I have been a big fan of science fiction my entire life. Back when I was a kid, I couldn’t wait to watch the latest episodes of The Jetsons, Lost in Space, Outer Limits and of course Star Trek. Recently, Thom and I agreed that one of our favorite rides at Disneyland used to be Carousel of Progress. In 1977, the year Thom and I met and married, theaters gifted us with the first Star Wars movie—and we saw it at least seven times that summer along with every sequel and prequel ever since. And let’s not forget books like Dune or everything written by Ursula K. Le Guin or Robert A Heinlein. I think the attraction is the mostly positive vision of life, people and worlds so creatively different—and yes, all wrapped around an adventure. To me, science fiction requires unlimited imagination and open-mindedness. If we can’t imagine something different and yes, impossible—how can we ever hope to create or achieve it? And now, a new sub-genre of science fiction called solarpunk raises that bar in optimistic and innovative ways.
Solarpunk? Until fairly recently I wasn’t familiar with the word either. I’d heard of Steampunk, a genre of sci-fi (science fiction) in a historical setting (think the Wild Wild West on TV or the movies of Jules Verne like 20,000 Leagues under the Sea.) But since then solarpunk supposedly came out as a literary genre, as well as an aesthetic and a mode of thinking around 2005—and yes, solar and other environmentally innovate ideas are included. Wikipedia defines solarpunk as: “… a literary and artistic movement that envisions and works toward actualizing a sustainable future interconnected with nature and community.” What mainly distinguishes it from the umbrella of all science fiction, along with its accompanying artistic and social movement, is a creativity which visualizes collective and ecological utopias where sustainability, technology and humans grow and evolve in harmony.
So what does that really mean? Well, if you like science fiction you’ve probably noticed that a large majority of sci-fi these days focuses on everything going to hell in the future. With AI and robots taking over, the planet destroyed by environmental disasters and aliens arriving to conquer and enslave the human race, it seems the majority of sci-fi “vision” is dystopian. And yes, a major focus of that doom and gloom earned its own sub-genre name: cyberpunk. It’s no wonder that many of us are not fans. But sci-fi is more than that—and solarpunk is a way to imagine and see how life can exist in ways that are positive, uplifting and creative at the same time.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that solarpunk stories are all Pollyannaish. Conflict and challenges always exist. But at the core, the genre attempts to envision a future where technology and humans co-exist and evolve in creative and unusual ways for the betterment of all—along with ecology, sustainability and nature as fundamental. Community is extremely important with equality and acceptance for all. Emphasis is placed on a society of anti-authoritarianism, decentralization, open-source technologies, with shared knowledge and resources. Clearly it is a vision where people and the planet are given priority over business and profit.
Let me give you an example. In the novella A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers we meet a gender-neutral character who goes by the name of Dex who meets and travels with a robot name Mosscap. As Dex searches for meaning and purpose in their world, they explore a creatively imagined world where this is not only possible, but they do it in a way that both confirms classic human needs and desires, and at the same time in a new ingenious and environmentally rich ecosystem. As the friendship between Dex and Mosscap deepens, the two of them explore not only this fascinating world, but ask and answer questions many of us ask ourselves as life goes on. Best of all, it is hopeful and touching story.
So, what does this mean for any of us in our regular lives? Like my last blog post where I shared that protopia is a way of looking at the world that leans toward optimism and away from pessimism, solarpunk envisions new possibilities. It doesn’t deny that difficult and challenging times exist and that we aren’t on the edge of many of those now. But what it does do is provide the hope and encouragement that we have the ability to navigate the future in concert with environment in ways that will resolve issues for the betterment of all. No, it won’t always be easy or look pretty—but slowly over time it can change. And remember a fundamental belief in protopia is that we must be able to envision something before it can be created or happen. Solarpunk is one good way for that envisioning to provide roadmaps into the possible.
Since learning about solarpunk and what it means I’ve been doing some searching for books under this genre. There are plenty to pick from—especially if you appreciate a story that will take you out of the world you think you know and tickle your imagination. You can be sure, if it is found under the genre of solarpunk, that it will value the natural environment, gender inclusivity, egalitarianism, and of course, tech-optimism.
Have you sunk into a state where you can’t imagine how our future will improve? Then one SMART approach would be to explore reading solarpunk fiction. While probably not for everyone—if you enjoy reading, trying new things, and you see yourself as someone who enjoys exploring the impossible in a positive way—then give it a try. I continue to believe that no matter what our age, as long as we are alive it is SMART to stay engaged and work toward creating a better world for ourselves, future generations and yes, the planet herself. Is solarpunk the answer? You tell me.
Disclosure: The title of this post was generated by ChatGPT (AI), but the article itself was created solely by personal human creativity.
Hi Kathy,
You manage to find the most interesting and intriguing genres! I love your openness and willingness to try new things. I like to think I’m the same way. I, too, enjoy science fiction (and fantasy as well) – always have. A fan of Star Trek, Star Wars, Dr. Who, Battlestar Galactica, etc. It’s always fascinated me.
I like the premise behind the solar punk division. I agree there’s a lot of dystopia and, in my opinion, there’s enough negativity in the world. Why not try and read something a little more positive and upbeat? It just might make the world the better place if people worked from a place of exploration than fear.
Thanks for the reading list! All your comments were very insightful as well. A bunch of well thought out ideas from an intriguing bunch of readers. Something to definitely check out!!
Hi Debbie! Glad you appreciated my list and as I said in the post, I do recommend it. But while I do think there needs to be limits on “magical thinking” it just makes sense to me that creating positive story lines for the future is as valid and important as negative (dystopia) storylines don’t you think? As I continually remind myself and anyone else who will listen, if we are “making up the story anyway” –we’d be silly to make up a bad/sad story with all things being equal. If you do read some…pop back in here and mention which ones and let me know what you think. ~Kathy
Lol, I have to admit that dystopia series (usually trilogies) are my guilty pleasure, as long as the good guys win (which they always do!). But you definitely have gotten me curious about solar punk and Pretoria, especially since I have been learning about the power of positive thinking and vision. ??
Hi Bethany! Sorry I missed responding to your comment. Nice to hear from you. And you MUST look up some solar punk stories. They have such a uplifting and optimistic storyline that while sometimes challenging, is always a good vision for our future. I would LOVE to hear what you think of the genre once you dive in?? And I hope all otherwise is good for you. ~Kathy
Thanks for introducing me to both cyberpunk and solarpunk. While I’m not usually a sci-fi reader, I think I might enjoy the positive future spin of a solarpunk read.
Hi Patricia! Like I said to Kate, just check it out and see if I’ve explained it well and whether it catches your interest. Here is just a short list of titles I want to read. Apparently they are some of the best of solarpunk.
1. Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
2. Always coming home by Ursula K Le Guin
3. Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach
4. Suncatcher by Alia Gee
5. The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin
6. The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn
7. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
8. Way Station by Clifford D. Simack
~Kathy
I can always count on you to give me something new to think and learn about. Thank you, Kathy. I’m on the search for solarpunk.
Hi Kate! Check it out. I would love to see what you think of it. Thom found just googling solarpunk and learning about it kind of inspired him. I’m so glad to see this trend growing. ~Kathy
Here is a short list of solarpunk books that are supposedly some of the best.
1. Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
2. Always coming home by Ursula K Le Guin
3. Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach
4. Suncatcher by Alia Gee
5. The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin
6. The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn
7. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
8. Way Station by Clifford D. Simack
Hi, Kathy – I am sadly not a Sci-Fi personI do agree with your closing line 100%. It is very S.M.A.R.T. for each of us to stay engaged and work toward creating a better world for ourselves, future generations and yes, the planet herself.
Hi Donna! I’ve always known you’re not a fan but I can’t help but think you just haven’t found the right book!!! 🙂 And I can’t remember, do you like fantasy? They are somewhat close, and again, a positive story can make a huge difference. If I ever find one I think you would LOVE I will suggest it! ~Kathy
I was surprised to know you love sci-fi. Another side of Kathy I did not know.
I think you captured the sense of hope and optimism in your writing. I was inspired. But not enough to dispel my pessimism.
I dislike dystopian stories, despite Margaret Atwood’s efforts on the topic. Too chilly for me. But each to their own.
Real life has enough sci-fi in it that i don’t need to read about it. I just read the New York Times. Art imitating life.
Sci-fi is an interesting genre nevertheless for its prescience.
Hi Ann! Hahaha….I didn’t know you didn’t know I love sci-fi but everytime I find a good one I certainly watch it on TV/Movies and read when I can. But I do confess if they sci-fi gets too dark or violent I’m really not that interested. Another thing that really appeals to be about solarpunk is that it appears a large majority of its writers are women. Could that be a reason they tell a more optimistic view of the future? Give Solarpunk a try. I think you might like it! ~Kathy
Love this article! I was a Trekkie too! So much science fiction of our youth is playing out in reality today. It’s mind boggling! So much of today’s science fiction is dark, ugly, violent and imagines future demise or extinction for us and our planet. Based on the lifetime experience of an old man approaching sunset, it’s troubling to imagine our future with such an unhappy foretelling.
Your article, however, offers hope and a sense of purpose and duty for today’s writers and dreamers in whose imaginations our future lies. We obviously create our lives and experiences through our imaginations. Let’s build a better future by writing about the best, most positively constructive experiences we can imagine.
Keep up the good work!
Hi Charles! I too find it so encouraging to know that there is now a focus on a more positive sci-fi expression growing and evolving. In many ways Solarpunk reminds me of Dr. Who stories who are usually heartfelt and uplifting BUT solarpunk takes it further by creating worlds where the environment is rich and thriving and where technology and humans work together to create better worlds. I think it is helpful to me to start imagining those kind of worlds rather than the “dark, ugly and violent” worlds that dystopian writers create. Hopefully the message of solarpunk will begin to be more popular in the media and in movies and stories in the future. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!
Having been a studied electronic engineer and technical person for many years, I have practical experience and personal knowledge of science and math. In particular I studied solid state physics and the math surrounding Einstein’s equivalency of energy and mass as well as his theory of relativity. I enjoy science fiction immensely starting with Jules Vern’s masterful novels read as a boy.
For me, science and the fictions surrounding it are two separate things. These theories of energy, mass, and time, apply to particle-physics and not to human beings. Atomic particles are one thing but constructs of them, and certainly biological systems, are separate things. When reading science fiction, I read them as fanciful stories — not a physical possibilities. As a writer of fiction and non-fiction I appreciate the fantasy stories but understand them to be analogues of something else. It might be that a science fiction about cyborgs, anti-gravity, and time-travel cause us to think about ourselves in different ways, discovering something about our personalities that we would not have thought about otherwise.
There is an interesting use of HG Wells “Time Machine” Novel in the Episodic Netflix “Breaking Bad”. it was said that the idea of time-travel is more about human regret (wanting a redo in life) than actual time travel. I suppose I have those types of feelings about it. Although that thought does not deter me from imagining the possibility or appreciating the story by Mr. Wells.
I think we’d all like a re-do or even better to live forever, or minimally, extend our lifespan a few decades in order to correct or repair or change course a few times.
Yes Charles (a fellow, monikered person) agreed. For some reason there is popularization of dystopian times — and the exercise is to imagine ourselves in that. Maybe that helps us to think about the “what ifs” of our world-gone-wrong to understand better how to avoid it.
“The Matrix and Blade Runner” are a couple that come to mind. But these seem to encounter worse times. People are dressed shabbily and eat gruel-like foods or at least less appetizing ones, yet they use amazing anti-gravity crafts to ride in and have fantastic weapons. You’d think having that technology would also mean that they have new-age clothing and medicines that extend life and eliminate the need for war.
The concept of “redos” might be attractive, or living longer. Still, maybe its possible to get it right the first time. I’m wondering what science or technology it would take for that to happen!
Hi Chuck! Thanks for sharing your perspective on science and fiction. If I understood what you said it appears that you don’t see science fiction as it applies to the human experience? I’m not sure I understand that. To me all fiction tells the stories of humans living, facing challenges, loving, growing, becoming and the background –be it historical, current or futuristic is just the world that the author has created from those experiences. I guess you could call tham “fanciful stories” but isn’t all fiction somewhat the same? I do completely agree that all “science fiction about cyborgs, anti-gravity, and time-travel cause us to think about ourselves in different ways, discovering something about our personalities that we would not have thought about otherwise.” But it can be said that all fiction does the same. I am just finding that I prefer the science fiction I do read to trend toward solarpunk rather than dystopian. Thanks again for adding a different depth to this conversation. ~Kathy
Yeah, Kathy, cool stuff. For me science and fiction are mutually exclusive concepts — I’m probably burdened by my scientific background. But I agree that trying out fanciful ideas can be meaningful. Like trying on different outfits, we can always do that to see what we look like.
The dystopian vs solarpunk — storytelling, entertainment, music, fashion, typically is a reflection of the current state of society. Why dystopian is so popular, likely reflects how we feel about our times as a whole. I LIKE the idea of solarpunk being more hopeful and positive. It would be great to learn some lessons from that and inspire us to have a better outlook about ourselves. I’m with you on that!