From imperial to convivial technology

The "imperial mode of living" (Ulrich Brand/Markus Wissen) of the global middle and upper classes has led to the massive biosphere crisis we are currently faced with globally. A fundamental building block to this mode of living is "imperial technology": Infrastructures and devices with which we communicate, keep ourselves warm, ensure transportation and many more things, using and consuming both human labour and non-human gifts from other parts of the world. In contrast, what are the criteria that "convivial technology“, i.e. appropriate infrastructures and devices in the service of life, has to meet? What is the role that convivial technologies can and should play in and for social-ecological transformation, and where can we find examples here and now?

About the speaker:
Andrea Vetter is a transformation researcher, activist, journalist, friend and mother, using degrowth, commons and critical eco-feminism as tools. She is co-author of The Future is Degrowth (Verso, 2022). She is co-founder of the post local rural cultural and activist hub “Haus des Wandels”, located in eastern Brandenburg. She is editor of the popular magazine for transformation “Oya” and fellow of the “laboratoy for new economic ideas” in Leipzig.

Note: Event in English

The event will take place hybrid, so you can also join online via the following link: https://b-tu.webex.com/meet/stefanie.gerold