Results from the GAP (Group Assembly Process) Group Technology and Production at the Degrowth Conference in Leipzig 2014

Can hightech be produced democratically & sustainably in a degrowth society?

Vision
> Open source learning spaces
> > Open educational resources, open source software and open source hard ware in schools
> > Tinkering & Do-It-Yourself learning spaces
> > Commons vs intellectual properties
> Intuitive technology designed for all
> > Public, transparent & need -oriented technology development
> > More crowd funded projects
> > co-design & prosumers
> Non-violent and cooperative production from raw materials to technology [High-tech coops]
> > Improve current conditions of industrial production
> > Learn to make & repair things in Fablabs
> > reuse up-cycle & recycle what is already around
> > reduce dependency on critical materials
> Opening technology for all genders and backgrounds: change dominant image of technology
> > from technocracy to down to earth
> > fight gender stereotypes in education
> > men reflecting their behavior in male dominated environments

Controversial issues
> Criteria for technological assessment
> Moratorium for “bad” technology
> Distinction between low-middle-high tech

Stirring papers:
> A normative framework for the development and use of technologies in the degrowth context
> How to produce for degrowth? Rediscovering manual skills and peasantry
> FabLabs, 3D-printing and degrowth – Democratisation and deceleration of production or a new consumptive boom producing more waste?

More information and possibilities to engage!