SoilPunk workshop

From Hackers & Designers

Note to facilitator(s)

Dear facilitators,
We are thrilled that you will be hosting an iteration of our script! For our workshop script we recommend 2 people to take the responsibility for preparing and facilitating the workshop.

We tried to anticipate different contexts and conditions. There are 3 versions of the script, the 2nd versions is only online and does not need as much preparation.

Yet there may be gaps in our script. We therefore would like to ask you to read the script carefully and imagine hosting this workshop in your location, perhaps run a trial. In any case please go through the steps of uploading a small website to the wifi module ahead of time. As everyone will be busy coordinating their workshops and participants, we will prepared all the modules for you ahead of time. We prepared 4-5 modules per node, which means participants can work in groups. But there is an element we cannot prepare for you. Workshop facilitators will need to install things on their computers to be able to upload content onto the modules. We suggest the facilitator(s) to prepare their computers in this way so that two groups can upload content at the same time onto their modules during the workshop on your computers can go quicker 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.

Introduction

  • This workshop script merges two workshops into one.
  • Reference to the initial workshop for kids /
  • Making tiny local internets / making batteries from mud
  • Both workshops are an attempt to rethink technical infrastructure, connectivity, accessibility of the internet and what is commonly understood as desirable / innovative / user-friendly in our daily techno-social lives.
  • non-fossil energies ... / renewable /// not wasteful // attentive to resources
  • experimenting, curiosity
  • other stories / other narratives // story-hunt // how to talk about connectivity differently
  • an element of speculation
  • explore other future thinking // more positive // contribution to the narrative (solarpunk star)
  • soil: other way to look at nature
  • its hands-on but not solution oriented ... not about fixing about problems of big tech
  • making process / different knowledge coming together to have a disucssion.. through making.. not spectatign critic but making things

... we hope you experience this as...

  • solutionist .... // work with the knowledge / skills / available in the space


The SolarPunk ...

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.

What you need

(for version 2 of the script you don't need this material)

We will send you a box that contains 4-5 sets (depending on amount of participants) of the following items:

  • ESP modules
  • USB cables
  • Mini solar panel
  • Battery holder (solar management module)

What you should get:

  • ! We cannot ship the battery. We therefore ask you to order them yourselves, one per set. These are the specs: LG 18650 Li-ion Batterij. We ordered them here but perhaps check within your local area.
  • computers per participant to make the websites with
  • 1-2 computers that are configured to upload content onto the modules (follow steps in GIT repo)
  • apps to reduce file size
  • internet connection
  • card board
  • coloured pens, wax pencils, markers
  • coloured paper, scissors and glue
  • tie wraps
  • hot glue, tape
  • some other craft materials to beautify the module packaging
  • snacks, drinks

Schedule / setup

In Amsterdam we will be hosting our workshop on Monday 18 July 2022 10.00-18.00
You are free to choose a moment that suits best your node's schedules. You could for instance also split the workshop easily into 2 or 3 parts.
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)

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)

Note to the facilitator


Most of the workshop will take place on one day, but could be split over several days as well so that there is a substantial amount of time in the middle so that the batteries have time to charge.

We recommend to do this workshop early in the week so that there is enough time for the batteries to charge


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! )


  • Prepare the SoilPunk Workshop kits. Each kit consists of:
    • ESP modules
    • USB cables
    • Mini solar panel
    • Battery holder (solar management module)
    • LG 18650 Li-ion Batterij.
    • [Soil related stuff]
  • Pick a location in proximity to the workshop site to hide the SoilPunk Workshop kits
  • Take three pictures to give enough clues where the kits are.
  • Follow the Git repo to acquaint yourself with how to upload pictures and text to the module
  • Add the clues to the mini website and upload the website to the module.
  • Hide the module somewhere in proximity to the workshop location (not the same spot as the 'treasure')



Example of the Amsterdam schedule Monday 18 July.

9.30 Coffee & tea
Collective check in to prepare participants for the workshop and check-in with everyones needs, expectations. I.e. this workshop will require to go outside, its is maybe good to talk about what is the area is like, the neighbourhood, what are participants able to do? what are the expectations, are there any concerns?

10.00 - 11.00 Introduction presentation and sourcing of a collective vocabulary around a lighter internet
The introduction talks will be prerecorded. We invite the nodes to watch them together with participants.

  • 15 min Hackitects muddy presentation -- pre-recorded version will a bit shorter
  • 15 min H&D solar / low tech presentations -- pre-recorded version will a bit shorter
  • 30 min Exercise to be faciliated by the nodes:

The purpose of the following exercise is to get a collective sense of what the knowledge and interest are of the group you are working with in relation to the topic of SoilPunk. We do not expect prior knowledge or answers/solutions to problems but depart from and work with the imagination and fascinations of the respective groups.
You could use an Etherpad for this exercise or large paper.
The goal of this exercise is to gather a common pool of questions, that sets a direction for the workshop and can be stimulating for the group.
Suggestions for questions/prompts (feel free to adapt for your context):
Facilitators release one question at a time and set a timer of 10 minutes per question

  • What do you associate with the term 'wasteful' 7 min
  • What do you associate with the term 'resourceful' 7 min
  • What do you associate with the term 'future' 7 min

Responses can be questions, openings, contradictions, fictions, ... there is no right or wrong.
If there is time left, facilitators can invite participants to read some of the responses and react to them.

11.00 - 11.45 Collective scavenger hunt for workshop tool kits

Instructions for facilitators to prepare the scavenger hunt are in the 'Note to the facilitators'


11.45 Settling back into the space

12.00 - 13.00 Making mud batteries

Lunch: 13.00 - 14.00

14.00 - 16.00 Going outside, picking a location, composing the story, sourcing materials/pictures/sounds... for the story, writing texts
16.00 - 17.00 Programming the mini websites and uploading them to the modules
// while some program the website others can spend time to 'dress up' the module packages

17.00 - 18.00 Doing the signal walk

On another day 1 hr: Try out the battery (power LEDs)

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 form small groups .. 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) Example:

  • Go to your browser history
  • Find out about the carbon footprint of 5 different websites you see in the list
  • Insights: Use the least heavy website and try to find out what it does 'better'
  • Locations: Then find out where the servers are where it is hosted ...
  • Write down 5 insights and the locations.. These insights and locations are the destinations of your web scavenger hunt and the ingredients for your story, and your clues.
  • Develop a narrative thread (can be fictional) and clues that connect the locations and insights, and lead a person through your insights and destinations / With every clue add a web link that gives additional information and supports your story somehow.. the web links should be posted by the particiants when they di the hunt and will be the indication if they are getting closer.

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' which they can publish on their small HTML sites... and maybe they can additionally also post their mini websites somewhere else on the web for a 'Show and Tell' at the end of the session... and to share with the rest of the nodes... it could be fun to have participants think about mechanisms to 'lure' people into connecting to their tiny networks and play with the idea of an 'InterNot.' We could furthermore 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 as a pm to a random person from the overall list of the participants (of all nodes), with the request to write 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 ↗

Resources

Initial notes

(delete before sharing) SoilPunk Pad

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