• ex_06@slrpnk.netM
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    6
    ·
    2 days ago

    I don’t see how being critical and optimistic about tech is mutually exclusive

    It’s not… But it’s a bit like the word “feminism” that includes much more than women struggles. Techno-optimists it’s not about being positive about some technology.

    Not all of them, but to me being tech-positive and understanding technologies can be sustainable is at the core of solarpunk

    I agree, hence we say solarpunk and not techno-optimists :P

    • keepthepace@slrpnk.net
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      2 days ago

      Or maybe we start reclaiming some terms. I am tired of changing labels because some conservative decided to coopt a cool movement. If tomorrow Musk and his followers declare to be solarpunks are we going to nod and move away from the term?

      • chobeat
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        2 days ago

        Techno-optimism has always been used to criticize this attitude, together with techno-chauvinism. Techno-utopianism is a less loaded term that might encompass more positive visions of technology, like the attitude towards space exploration in the 60’s coming from the soviet union.

        “Optimism” in general is not necessarily the term we want to reclaim from the right: it’s wishy-washy, boring, mediocre. “I’m not going to do much, I’ll be on autopilot, because tech is good and it will sort stuff out. I don’t care too much about taking a position, beyond passively trusting tech”. Optimism is the happy trust of a dog on a leash going for a walk.

        • keepthepace@slrpnk.net
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          2 days ago

          Isn’t optimism the raison d’être of solarpunk? It is a reaction to dystopias and proposes an optimistic view of the future.

          • chobeat
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            2 days ago

            solarpunk is inherently utopian. Utopias exist to inspire and to reflect on the present. It tells us that there can be a social system in which technology is good, but then if to be optimistic or not is very subjective. Many pessimistic people like utopias exactly because they highlight the ugliness of reality.

      • ex_06@slrpnk.netM
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        2 days ago

        It’s actually “us” in the political tech space that started using techno optimism as derogatory I think. I don’t know why you think that techno-optimism label was ever a good one and then co-opted :o

        Cyberpunk was co-opted by the Californian ideology but “techno-optimism” I don’t think so…