Zoë 🏳️⚧️☀️It is a strange feeling - knowing that we need technology like solar panels, batteries, EVs, wind turbines, heat pumps, and more to avert climate catastrophe, while also being deeply disillusioned with the way technological advances have unfolded under capitalism. How can I be enthusiastic about cool green tech, while also really distressed about the impact of data centers, mass surveillance, etc? It’s questions like these that I ask myself a lot #tech #capitalism #solarpunk #climatechange
Alan@the_medium_kahuna I have similar feelings about our modern world. It seems to place barriers to people working together to improve life. I find myself daydreaming of #cooperatives, forming virtual, or actual physical community. The current system of the world resists change, even as what it provides keeps decaying. That's why it feels like I'm searching for ways form intentional community to form better protections - even if its a small corner of reality.
Tinker ☀️@metaphase @the_medium_kahuna - Have you have luck finding or starting these? I've got a couple groups going in my small town. Heading to a food distribution right now with the community fridge for example.
There absolutely is ic.org if you want to go full blown, hehehe, but even living a more mainstream life, there are lots of groups to join that already exist.
What have been your experiences?!
@tinker @the_medium_kahuna In my geographical region, there are traditional charity groups which I've helped out with here and there, good work, and generally amicable people, but as groups, they feel fairly incomplete. There are is also a hacker space, but they are a hobby group that forms and disperse as people have free time.
I honestly don't know for sure what I'm looking for but something building towards something more sustainable and livable.
@metaphase @the_medium_kahuna - Yeah, charities are meant to be stop gaps, but they just keep going. Ideally we'd build up mutual aid networks which seek to not just treat the symptoms but get at the root of any given issue and provide a meaningful sustainable and permanent solution to that root problem.
@the_medium_kahuna - Focus on building an using tech that isn't within the constraints of capitalism helps for starters.
So I run Linux as my home and work computer. When I have to use Windows, its within a VM or remote desktop, etc.
I'm looking into a Fairphone for my daily driver.
I use public transit as often as I can or walk / ride my PEV when I can't. I'll use rideshare or a rental/lease when I can't use those others.
I grow my own food and buy from co-ops. I build and participate in mutual aid networks.
I'm looking on setting up solar. I don't plan on leasing. Instead, I'll take out a loan to own it over time. But you can look into buying used panels and get even cheaper.
I don't buy streaming movies. I use the library with the libraries free streaming apps like Kanopy, Hoopla, and Libby. Or I borrow physical media from the library itself.
I spend my free time carving out and participating in third spaces at locally owned restaurants or city managed parks, the library, temples, etc.
It's not perfect right now of course. We're trying to get out of the current situation. But there are lots of ways you can live and participate fully in society without engaging in capitalism.
Edit to say: I feel you and your frustration. I have it too. I went into "solve the problem" mode and not "listening and being" mode. Sorry!