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 or any questions. (Question: We will prepare all the modules ahead of time? Or do facilitators do that)
What you need
(for version 2 of the script you don't need this material)
- We send the boards to you + usb cables
- Computers per participant to make the websites with
- Apps to reduce file size
- Internet connection
- card board
- colored pens, wax pencils, and markers
- colored paper, scissors and glue
- hot glue, tape
- some other craft materials to beautify the module packaging
- snacks, drinks
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.
Preparation for participants
(for version 2 script you don't need this material)
- Install VLC media player: https://www.videolan.org/vlc/
- Install Brackets code editor: https://brackets.io
- and download this .zip file with example files (you don't have to install this :)
Workshop script
In the following we propose three different versions of the scripts, which take into consideration other conditions 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. so that people feel connected while they are following a different script)
The activities of the SpoilPunk workshop will be running over several (half) days. We will start the workshop with a presentation of both collectives that we will record and share with the other nodes on Monday afternoon. We therefore recommend the other nodes, especially those who are later in time, to consider starting the SoilPunk workshop Tuesday or Wednesday. If Berlin likes, they can join our presentation online or we send it at to them at 17.00... could be watched as an evening activity or participants could watch it on their own time.
Version 1: Script (in-person workshops)
(This would be the initial version that we go outside on the first day, do a sample hunt where we find all materials, then we harvest mud, make the battery, make the hunt and wait for several days to charge the battery and do 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. (suggestion: could be also a nice after lunch or evening activity for participants to get energised)
Preparing the examplary hunt is also a way for workshop faciliators to get aquainted with the wifi modules.
Instructions for facilitators on how to prepare the exemplary hunt:
- Think about a route that consists of 3 destinations that have at least 20-30m inbetween them. Don't make it to far away and consider an area that can be described / is enclosed somehow
- Divide up the kits over the 3 locations and take pictures that give enough clues to the locations
- Reduce file size of pictures
- Follow steps in Git repo on how to make a small website that contains the pictures/clues and on how to get them onto the small modules.
- Hide the kits on the chosen destinations (consider zip-logs in case of rain)
- Hide the wifi modules in other locations (consider zip-logs in case of rain)
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! )
As an example this is the Amsterdam schedule Monday 18 July.
9.30 coffee & tea
[add a collective conditions session or name introduction round]
10.00-11.00 Scavenger hunt // mind safety
11.00-11.30 Unboxing and presenting
- 10 min Hackitects muddy presentation
- 10 min H&D solar / low tech presentations
- 10 min Laying out the workshop / different scripts / discussion / questions
11.30 - 13.00 Making mud batteries #1
Lunch: 13.00-14.00
14.00-15.30 Making mud batteries #2
15.30-18.30 Making the scavenger hunt
Last step: take pictures of your modules and post them on the zulip with id
18.30-19.00 Discussion, tips and tricks, new resources... keep the secret of the clues
Open question: what are we looking for in the final hunt? What is the treasure? An alternative to the puzzle pieces.. maybe something people have researched... a new piece of information about the topic SoilPunk? Maybe we are compiling a kind of publication instead of a puzzle? Or pieces to a dinner? Maybe everyone brings a food? or a recipe for a low emission food, which we will cook on one of our evenings? Maybe we can leave this up to the nodes? Should we decide on this together as a group or decide upfront?
Day 3 or 4
(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)
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]