“Merely assuming that information and communication technology (ICT) would foster the spread of democracy was clearly a failed strategy. (…) The gradual erosion of democracy in our time is being accelerated by the growing, unaccountable power of technology companies (…) Undermining principles have practical consequences (…) Tech’s metastatic and unchecked growth has resulted in real-world violence, instability, and division.” Marietje Schaake (2024). The Tech Coup: How to save democracy from Silicon Valley. Photo by Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC), September 5, 2025.
Response: "(...) The lush greenery suggests a peaceful retreat, promoting relaxation and a sense of well-being. Being surrounded by plants can enhance feelings of contentment, as nature often provides a calming effect. (...) The presence of a small table and chairs indicates a space for reflection or social interaction. Such environments can foster connections with oneself or others, contributing to a sense of fulfillment. (...) Spaces like this encourage mindfulness, allowing individuals to appreciate the moment and their surroundings, which is essential for cultivating contentment. (...) This serene setting contrasts with the hustle of urban life and consumer culture, highlighting the beauty of simplicity and the joy found in small, everyday moments.
Prompt: You said "This serene setting contrasts with the hustle of urban life" and yet this is a city balcony.
Response: "(...) the setting is indeed a city balcony, which adds an interesting layer to the discussion of contentment. The balcony serves as a personal retreat amidst the urban hustle, allowing individuals to escape the noise and chaos of city life, even if just temporarily. (...) Incorporating plants in city living can enhance well-being, providing a connection to nature that is often lacking in densely populated areas. (...) The ability to create a serene space in an urban environment reflects a conscious effort to cultivate contentment, balancing the demands of city life with personal well-being. (...) The arrangement of plants and seating suggests a thoughtful approach to living, where individuals prioritize moments of peace and reflection, even in a bustling city.
Prompt: Do you think it is a good image for what post-growth can be?
Response: "Yes, the image can effectively symbolize the principles of post-growth. (...) Emphasis on Sustainability. The lush plants represent a commitment to sustainability and ecological balance, key tenets of post-growth thinking, which advocates for living within ecological limits. Quality of Life Over Quantity The cozy balcony setting emphasizes the importance of quality of life and well-being over material accumulation, reflecting a shift away from consumerism. Connection to Nature. The presence of greenery highlights the value of integrating nature into daily life, promoting mental health and a sense of community, which are central to post-growth ideals. Intentional Living. The serene atmosphere encourages mindfulness and simplicity, suggesting that fulfillment can come from small, meaningful experiences rather than constant growth and consumption. Urban Resilience. The image illustrates how urban spaces can adapt to promote resilience and sustainability, showcasing a vision for future living that prioritizes harmony with the environment.
«A shift towards an economy of care, craft and creativity (...) is not just about the quality of public services or the possibility of creating decent employment. It's a direct answer to the search for a sustainable prosperity. The quest for the good life. To the desire to live well - within the limits of a finite planet.» Tim Jackson (2025). The Care Economy.
Photo of tapestry «Connected» (81 x 91 cm) by Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC). August 2025.
Labels:
art,
books,
care,
crafts,
creativity,
prosperity,
public services,
sustainability,
tapestry
"É grandiosa no que diz respeito aos seres humanos; menospreza injustificadamente os seres não-humanos; e não reconhece a interdependência e a capacidade de cooperação das criaturas vivas, desde as que existem ao nível macroscópico até aos seres humanos. Em última análise, não reconhece a presença de dispositivos e mecanismos poderosos, presentes na natureza desde o início da vida."
A new cycle begins. “(…) it’s about as full circle as it gets. (…) One day at a time, and suddenly you realize life is brighter, life is lighter. You made it through the storm” (Dunbar, 2024), except, other entities bully your neighbors, make them suffer, threaten them, persecute them, injure them, kill them and destroy everything. And in the end, they hope to live happily and securely ever after? Is this the implosion of humanity, cause surely it is not a vision for a better world...
Lucy Claire Dunbar (2024). The Book of Gifts. Fotografia de Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC), março de 2025.
PS - Banda sonora pode ser a que li no que Flora Graham escreveu no Nature Briefing de 11 de fevereiro de 2025, sobre o músico Cosmo Sheldrake (com Nature) que ajudou investigadores a registar «the wonderful, wet and complex” sounds of the fungi and other organisms in the soil, in the words of evolutionary biologist and co-author Toby Kiers»: soil.
We need to "reinvent movement, the vector of our actions. We need to not forge ahead into the infinite, but learn to step back, to unplug, in the face of the finite. That's another way of liberating yourself. A form of feeling your way, and, curiously, of becoming capable again of reacting." Latour (2023). After Lockdown: metamorphosis.
Photo of tapestry (80 x 74 cm) by Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC) October, 2024.
"To remain aloof from the group while honouring one's organic ties to it; to exist between loneliness and alignment, remaining always a bit of a stranger; to resist the resolution of the narrative, the closing of the circle; to keep looking, to not feel too at home." Isabella Hammad (2024). Recognising the Stranger. Photo by Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC). November, 2024.
"She paused, and ran some sentences through her head, almost hearing herself (...). But she only let the words echo through her head, bouncing around inside her body, some softly vibrating on the tip of her tongue. They remained unsaid." Nick Bradley (2023). Four Seasons in Japan. Photo by Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC). October, 2024.
«Biodiversity is the driver of the farm. If I'm asked "What do you grow?", I say "Biodiversity". The vegetables are a by-product. (...) What I'm trying to do here is to copy the forest." To make farming work, "we need to restore a forest soil ecology, aligning farming with the original ecosystem. (...) Small farmers around the world are seeking such solutions, and have come together to build a global agroecology movement." George Monbiot (2023). Regenesis: Feeding the World without devouring the Planet. Photo by Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC) May 12, 2024.
"The most beautiful thing of all... is whatever you love best." Irene Vallejo (2022). Papyrus: the invention of books in the ancient world. Photo by Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC) 2024.
