Permacomputing Principles

Permacomputing, inspired by permaculture's ethics of Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share, presents a comprehensive framework for sustainable digital practices. This initiative outlines ten core principles aimed at reducing the environmental and socio-economic impact of computing for everyone, from tech specialists to casual users, and emphasizes a non-prescriptive, context-aware approach to technology design.

• Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst: Design resilient systems by acknowledging limits and potential disruptions, fostering creativity and adaptability.
• Care for All Hardware — Especially the Chips: Prioritize extending the lifespan of hardware to minimize e-waste, challenging the cycle of perpetual consumption inherent in microchip production.
• Observe First: Before implementing solutions, thoroughly analyze the problem to determine if technology is truly necessary or if other interventions are more appropriate.
• Not Doing: Embrace "refusal" as a powerful strategy to curb resource use, question technological inevitability, and resist extractive business models, recognizing the Jevons Paradox.
• Expose The Seams: Counter the myth of seamlessness by making technology's inner workings more transparent to foster critical engagement, understanding, and informed decision-making about resource consumption.
• Consider Carefully The Interaction Between Simplicity, Complexity and Scale: Evaluate the true need for complexity, advocating for simplicity where possible while acknowledging that some problems are inherently intricate, and sometimes partial solutions are best.
• Keep It Flexible: Design systems that are adaptable to varying conditions and purposes, balancing simplicity with the ability to adjust to changes in operating environments and resource availability.
• Build On Solid Ground: Emphasize longevity by using mature technologies, open standards, and well-understood theories to minimize obsolescence and ensure data readability and system durability.
• "Almost" Everything has a place: Reject the notion of technological obsolescence, encouraging the repurposing of existing systems and recognizing computing as a diverse cultural production beyond current dominant paradigms.
• Integrate Biological And Renewable Resources: Aspire to incorporate more sustainable materials and renewable energy sources, critically examining supply chains and fostering a closer relationship with natural ecosystems through crafting and DIY approaches.

Ultimately, permacomputing seeks to guide a shift towards a more thoughtful, resilient, and ecologically conscious relationship with digital technology, encouraging a continuous evolution of its principles based on learning and community engagement.