Permacomputing your way out of casual dystopia
Hosted by Ola Bonati
Friday May 30, de Brakke Grond
9:00 - 13:00
In this one-day, survival-style mission, we will experiment with alternative ways of communication using repurposed electronics and, based on speculative futures, create scenarios in which constant (and instant) access to the network is not a given. In this playful hands-on workshop, we will ask questions like: Can we force ourselves to think of minimalistic futures in maximalist reality? How can we regain some of the agency by stepping out of the mainstream use of media? How can we apply permacomputing rules in our daily practice?
What is Permacomputing?
Permacomputing is both a concept and a community of practice oriented around issues of resilience and regenerativity in computer and network technology inspired by permaculture.
There are huge environmental and societal issues in today's computing, and permacomputing specifically wants to challenge them in the same way as permaculture has challenged industrial agriculture. With that said, permacomputing is an anti-capitalist political project. It is driven by several strands of anarchism, decoloniality, intersectional feminism, post-marxism, degrowth, ecologism.
Who can join?
No previous knowledge or skills are needed to join this workshop—just bring your curiosity and imagination! Open to anyone interested in digital culture, activism, or alternative tech, this session invites participants into a hands-on, low-tech survival mission. Together, we’ll explore how permacomputing principles can help us reclaim agency, rethink our relationship to technology, and imagine more resilient, regenerative ways of communicating in an increasingly unstable world
This workshop has been developed by Ola Bonati and Brendan Howell.
This edition is supported by Waag Futurelab.
Workshop Host - Ola Bonati
Ola Bonati is a concept developer within the Designing Regenerative Technologies project at Waag Futurelab. Her work explores alternatives to tech dystopia, seeking kinder, more sustainable practices for both people and the planet. Since joining the permacomputing community in 2021, she has been actively engaged in workshops and talks, introducing creative professionals and the public to the concept of regenerativity. Ola frequently turns to writing (ranting) about technology but remains hopeful and playful by creating critical new media pieces and interactive interventions.
Financial Access
We think it is important that as many people as possible have access to culture and cultural knowledge and skills. If financial reasons prevent you from participating in this master class, but you would really like to, please contact us. Together we will see what is possible. For anyone on a fixed income, at a design agency and/or other creative agency, please consider paying a little extra to make it possible for others to participate. You can buy a support ticket for this.
Event Summary
Date: Friday May 30
Time: 9:00 - 13:00
Location: de Brakke Grond
Price: Student € 15,- | Professionals: € 18,50
