The problem with Solarpunk as a fiction genre is that it’s much harder to write than any of the other --punks. Solarpunk has a positive bent to it in comparison to the usual cynical tone that the others have. This makes drama and friction appear to be much less of a problem for the characters in the world.
There is a way to do it, but it’s harder because you can’t use the same story template that the others use.
It’s not that hard to imagine either. My mind immediately jumps to a sort of post-apocalypse where climate change caused the governments of the world to collapse. Sounds bleak at first, but you can make the setting solarpunk by showing how people adapted to live in the new world sustainably, and are thriving in the absence of oppressive hierarchies maintained by corporations and states. The external threat could take all kinds of forms, but I think the most compelling would be a cyberpunk city-state that survived the collapse and is now attempting to re-establish governance over the thriving solarpunks.
In your opinion, what’s a good example of a well written Solarpunk story? How about another one that is at least well known in pop culture?
I’d say “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” could be one good example. Perhaps a little more post-apocalyptic, but it’s got all the markings of positive change, societal sustainability, and environmentalism, along with futuristic sci-fi world building. Both the anime and manga are fantastic, but I guess not too prominent in Western pop culture.
The problem with Solarpunk as a fiction genre is that it’s much harder to write than any of the other --punks. Solarpunk has a positive bent to it in comparison to the usual cynical tone that the others have. This makes drama and friction appear to be much less of a problem for the characters in the world.
There is a way to do it, but it’s harder because you can’t use the same story template that the others use.
Failure of imagination really. A newly established status quo always has its ghosts to reckon with, and its detractors.
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It’s not that hard to imagine either. My mind immediately jumps to a sort of post-apocalypse where climate change caused the governments of the world to collapse. Sounds bleak at first, but you can make the setting solarpunk by showing how people adapted to live in the new world sustainably, and are thriving in the absence of oppressive hierarchies maintained by corporations and states. The external threat could take all kinds of forms, but I think the most compelling would be a cyberpunk city-state that survived the collapse and is now attempting to re-establish governance over the thriving solarpunks.
I feel like that’s kind of what Shinsekai Yori is
In the context of anime, a CGDCT show with a solarpunk aesthetic wouldn’t seem out of place.
And on that note I can recommend “Do it Yourself!!”, probably the closest to that we have at the moment and a nice watch if you’re into the genre.
God i didn’t know i wanted that u til you said it
Anne of Silicon Gables
In your opinion, what’s a good example of a well written Solarpunk story? How about another one that is at least well known in pop culture?
I’d say “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” could be one good example. Perhaps a little more post-apocalyptic, but it’s got all the markings of positive change, societal sustainability, and environmentalism, along with futuristic sci-fi world building. Both the anime and manga are fantastic, but I guess not too prominent in Western pop culture.
Just sounds like star trek