Backcasting from a solar punk future using generative AI

Can you backcast regarding overcoming global problems? Yes, you can, according to Nick Gogerty.

What fractal of a solar punk future will generate roles fit for your inner child?

Sensemaking generative AI drawing on global wisdom.

It is important to draw on global wisdom traditions in making sense of generative AI and its potential uses aligned to the needs an dinterests of humans and biodiversity. We will cover a range of ways of making sense of the world through wise approaches drawn from a global context:   Kaitiakitanga, Wu wei, Ubuntu, Ikigai, Cynefin, Mokoro, Wabi-sabi, Friluftsliv, Sarung Banggi, Jugaad, Mudita, Kaizen, Tonglen, and Shoshin.

Kaitiakitanga, for example, is a Maori term that refers to the responsible stewardship of natural resources, and can be applied to the use of generative AI in ensuring that technology is developed and used in a way that is respectful and sustainable.

Wu wei, a concept from Taoist philosophy, emphasizes the importance of non-action or non-striving in achieving goals, and can be applied to the development of generative AI technologies that operate in a more natural, effortless manner.

Ubuntu, a philosophy from the Bantu people of Africa, emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of all living beings, and can be applied to the use of generative AI in promoting collaboration and cooperation among humans and technology.

Ikigai, a Japanese concept, refers to the sense of purpose and meaning in life, and can be applied to the use of generative AI in helping individuals and organizations find and pursue their goals and passions.

Cynefin, a framework developed by Dave Snowden, emphasizes the importance of context in decision-making and problem-solving, and can be applied to the use of generative AI in understanding and adapting to complex, dynamic environments.

Mokoro, a term from the Okavango Delta in Botswana, refers to the traditional mode of transportation in the region, and can be applied to the use of generative AI in developing technologies that are adaptable and resilient in challenging or unfamiliar environments.

Wabi-sabi: This is a Japanese concept that refers to the beauty of imperfection and impermanence. It could be used to explain how generative AI can be used to create solutions that embrace change and impermanence, rather than trying to control or stabilize everything.

Friluftsliv: This is a Norwegian term that refers to the idea of spending time in nature and embracing outdoor activities. It could be used to explain how generative AI can be used to create solutions that foster a sense of connection to the natural world.

Sarung Banggi: This is a term from the Tagalog language of the Philippines that refers to the practice of working together to accomplish a task or goal. It could be used to explain how generative AI can be used to create solutions that involve collaboration and mutual support.

Jugaad: This is a term from Hindi that refers to the practice of finding creative, resourceful solutions to problems. It could be used to explain how generative AI can be used to create solutions that are innovative and

Ikigai, a Japanese concept, refers to the sense of purpose and meaning in life, and can be applied to the use of generative AI in helping individuals and organizations find and pursue their goals and passions. Ikigai is a Japanese concept that refers to the overlap between what a person loves doing, what they are good at, what the world needs, and what they can be paid for. It is often used to identify one's perfect role in the world and can be a helpful tool in the backcasting process as we work to identify our place in the world and how we can contribute to the realization of a solar punk future.

Systems change refers to the process of transforming the systems and structures that shape our world in order to create a more just and sustainable future.

Donella Meadows was an inspiring leader, scholar, writer and teacher who researched leverage and systemic change,  who believed in the importance of vision for science and social progress.   Donella Meadows encouraged others to use visioning to achieve their goals. You can see her present the larger work from which I quote in the lecture for this lesson here.

Backcasting is a goal-oriented scenario methodology used to develop future models for planning purposes, such as urban sustainability[1]. It starts by defining a desired future state and then works backwards to identify the steps needed to reach that goal[2]. It is an alternative to forecasting, which is unlikely to generate solutions that break trends or challenge the status quo[3]. Backcasting can be used in combination with other foresight tools such as scenario planning and futures intelligence[2][4][5].

Ecopsychology is an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary field that focuses on the synthesis of ecology and psychology and the promotion of sustainability[1]. It is distinguished from conventional psychology as it focuses on studying the emotional bond between humans and the Earth[1]. Ecopsychology applies ecological and psychological theories and research methodology to study the relationship between people and the natural world, with a focus on wellbeing[2].It has its origins in Sigmund Freud's 1929 book Civilization and Its Discontents ("Das Unbehagen in der Kultur"), which discussed the basic tensions between civilization and the individual[1]. Robert Greenway developed a concept of "a marriage" between ecology and psychology, which he began teaching at Sonoma State University in 1969[1].The effects of nature may go deeper than providing a sense of well-being, helping to reduce crime and aggression[3]. Studies have shown that there are no “randomized, controlled studies” on the effects of nature on human health, but researchers are looking into “forest bathing” — walking in the woods — as well as aerosols from forests that may be inhaled during a walk[3][4].Ecopsychology is indexed/abstracted by several databases including PsycINFO, EBSCOhost, ProQuest, Google Scholar, Scopus, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Academic Search Complete, PsycARTICLES, PubMed Central (PMC), Web of Science Core Collection (ESCI), CrossRef DOI Linking & more[4]. It is under the editorial leadership of Editor-in-Chief Peter H. Kahn Jr., University of Washington Department of Psychology[4].

1. Ecopsychology - Wikipedia

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecopsychology

Ecopsychology. Ecopsychology is an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinarity field that focuses on the synthesis of ecology and psychology and the promotion of sustainability. [1] [2] [3] It is distinguished from conventional psychology as it focuses on studying the emotional bond between humans and the Earth.

2. What is ecopsychology?

https://www.ecopsychology.info/what-is-ecopsychology

1) Ecopsychology applies ecological and psychological theories and research methodology to study the relationship between people and the natural world. There is a focus on wellbeing. (Quote from Palmer, 2014; 2015:2) 2) Ecopsychology studies the relationship between human beings and the natural environment through both ecological and ...

3. Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health

https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-health

The global Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides shows clients how to use immersion in nature for healing. “The forest is the therapist,” the group’s slogan reads. “The guides open the door.”. Studies show that the effects of nature may go deeper than providing a sense of well-being, helping to reduce crime and aggression.

4. Ecopsychology | Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers

https://home.liebertpub.com/publications/ecopsychology/300/overview

Ecopsychology is the only peer-reviewed journal that places psychology and mental health in an ecological context to recognize the links between human health, culture, and the health of the planet.The Journal seeks to reshape modern psychology by showing that it cannot stand apart from an intimate human connection with the natural environment.

How Service Learning and Skilled Volunteering can Bridge Skill Gaps & Social Innovation Gaps to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals

To reach a regenerative future, a key microcosm of the world's thinkers had to gather ... [ in California] over a thirty year period. These people were key because they represented combinations of disciplines and fields that hadn't been in collaboration before that were critical path to reaching a regenerative future. The new fields were neologisms- combinations of existing fields that wouldn't have existed without ... gatherings.

1. Combination of anthropology of climate change, sociology of conservation, and the micro-economics of biodiversity became the field of anthro-resilience

2.Combination of sociology of conservation with systems thinking became sociobiology

3. Combination of biology, physics, and chemistry with economics became biocapitalism

4. The combination of physics with psychology/sociology became neurophysics

5. The combination of neuroscience with ecology became neurobioecology

6.The combination of cell biology and macroeconomics became bioeconomics

7. The combination of chemistry with philosophy became chemopragmatics

8.The combination of paleontology with evolutionary theory became palaeoecology

9. The combination of paleontology with computer science became palynology

10. The combination of epidemiology with medicine into medical epidemiology

11. The combination of climatology with geophysics into climatology

12. The combination of economics with political economy into ecoeconomics

13. The combination of biology with psychology into bioeconomics

14. The combination of mathematics with economics into mathconomics

15. The combination of biology with cosmology into cosmoeconomics

17. The combination of systems sciences with linguistics into semiotics

18. The combination of systems sciences with quantum mechanics into systems biology

19. The combination of systems sciences with computational complexity theory into computational complexity theory

20. The combination of information theory with biology into infobiotechnology

21. The combination of information theory with psychology into infopsychology

22. The combination of informatics with nanoscience into nanoinformation

23. The combination of information theory with psychology into informopsychology

24. The combination of information theory with linguistics into infolinguistics

25. The combination of information theory with linguistics into metalinguistics

26. The combination of information theory with philosophy into infoethics

27. The combination of informatics with psychology into infopsychology

28. The combination of informatics with physics into infospin

29. The combination of informatics with philosophy into infoethics

30. The combination of informatics with music into infomusicology

31. The combination of informatics with physical therapy into infotraspace

32. The combination of informatics with architecture into inframorphology

33. The combination of informatics with engineering into infroengineering

34. The combination of informatics with chemistry into infocoalchemy

35. The combination of informatics with computer science into infocomputation

36. The combination of informatics with physics into infropower

37. The combination of informatics with physics into infrascience

38. The combination of informatics with politics into inforaphy

39. The combination of informatics with history into informhistory

40. The combination of informatics with art into infrafuture

41. The combination of informatics with cosmology into infosculture

42. The combination of informatics with philosophy into infoethics

43. The combination of information science with biology into bioinfosecurity

44. The combination of information science with social computing into infostructure

45. The combination of information science with technology into infotechnology

46. The combination of information science with psychology into infopsychology

47. The combination of information science with statistics into infometrics

48. The combination of information science with computer graphics into infographics

49. The combination of information science with education into infolearn

50. The combination of information science with linguistics into infologeography

51. The combination of information science with medicine into infomedicine

52. The combination of information science with engineering into inforgraphics

53. The combination of information science with genetics into infogenetics

54. The combination of information science with psychology into infopsychology

55. The combination of information science with philosophy into infotheory

56. The combination of information science with politics into infopolitics

57. The combination of information science with philosophy into infopolicy

58. The combination of information science with social computing into infogov

59. The combination of information science with telecommunications into infotels

60. The combination of information science with politics into infopolit

61. The combination of information science with economics into infopolicy

62. The combination of information science with business into infopraxis

63. The combination of information science with geography into infogrid

64. The combination of information science with astronomy into infospace

71. The combination of information science with anthropology into infanthropology

72. The combination of information science with genetics into infopsychology

73. The combination of information science with literature into infography

74. The combination of information science with philosophy into infopolitics

75. The combination of information science with education into infolearn

76. The combination of information science with history into infrefuture

77. The combination of information science with cosmology

78. The combination of information science with religion into infrathistory

79. The combination of information science with astrophysics into infranet

80. The combination of information science with chemistry into infocoalchemy

81. The combination of information science with politics into inforaphy

82. The combination of information science with linguistics into infolinguistics

83. The combination of information science with statistics into infometrics

84. The combination of information science with computer graphics into infographics

85. The combination of information science with journalism into infobar

86. The combination of information science with business into infobiz

87. The combination of information science with medicine into infomedicine

88. The combination of information science with law into infomedic

89. The combination of information science with linguistics into infolinguistics

90. The combination of information science with music into infomusicology

91. The combination of information science with philosophy into infopolitics

92. The combination of information science with mathematics into infogmatics

The most massively multidisciplinary hike ever as an example to work through.