November

"(...) new ideas often travel from the margins and the shadows and move to the center". Rebecca Solnit (2025). No Straight Road Takes You There. Photo by Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC) November, 2025.

November

“The organized expression of collective interests is what gives shape and meaning to democracy, and requires trust, continuity, structure – and the willingness of people to join things”. Yuan Yang, 2024. Why We Should Join Things. In Democracy: Eleven Writers and Leaders on what it is – and why it matters. Image of tapestry «Democracy vessel» (83 x 80 cm). November 2025. Below, fresh flowers of agapanthus collected in July. Dry flowers. Multipurpose tools used during work. 

All photos by Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC).

November

“We need to step outside the machine in order to comprehend how it is working and where it is failing us”. Step into Nature, “a generous teacher, if we can only manage to slow down and listen to what it is saying”. Nature is the system of systems, running with stunning complexity, based in feedback loops “allowing natural ecosystems to continue in equilibrium for eons” even if some “have failed to notice, let alone appreciate”, others haven't. 

“Democracy, too, is a delicate ecosystem – of checks and balances, rights and needs, power and accountability, It requires a healthy, functioning environment and a diverse community of interacting organisms”. It also requires feedback loops. “Our voices matter. Stories bring us together. Silences keep us apart” and erase democracy, in our country and in other's countries. Democracy is interconnected. Worldwide.

Elif Shafak, 2024. Terra Incognita. In Democracy: Eleven Writers and Leaders on what it is – and why it matters. 

Foto Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC). October 30, 2025.

October

Thinking about the growing impact of artificial intelligence on electricity consumption, the vulnerabilities in energy security concerning critical mineral supply chains, within a fragile geopolitical and economic context, and the impacts of climate change already evident in our daily lives, I sent the prompt.

It would be wise for us to employ more people and less artificial intelligence. AI requires many finite critical materials, creates geopolitical and economic wars, and end-of-life hazardous waste. As for people, they use less energy, are abundant, can teach each other, and, at the end of life, they are organic and decompose.

On the monitor, I received the wording that this reflection stimulates debates about digital sustainability, where the "logic is clear”, according to the LLM I used.

"AI is not “immaterial”: it demands enormous amounts of energy, critical materials (lithium, cobalt, rare earths), cooling water, and generates technological waste.

Scarcity and geopolitical risks: the demand for critical minerals is already causing international tension.

Life cycle: servers and chips have a short lifespan, creating electronic waste that is difficult to recycle."

Regarding «human capital» (instead of «people», like I used in my prompt), the LLM wrote:

"Human capital is renewable: people can learn, adapt, and collaborate without generating comparable environmental impacts.

Social efficiency: many tasks that are currently automated could be performed by humans with a smaller ecological footprint, if there is investment in training and valuing work." 

It then suggested a comparative table «AI vs Human Capital» regarding energy, materials, environmental impacts, flexibility, and what it termed hidden costs. I accepted.

After the table, it left a conclusion: 

“This table shows that AI has a significantly greater ecological and material footprint, while human capital is more sustainable and adaptable.” (bold from the LLM tool) 

At a time when billions are being invested in artificial solutions, incurring monumental costs for the environment, instead of investing in natural and human capital, it is ironic that this conclusion comes from an AI tool and does not feature among global political priorities.

Photo by Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC). October 30, 2025.

September

“Be brave. Be Kind. And then act. Because it’s action, however imperfect, that begins to bend the world towards justice, towards compassion, and towards change”. Tirana Hassan, September 2025.

Photo by Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC), September, 2025.

September

“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.

post-growth

Prompt: Contentment is anathema to capitalism. 

Response: "Capitalism thrives on the idea that individuals will always want more, driving demand and innovation. Contentment can dampen this drive. (...) If people are satisfied with their current situation, they may not engage in the consumer behaviors that fuel economic expansion. (...) This dynamic raises interesting questions about the balance between personal fulfillment and economic systems." 

Prompt: Relation of contentment with the photo.

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.

Photo by Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC), August 20, 2025.

August

"It has become quite difficult to remember the simple fact about humankind. Its magical power and its beauty is only visible when you too are there, without the mirrors, and only when you are close enough to touch one another". Ece Temelkuran (2025). Together: a manifesto against a heartless world. Photo by Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC).

Sustainable prosperity

«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.

Garden design as Art

"(...) bear in mind that garden design as it is studied by the one nation which really understands it - the Japanese - takes many years of serious application to reach perfection. It is a very high art". Frances Wolseley (1919). Gardens: their form and design. Found and suggested by paula simoes' blog. Photo by Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC), July 13, 2025.

PS - The Countryman's Log Book

July

Earth, Mogli. Photo of Kaya by Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC), June 15, 2019. Cats.

July

“(…) the whole world is crumbling and we can do more than ask for hope. And what if there is no hope? Do we just lie down and accept our fate? Or, a more dangerous question: what if there is hope? Are they ready to do what it takes? (…) she looked like one of those rare women who had earned the lines on her face. ‘They mean something else when they speak of hope’ (…) ‘Think about faith’ (…) ‘Not the religious kind.’ So I did”. Ece Temelkuran (2025). Together: a Manifesto Against a Heartless World. Foto Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC), July 2025.

July

“The will to touch reality” and all the “beings within it was as simple as the urge to breathe, and breathe together”. The Tree was right. “After all, one cannot hesitate when it comes to breathing. And one learns that breathing in difficult times is something that requires” other beings “to help you do it properly”. Ece Temelkuran (2025). Together: a Manifesto against a Heartless world. Foto Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC), June 23, 2025.

Solstice

Developing self-confidence "empowers you to overcome your ego, acknowledge your deficiencies, and start on the path to doing and being better." Shane Parrish, 2023. Clear Thinking: the art and science of making better decisions.  Foto by Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC).

June

Photo by Monica Pinheiro CC BY-NC-SA (CC).

...

"When we keep a safe distance from reality, we fail to understand that those inside it are fighting with everything they have. The uneasiness of the spectator, her feelings of guilt and helplessness, are simply irrelevant." Ece Temelkuran (2025). Together: a manifesto against a heartless world.