We’ve added a lot of subscribers since we first published our deep-dive on what solarpunk is back in 2022. That’s why we’re sharing a concise explanation of our scene in this post. It’s for all of you who’ve come more recently to this newsletter and as a refresher for those OGs who have been with us for a long time (love you guys).
Thx, a lot for sharing.
The endless attempts at defining solarpunk is something that has surprised me, to be honest.
Why the need to find one right definition, and worse ‘to be right’ (making all the others wrong in the process)? I mean is there any other reason beside feeling good about oneself?
To me, solarpunk is a way to look differently at tech. I could end my definition here.
I could also go on talking about how it’s empathy-focused and how human centric it is.
Or talk about the flavors I like the best (low-tech would be my obvious pick) but that’s just words hiding what I think is solarpunk core principle: a desire to provide another way to look at tech. To any tech, and for any use. For good and for bad as well… And that is where I think all the ‘preachiness’ going on around solarpunk fells short.
With solarpunk, tech is once again a tool. Not that magical-like (super) power that stays out of our reach—like fatality or like Gods, be they bene or malevolent. Not what our very own CEO want us to believe tech is: something we can’t get over, something we can’t live without, something we can’t replace ever, save with whatever new piece of tech they hand down to us
Solarpunk makes tech what it used to be: a tool in our own hands. A tool made with our own hands. Our tool. A tool we learn to use and then to master, and whose mastery can then be taught/transmitted from one generation to the next—or to the previous generation, if one was to make time traveling solarpunk a thing?
A personal question, if I may : is there any specific reason you’re using Substack?
I mean, I know it works well and it seems quite popular among ‘literary’ people but isn’t it another one of those centralized (social media-like) type of tool that keep full control of tech out of our hands, something solaprpunk wants to offer an alternative to? It’s a genuine question, I’m not trying to troll or blame, I’m curious to know.
I’m not sure if you’re asking me personally as I didn’t publish the article so I can’t answer for Solarpunk Stories but I’m aware of how problematic Substack is and I certainly agree that an alternative platform that’s not centralized in corporate power that also works with Fascists would be more in line with Solarpunk ethics and praxis.
Yes I was asking you, as I thought you were the author. My bad.
I would not say I see substack as problematic. I mean, I don’t use it (I had a look, even created an account) but I have no issue with people not sharing my values or having their values I deeply disagree with. My question was really all about the choice of hosting a site about solarpunk using a tool/service that is not, well, not much in the vein of solarpunk tech. At least, not as I understand it.