Permacomputing: Fermenting Regenerative Aesthetics
Images created with digital graphic techniques have played a central role
in promoting the seemingly endless growth of a computing culture that many
of us now recognize as extractive, polluting and exploitative. Beyond that,
something that once promised a utopian future now feels like it has delivered
a rather crappy, disappointing reality. FLOSS has undoubtedly played some role
in this development, but it also holds a great potential as part of a shift
in imagination to new practices and aesthetics that are more verdant, just
and humane.
This presentation will propose the concept of "Permacomputing" as a useful
lens to consider the role of FLOSS in developing alternative practices.
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.
We will start with a brief introduction to the concepts and emerging projects
around these ideas. With these notions in mind, we can then examine how
some of the existing practices of Libre Graphics might inspire or give
relevant support to newer, more holistic ways of working. And finally, we
will look at some specific examples of software development, education and
image making using the generative flora of computing within limits.