The Problem With Technological Solutionism

Topics: Capitalism, global inequality, gender

Age: 10+ Group size: 8-20 Duration: 1.5 hours

Preparation:

Introduction:

Role play descriptions

This activity is adapted from a map produced by the German organisations PowerShift and the Environment Institute Munich. Its aim is to look at the many different climate struggles around the globe and to consider and discuss their interconnectedness.

Step by step instructions:

1. Begin with a brainstorming about which climate struggles people are aware of in plenary. As people call them out, place notes on the world map relating to their location. - Ask the question about what constitutes a climate movement? Are struggles for equality or against police violence also linked to climate activism for example? (15 mins)

2. Divide the group into smaller groups of around 3-5. Then ask each group to take 3 climate struggles to work on, either those from the brainstorming, or those provided in Annexe 1

3. Have the groups play their scenarios, and discuss after each one. Use questions for the discussion such as: - What are the problems of technological solutionism? - Are technological intervention and social intervention opposites? - What happens with new technologies under capita lism? - What is the global perspective? - Why do people often support technological solutionism? At the very end of the session, do a quick de-rolling exercise (such as everyone ‘shaking off’ their roles in the circle) to get people out of character.

Online adaptation

This can be prepared using breakout rooms and sending the descriptions to the different chats.

Tips and variations

- You can add various roles to the scenarios to fit the topics you are working on - It is good to precede this exercise with a theatre game, creative exercise or energizer to get everyone in the mood for roleplaying

Annex 1 :

Participants should spend around 20 minutes discussing the roles and preparing arguments for their particular roles or discussing how they feel about the issues from within the roles. If there are more people than roles, those not playing, can assist in preparing, or roles can be added suggested by the group.

3. Have the groups play their scenarios, and discuss after each one. Use questions for the discussion such as: - What are the problems of technological solutionism? - Are technological intervention and social intervention opposites? - What happens with new technologies under capita lism? - What is the global perspective? - Why do people often support technological solutio nism? At the very end of the session, do a quick de-rolling exercise (such as everyone ‘shaking off’ their roles in the circle) to get people out of character.

Online adaptation

This can be prepared using breakout rooms and sending the descriptions to the different chats.

Tips and variations

- You can add various roles to the scenarios to fit the topics you are working on - It is good to precede this exercise with a theatre game, creative exercise or energizer to get everyone in the mood for roleplaying

Annex 1 :

Participants should spend around 20 minutes discussing the roles and preparing arguments for their particular roles or discussing how they feel about the issues from within the roles. If there are more people than roles, those not playing, can assist in preparing, or roles can be added suggested by the group.

(1) Roundtable discussion for uses of technology: The group should choose a particular technological advancement that might help combat climate change (e.g. renewable energy, green new deal, electric cars)

The roleplay is a meeting of different parties discussing how to use these technologies. The roles are: - Scientist: you are trying to think about what is most effective in combatting climate change - Government: you are thinking about what is best for the national interest (you might want to have participants playing a country of the global north and south) - Corporation: the technological advance should create profit for your company, and also ensure profits in the future to come. - Citizens: You are concerned about your day to day lives: cost of living, effects of climate change and stability. (Again, you may wish to have groups from North and South here) - Children: You are particularly concerned about the future and the situation of children and young people. (Again, you may wish to have groups from North and South here)

(2) Debate, technology versus social-ecological transformation: This roleplay is a simple debate between those arguing for technology or social change as the solution. The third group is made up of “the people” who ask questions and must decide in the end. The roles are:

- Technological solutionists: you believe in science and can see clearly how different technological advances will combat the worst extremes of climate change, all around the world. Technology is a neutral instrument that can help maintain stability in different societies by removing the negative effects of climate change that create structural tensions.

- Activists for social change: you believe the way the world is dominated by capitalist competition will always mean that nature is under threat, because short-term profits are prioritized over people’s wellbeing. Technology can help, but under the current system it is always unevenly distributed and focused towards creating more profits, meaning that you believe in a general restructuring of the way our societies work to reduce competition and increase a focus on people’s wellbeing. - The people: you are worried about climate change and what it will mean for the future. You are interested in solutions that will secure a safe future for you and your friends. For this reason you have come to the debate to listen to the different arguments and decide what might be the best way to go about this.

(3) Chatshow · technology and equality This roleplay sees the guests discussing how certain technological advancements have affected equality, and what the sideeffects have been. The roles are:

- Chatshow host: your role is to introduce the show and ask the guests the various questions. - Guests: these can be anyone you like, politicians, celebrities, yourselves. Try to discuss in such a way to address different arguments. Examples:

- The invention of many labour saving device for housework such as washing machines and dishwashers were said by some to help liberate women as they make this feminized domestic work easier. Was this the case?

- When production methods increase to make things faster, it might seem that this means people must work less, has this happened? - Global food production today is easily enough to feed everyone on the planet, yet still millions go hungry, what are the reasons for this? - Can renewable energy alone stop climate change?