SoilPunk workshop

Introduction

Note to facilitator(s)

It will be useful for workshop facilitators to go through the steps of uploading a small website to the wifi module ahead of time. Please follow the steps in the GIT readme section and reach out to H&D (Heerko, Loes, Anja, Pernilla) in case you run into issues. (Question: We will prepare all the modules ahead of time? Or do facilitators do that)

Abstract

In this workshop we will imagine and try out ways to radically reduce the energy use associated with accessing networked content. The workshop incorporates two experimental approaches simultaneously: one that is focused on reducing file sizes of online content, and creating small local networks for storytelling. And secondly: exploring the strategies from DIY biotechnology where bacteria found in local iron-rich soil are harnessed to generate and store energy. SoilPunk: muddy speculations on desirable techno futures.

Schedule / setup

In Amsterdam we will be hosting our workshop in these moments: [ADD DATE/TIME] You are free to choose a moment that suits best your node's schedules. We are available for questions in these moments on Zulip and BBB: [ADD DATE/TIME] Participants and/or facilitators can be in touch at these moments if they need help or just want to check in with us. Shared activity: We propose to read the following text [...] and meet on an Etherpad [ADD LINK] with all nodes at this moment [ADD DATE/TIME] to discuss the text together. We will prepare some questions and prompts that will be released and create a dramaturgy in the pad to activate and mediate the discussion.

Workshop scripts

We propose three different versions of the scripts, which take into consideration different condition for hosting the workshop. We would like to ask facilitators to consider their environment and chose the script that seems most feasible to them.

(Optimally there is a commonality or shared experience with all scripts.. i.e. the collective discussion of a text.)

Version 1: Script (in-person workshops)

(This would be the initial version that we go outside on the first night, do a sample hunt where we find all materials, then we harvest mud, make the battery, wait for several days, then make the hunt )

The workshop will be split over several days so that there is a substantial amount of time in the middle so that the batteries have time to charge.

Day 1
1.5 hrs: Exemplary scavenger hunt: Finding the kits that include all the materials for the workshop. (recommendation: could be an after lunch activity for participants to get energised) Instructions for facilitators on how to prepare the hunt:

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3.5 hrs: Making the battery (you could also do that on another day but we recommend to do this part early in the week so that there is enough time for it to charge and actually charge the modules at the end! )

Day 3
(We recommend to plan this part at the end of your workshop week but having 1 or 2 days (15 - 35 hrs) in-between may also be sufficient)

3 hrs: Make the hunt?
(we could also make the hunt on the first day instead and do the hunt on the last day?) 1 hr: Try out the battery (power scavenger nodes or LEDs)
1 hr: Do the hunt

Version 2: Hybrid script (online only or hybrid workshops)

Online scavenger hunt

(I propose an adaption of the scavenger hunt idea into the web space.. no physical computing or programming necessary, just focus on the game/play aspect... and explore the subject of SoilPunk in the webspace, ... maybe there are clues related to carbon emission of websites... In smaller groups participants can design scavenger hunts only with screenshots and text/links, weaving together a story through hyperlinks and screenshots ... We can give timed exercises, prompts and criteria to help participants along to create their hunt... we could either use etherpad as central point or zulip.. etherpad disadvantage is that you cannot post images... in zulip participants could make streams and then post clues / images and texts there. Nice if participants follow small group .. the script could already define the different roles and steps to help along the collaboration... in hybrid space its nice to group online people with people in space,.. so that those who are not physically present dont feel left out)

Version 3: Hybrid script (online only or hybrid workshops)

Local Wifi Zines powered by mud batteries

(This version does not have a scavenger hunt -- at least not in the literal sense -- but focuses on making local wifi zine networks (if possible for powered by mud batteries).. We should take into account a plan b for people who cannot make mud batteries because they may not be able to harvest mud... or could we/facilitators send them mud? Participants can then produce their personal content (based on a web research) related to 'SoilPunk' on their small HTML sites... and maybe they can additionally also be post their mini websites somewhere else on the web during a Show and tell at the end of the session.. it could be fun to have participants think about mechanisms to 'lure' people into connecting to their networks and play with the idea of 'InterNot') I would furthermore like to propose different prompts for writing, editing, and harvesting content from the internet that connect different participants to each other and perhaps even other nodes. Like a chain, ... you find a picture and reduce the file size to 2kb, then send it to a person in the overall list of the participants (of all nodes), that person receives the message and writes an id of that image and sends it back, you use that image description as a start for your story...)

Git repository

[I suggest to minimize the repo and readme to the technical aspects of the script and put contextualization here in this wiki]

hackersanddesigners / SoilPunk / README.md

SoilPunk

↗ view more tools ↗↗ view in GitHub ↗

Initial notes

SoilPunk Pad