AI-Magic.org
Project Plan & Budget
A weekly online community at the Embassy of the Free Mind — teaching AI tools and exploring the history of AI and magical thinking through a guided book club. Every Tuesday, open to all. 52 episodes per year for a total investment of $3,380.
Vision
AI is the most transformative technology of our era, but most people experience it passively — as a product, not as a creative medium. The Hermetic tradition has always sought to extend the human mind through science, art, and the mysteries of consciousness. AI is the newest chapter in that story.
AI-Magic brings these together. Every Tuesday, a community of learners meets to master AI tools hands-on — starting with Claude Code — and to study the deep connections between artificial intelligence and magical thinking through a guided book club and curriculum. The Embassy of the Free Mind, a living library of the Hermetic tradition, is our spiritual and eventual physical home.
Kircher, 1669 — Source Library
Event Format
Weekly Tuesday Show · 90 minutes
Platforms
Live on YouTube and Discord Stage. All sessions recorded and published as video and audio-only podcast.
Community Hub
Discord server for async discussion, project sharing, and coordination between sessions. Free and open.
Budget
Three phases of investment, each independently valuable.
| Item | Detail | Cost | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microphone | Shure MV7+ — broadcast-quality USB/XLR dynamic mic | $270 | Phase 1 |
| Streaming Software | StreamYard Pro — remote guests, overlays, multi-platform ($20/mo x 12) | $240 | Phase 1 |
| Stream Controller | Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 — one-touch scene switching | $150 | Phase 1 |
| Key Light | Elgato Key Light — adjustable desk-mount studio light | $200 | Phase 1 |
| Domain & Hosting | ai-magic.org domain + Vercel hosting | $20 | Phase 1 |
| Camera | Sony ZV-E10 II — mirrorless, clean HDMI out, great image quality for video | $900 | Phase 2 |
| Capture Card | Elgato Cam Link 4K — camera to computer via HDMI | $100 | Phase 2 |
| Audio Mixer | Rodecaster Pro II — all-in-one mixer, multi-track recording, sound pads | $700 | Phase 2 |
| Accessories | Cables, mic arm, camera tripod, acoustic treatment | $250 | Phase 2 |
| Portable Kit | Travel cases, backup cables, portable LED panel for venue events | $250 | Phase 3 |
| Book Acquisitions | Digital and physical texts for the curriculum — Hermetic sources, AI history, contemporary works | $300 | Phase 3 |
Professional audio, lighting, and streaming. Go live immediately.
Dedicated camera, multi-track audio, production polish.
Portable kit for Embassy events, book acquisitions for curriculum.
Total Investment — Full Year
52 episodes · ~$65 per episode · Free for all attendees
Execution Timeline
Launch
- • Purchase Phase 1 equipment (mic, light, Stream Deck)
- • Set up YouTube channel, Discord server, and StreamYard account
- • Configure OBS scenes: talking head, screen share, intro card
- • Record test episode — full 90-min run-through
- • Announce launch date, open Discord invites
First Four Episodes
- • Episode 1: What is Claude Code? Live setup from scratch, build a project
- • Episode 2: Prompt engineering — getting the most out of AI assistants
- • Episode 3: Guest episode — invite a community member to co-build
- • Episode 4: Book club launch — first reading from the Corpus Hermeticum paired with a modern AI essay
- • Publish all recordings to YouTube, start podcast feed
Production Upgrade
- • Purchase camera, capture card, Rodecaster, accessories
- • Set up dedicated studio — camera angles, lighting, acoustic treatment
- • Add multi-track recording workflow (clean audio for podcast)
- • Publish curriculum reading list and syllabus on site
- • Establish rhythm: workshop first half, book club second half
Embassy & Community Growth
- • First live event at the Embassy of the Free Mind — hybrid stream
- • Assemble portable production kit for venue use
- • Launch community showcase: members present AI projects
- • Establish monthly "AI & the Hermetic Tradition" salon at the Embassy
- • Reach 500+ Discord members, consistent weekly viewership
Sustain & Expand
- • Weekly episodes continue — tutorials, guest interviews, and book club
- • Build a library of beginner-friendly AI tutorial content
- • Complete first semester of the AI-Magic curriculum (12 readings)
- • Explore partnerships with Amsterdam cultural and academic venues
- • Open-source the curriculum and production workflow for other communities
Impact & Outcomes
Episodes per year
Weekly content — tutorials, book club discussions, and guest interviews — all freely available.
Free and accessible
No paywalls, no subscriptions. Every session is free. The Discord is open to all.
Past meets future
The Hermetic tradition gives AI a deeper context — not just what it can do, but where it fits in the long story of human aspiration.
Creators, not consumers
Every workshop produces something real. Every book club reading deepens understanding.
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
— Arthur C. Clarke
We’re building the community where people learn to be the magicians.
Support This Project
Your contribution funds equipment, software, and venue access for a full year of free weekly community events.
Get in Touchderek@ai-magic.org