Elizabeth Tai | 戴秀铃 🇲🇾Jan 16, 2023

Learned about a new #scifi genre today - #SolarPunk

"Solarpunk stories take place in futures where humanity, technology, and nature live in harmony rather than in conflict."

TBH, it sounds a lot like #StarTrek which makes me think I will love this genre!

Who are the #authors in this genre?

#Books #Bookstodon #reading

https://www.tor.com/2021/09/30/the-solarpunk-future-five-essential-works-of-climate-forward-fiction/

The Solarpunk Future: Five Essential Works of Climate-Forward Fiction

“Don’t readers ever get tired of being told that the world is coming to a nasty, ugly end and only a very few people will survive, by luck and by violence?” That’s the question asked by legendary s…

Tor.com
Show threadAnne Deschaine
@liztai Becky Chambers! She also skews hopepunk, but her works are gentle and full of heart.
Jan 16, 2023 at 11:23pmWeb
Show threadElizabeth Tai | 戴秀铃 🇲🇾Jan 16, 2023
@aehdeschaine This sounds like a genre I'd love to write in!
Show threadAnne DeschaineJan 16, 2023
@liztai Me too! Dystopia has its grim uses, but wow, it's nice to imagine a happier place!
Show threadElizabeth Tai | 戴秀铃 🇲🇾Jan 16, 2023
@aehdeschaine That's why I've always loved Star Trek novels. The characters are in danger and all that, but they're working towards more peace and unity etc.
Show threadAnne DeschaineJan 17, 2023
@liztai I just saw this piece by Rebecca Solnit, which I think helps encapsulate why solarpunk is so necessary and rejuvenating. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2023/jan/12/rebecca-solnit-climate-crisis-popular-imagination-why-we-need-new-stories
‘If you win the popular imagination, you change the game’: why we need new stories on climate

The long read: So much is happening, both wonderful and terrible – and it matters how we tell it. We can’t erase the bad news, but to ignore the good is the route to indifference or despair

The Guardian
Show threadtech? no! man, see...Jan 16, 2023

@aehdeschaine @liztai I don't think of solarpunk as a fiction genre as much as an artistic aesthetic tbh

similar to steampunk, people thought it was a literary thing because of that one Sterling novel but the lasting influence was more about the art and design style that came out of it

Show threadAnne DeschaineJan 16, 2023
@technomancy @liztai I know what you mean, as far as the Art Nouveau-esque visual aesthetic. But there has developed a literary genre around the ideals that feed the aesthetic. Sometimes I prefer the hopepunk "realism" of fighting/working to get to solarpunk, but the solarpunk dream can be really nourishing and inspiring.
Show threadElisheva Meira ✡︎ 🌈Jan 18, 2023
@aehdeschaine @liztai
Central library here has Becky Chambers. Now to get into town :)
Show threadAnne DeschaineJan 18, 2023
@emmaaum @liztai Enjoy them!!! If you don't have the bandwidth for the four-book longer series, try her novellas! The latest duo, Monk & Robot, is such a respite
Show threadElisheva Meira ✡︎ 🌈Jan 19, 2023
@aehdeschaine
Thanks. A respite sounds very good. :) I'll see what's on the shelves at the library when I get there.