ongoing refinement of the **Hitchhiker Constitution** * Establishment of governance norms and decision-making frameworks * Support of Fellows through indirect guidance, structure, and clarity of purpose * Outreach to specialists, advisors, and supporters during the founding phase Rather than directing day-to-day operations, The Vision Fish focus on shaping the conditions under which the project can evolve responsibly.
# Role in the Hitchhiker Constitution A defining responsibility of The Vision Fish is their leadership in the creation of the **Hitchhiker Constitution**. This document is intended to function as a living framework rather than a fixed rulebook. In this context, The Vision Fish: * Articulate foundational principles and non-negotiable values * Define roles, responsibilities, and boundaries within the project * Balance flexibility with safeguards against mission drift * Ensure that governance structures remain legible, humane, and adaptable They act as both authors and stewards of the Constitution, supporting its interpretation and evolution over time.
# Founding Phase Responsibilities During the founding phase of the Hitchhiker Project, The Vision Fish play a particularly critical role. In addition to constitutional design, they are responsible for: * Identifying and engaging domain specialists, advisors, and early supporters * Establishing credibility, trust, and ethical alignment with external contributors * Helping translate the project’s vision into forms others can meaningfully support * Holding institutional memory as the project moves from concept to practice This phase requires a high degree of care, as early decisions tend to shape long-term trajectories.
It is important to distinguish **The Vision Fish** from the broader category of *vision fish*.
# The Vision Fish - A central, defined group - Focused on governance, values, and institutional stewardship - Responsible for constitutional design and cultural architecture - Accountable to the long-term integrity of the Hitchhiker Project
# General Vision Fish - Advisors, mentors, or supporters associated with a specific Fellow or Hitchhiker - Focused on project-specific guidance, expertise, or mentorship - Operate within the cultural and structural frameworks designed by The Vision Fish Both are essential, but their scopes and responsibilities differ.
# Culture and Community Design Beyond governance, The Vision Fish are responsible for designing the **culture and support structures** of the wider Vision Fish community. This includes: * Establishing norms of engagement, mentorship, and ethical conduct * Defining expectations around responsibility, authority, and influence * Creating mechanisms for feedback, reflection, and accountability * Supporting healthy relationships between Fellows, Hitchhikers, and advisors The aim is to cultivate a community that is thoughtful, generous, rigorous, and resilient—one that supports long-term inquiry rather than short-term performance.
# Ethos Members of The Vision Fish are expected to embody: * Long-term thinking * Stewardship over ownership * Intellectual humility * Careful use of influence * Commitment to shared values over personal agendas Their authority arises not from position alone, but from trust, consistency, and demonstrated alignment with the project’s purpose.
# Summary The Vision Fish form the ethical and structural backbone of the Hitchhiker Project. By stewarding values, designing governance, and shaping culture, they enable the project to grow without losing its sense of direction. They do not chart every course—but they help ensure that wherever the Hitchhiker Project travels, it remains true to why it began.