Hey there! So I’m currently studying CS & IT and I’d like to know more about how developers & computer nerds alike are reflecting the values of solarpunk into their work.
Are solarpunk values part of your thinking process when you decide which software you are going to be making (for personal projects for example), or which company you will be working at? Are they part of the production process (like which tools or technologies you’re using)? How much? And, maybe in a broader sense, is hoping to work on projects aligned with solarpunk values realistic?
I would say that Free & Open-Source software is a core tenant of solarpunk, and I would prioritize using and supporting it wherever possible. It’s a form of prefiguration, and gives us a solid base to build upon that can’t be easily ripped out from under us via enshittification.
As for what company you’ll be working for, that will be a bit harder to incorporate solarpunk ideals, but not impossible if you manage to find a software co-op that is hiring. Alternatively, if you have enough friends or co-workers that would be interested, you could start your own software co-op yourself! Here’s a great video from already successful software co-ops on how they’re structured legally, internally, and make decisions.
Thanks for the detailed answer! And yeah, starting my own co-op or even non-profit is definitely a goal I strive for. Definitely going to be checking that video!