Teach on Udemy

Turn what you know into an opportunity and reach millions around the world.

Learn More

Your cart is empty.

Keep shopping

Backcasting from a solar punk future using generative AI

Name: Backcasting from a solar punk future using generative AI
Rating: 4.3 (32 reviews)

Chat GPT, Global wisdom, NovelAI, working backwards from solar punk futures for yourself and your systems change efforts

Created byBobby Fishkin, Day Sanchez, Saskia

Last updated 6/2024

English

What you'll learn

Understand the concept of backcasting and its benefits as a planning and decision-making tool that can leverage global wisdom & generative AI.
Use generative AI as a co-creative force in the backcasting process and utilize AI to identify missing institutions, fields of knowledge of relevance
Understand the role of humans as living bridges to a solar punk future and identify the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective steward and macro-leader
Utilize AI to generate credible fiction that reflects both hopeful and realistic aspirations for a solar punk future
Conduct a gap analysis and design scenarios for how to achieve a solar punk future using tactical and strategic backcasting methods.
Identify key systems that need to be changed in order to achieve a solar punk future and use the concept of Ikigai to identify one's perfect role in the world.
Understand the role of AI in co-creation and how it can be used to generate credible fiction.
Develop a vision for a solar punk future that is both hopeful and realistic, utilizing AI to generate credible fiction and overcome limitations on dreaming.
Understand the importance in the backcasting process of drawing inspiration from global wisdom to inform your vision for the future.
Learn how to use backcasting as a tool for creating a hopeful and realistic vision for the future and how to utilize it in your social innovations,work & life,

Course content

10 sections • 68 lectures • 4h 34m total length

Learning more about global wisdom traditions for context3:39
What inspirational future would you love to get to?
Background on backcasting to a solar punk future6:10
Introduction: How do we work towards a future that we want to get to?3:21
“Ability and agility for our sensibilities to reflect and refract in this way”1:21
Backcasting on a global scale to reach a future should aim toward (Nick Gogerty)1:57
Can you backcast regarding overcoming global problems? Yes, you can, according to Nick Gogerty.
What fractal of a solar punk future generates roles fit for your inner child?6:16
What fractal of a solar punk future will generate roles fit for your inner child?
"I've been backcasting my whole life"- Mark Smith3:05
How do you use backcasting in your life?3:34
How to use backcasting in your life by Day Sanchez of https://www.2eminds.com/
Mimick-to-remember-wisdom-traditions2:49
How mimicking wisdom traditions can help us learn wisdom traditions to backcast with, by Nikki of Loving Eats (https://lovingeats.com/about/#team)

Introduction0:52
Sensemaking generative AI drawing on global wisdom.
It is important to draw on global wisdom traditions in making sense of generative AI and its potential uses aligned to the needs an dinterests of humans and biodiversity. We will cover a range of ways of making sense of the world through wise approaches drawn from a global context: Kaitiakitanga, Wu wei, Ubuntu, Ikigai, Cynefin, Mokoro, Wabi-sabi, Friluftsliv, Sarung Banggi, Jugaad, Mudita, Kaizen, Tonglen, and Shoshin.
Kaitiakitanga, for example, is a Maori term that refers to the responsible stewardship of natural resources, and can be applied to the use of generative AI in ensuring that technology is developed and used in a way that is respectful and sustainable.
Wu wei, a concept from Taoist philosophy, emphasizes the importance of non-action or non-striving in achieving goals, and can be applied to the development of generative AI technologies that operate in a more natural, effortless manner.
Ubuntu, a philosophy from the Bantu people of Africa, emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of all living beings, and can be applied to the use of generative AI in promoting collaboration and cooperation among humans and technology.
Ikigai, a Japanese concept, refers to the sense of purpose and meaning in life, and can be applied to the use of generative AI in helping individuals and organizations find and pursue their goals and passions.
Cynefin, a framework developed by Dave Snowden, emphasizes the importance of context in decision-making and problem-solving, and can be applied to the use of generative AI in understanding and adapting to complex, dynamic environments.
Mokoro, a term from the Okavango Delta in Botswana, refers to the traditional mode of transportation in the region, and can be applied to the use of generative AI in developing technologies that are adaptable and resilient in challenging or unfamiliar environments.
Wabi-sabi: This is a Japanese concept that refers to the beauty of imperfection and impermanence. It could be used to explain how generative AI can be used to create solutions that embrace change and impermanence, rather than trying to control or stabilize everything.
Friluftsliv: This is a Norwegian term that refers to the idea of spending time in nature and embracing outdoor activities. It could be used to explain how generative AI can be used to create solutions that foster a sense of connection to the natural world.
Sarung Banggi: This is a term from the Tagalog language of the Philippines that refers to the practice of working together to accomplish a task or goal. It could be used to explain how generative AI can be used to create solutions that involve collaboration and mutual support.
Jugaad: This is a term from Hindi that refers to the practice of finding creative, resourceful solutions to problems. It could be used to explain how generative AI can be used to create solutions that are innovative and
Ikigai, a Japanese concept, refers to the sense of purpose and meaning in life, and can be applied to the use of generative AI in helping individuals and organizations find and pursue their goals and passions. Ikigai is a Japanese concept that refers to the overlap between what a person loves doing, what they are good at, what the world needs, and what they can be paid for. It is often used to identify one's perfect role in the world and can be a helpful tool in the backcasting process as we work to identify our place in the world and how we can contribute to the realization of a solar punk future.
Systems change refers to the process of transforming the systems and structures that shape our world in order to create a more just and sustainable future.
Learning objectives1:04
Donella Meadows on Vision2:18
Donella Meadows was an inspiring leader, scholar, writer and teacher who researched leverage and systemic change, who believed in the importance of vision for science and social progress. Donella Meadows encouraged others to use visioning to achieve their goals. You can see her present the larger work from which I quote in the lecture for this lesson here.
Intrinsic Motivation1:21
Introduction to the example we will be working with throughout our courae1:37
Use cases for regenerative AI (ChatGPT, NovelAI etc.)0:57
Questions to ask for a social innovation strategy in anticipation of the future0:43
Backcasting example (ChatGPT)1:27
Prompt engineering aspirationally for your social innovation objective0:43
About backcasting0:33
About protopias0:23
Backcasting vs scenario planning0:19
Backcasting is a goal-oriented scenario methodology used to develop future models for planning purposes, such as urban sustainability[1]. It starts by defining a desired future state and then works backwards to identify the steps needed to reach that goal[2]. It is an alternative to forecasting, which is unlikely to generate solutions that break trends or challenge the status quo[3]. Backcasting can be used in combination with other foresight tools such as scenario planning and futures intelligence[2][4][5].
From Perplexity AI on Design Thinking1:46
Scenario planning vs strategic planning (from Perplexity AI)1:49

Backcasting from principles0:57
Regenerative Futures0:20
Systems thinking0:40
Ecopsychology1:54

Ecopsychology is an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary field that focuses on the synthesis of ecology and psychology and the promotion of sustainability[1]. It is distinguished from conventional psychology as it focuses on studying the emotional bond between humans and the Earth[1]. Ecopsychology applies ecological and psychological theories and research methodology to study the relationship between people and the natural world, with a focus on wellbeing[2].It has its origins in Sigmund Freud's 1929 book Civilization and Its Discontents ("Das Unbehagen in der Kultur"), which discussed the basic tensions between civilization and the individual[1]. Robert Greenway developed a concept of "a marriage" between ecology and psychology, which he began teaching at Sonoma State University in 1969[1].The effects of nature may go deeper than providing a sense of well-being, helping to reduce crime and aggression[3]. Studies have shown that there are no “randomized, controlled studies” on the effects of nature on human health, but researchers are looking into “forest bathing” — walking in the woods — as well as aerosols from forests that may be inhaled during a walk[3][4].Ecopsychology is indexed/abstracted by several databases including PsycINFO, EBSCOhost, ProQuest, Google Scholar, Scopus, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Academic Search Complete, PsycARTICLES, PubMed Central (PMC), Web of Science Core Collection (ESCI), CrossRef DOI Linking & more[4]. It is under the editorial leadership of Editor-in-Chief Peter H. Kahn Jr., University of Washington Department of Psychology[4].

1. Ecopsychology - Wikipedia
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecopsychology
Ecopsychology. Ecopsychology is an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinarity field that focuses on the synthesis of ecology and psychology and the promotion of sustainability. [1] [2] [3] It is distinguished from conventional psychology as it focuses on studying the emotional bond between humans and the Earth.
2. What is ecopsychology?
https://www.ecopsychology.info/what-is-ecopsychology
1) Ecopsychology applies ecological and psychological theories and research methodology to study the relationship between people and the natural world. There is a focus on wellbeing. (Quote from Palmer, 2014; 2015:2) 2) Ecopsychology studies the relationship between human beings and the natural environment through both ecological and ...
3. Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health
https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-health
The global Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides shows clients how to use immersion in nature for healing. “The forest is the therapist,” the group’s slogan reads. “The guides open the door.”. Studies show that the effects of nature may go deeper than providing a sense of well-being, helping to reduce crime and aggression.
4. Ecopsychology | Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
https://home.liebertpub.com/publications/ecopsychology/300/overview
Ecopsychology is the only peer-reviewed journal that places psychology and mental health in an ecological context to recognize the links between human health, culture, and the health of the planet.The Journal seeks to reshape modern psychology by showing that it cannot stand apart from an intimate human connection with the natural environment.
Self-determination theory1:14
Solar punk0:33
Comprehensive Anticipatory Design Science1:42
What is impact investing?1:16
Systems change resources0:11
Service learning- Ikigai purpose alignment function stacking mission & learning1:43
How Service Learning and Skilled Volunteering can Bridge Skill Gaps & Social Innovation Gaps to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals
Positive deviance via Perplexity AI1:30
Find solar punk examples

Chat GPT as a Design Science Partner8:37
Ikigai, Self-determination Theory, PerplexityAI3:37
Ikigai Perplexity AI0:53
Ikigai (perplexityAI)1:51
Design science partner for considering social innovation scenarios (ChatGPT)2:41
Cynefin & Perplexity AI0:48
Foresight with the accuracy of hindsight with backcasting via ChatGPT & NovelAI4:50
Combinations of disciplines (from Novel AI)3:27
To reach a regenerative future, a key microcosm of the world's thinkers had to gather ... [ in California] over a thirty year period. These people were key because they represented combinations of disciplines and fields that hadn't been in collaboration before that were critical path to reaching a regenerative future. The new fields were neologisms- combinations of existing fields that wouldn't have existed without ... gatherings.
1. Combination of anthropology of climate change, sociology of conservation, and the micro-economics of biodiversity became the field of anthro-resilience
2.Combination of sociology of conservation with systems thinking became sociobiology
3. Combination of biology, physics, and chemistry with economics became biocapitalism
4. The combination of physics with psychology/sociology became neurophysics
5. The combination of neuroscience with ecology became neurobioecology
6.The combination of cell biology and macroeconomics became bioeconomics
7. The combination of chemistry with philosophy became chemopragmatics
8.The combination of paleontology with evolutionary theory became palaeoecology
9. The combination of paleontology with computer science became palynology
10. The combination of epidemiology with medicine into medical epidemiology
11. The combination of climatology with geophysics into climatology
12. The combination of economics with political economy into ecoeconomics
13. The combination of biology with psychology into bioeconomics
14. The combination of mathematics with economics into mathconomics
15. The combination of biology with cosmology into cosmoeconomics
17. The combination of systems sciences with linguistics into semiotics
18. The combination of systems sciences with quantum mechanics into systems biology
19. The combination of systems sciences with computational complexity theory into computational complexity theory
20. The combination of information theory with biology into infobiotechnology
21. The combination of information theory with psychology into infopsychology
22. The combination of informatics with nanoscience into nanoinformation
23. The combination of information theory with psychology into informopsychology
24. The combination of information theory with linguistics into infolinguistics
25. The combination of information theory with linguistics into metalinguistics
26. The combination of information theory with philosophy into infoethics
27. The combination of informatics with psychology into infopsychology
28. The combination of informatics with physics into infospin
29. The combination of informatics with philosophy into infoethics
30. The combination of informatics with music into infomusicology
31. The combination of informatics with physical therapy into infotraspace
32. The combination of informatics with architecture into inframorphology
33. The combination of informatics with engineering into infroengineering
34. The combination of informatics with chemistry into infocoalchemy
35. The combination of informatics with computer science into infocomputation
36. The combination of informatics with physics into infropower
37. The combination of informatics with physics into infrascience
38. The combination of informatics with politics into inforaphy
39. The combination of informatics with history into informhistory
40. The combination of informatics with art into infrafuture
41. The combination of informatics with cosmology into infosculture
42. The combination of informatics with philosophy into infoethics
43. The combination of information science with biology into bioinfosecurity
44. The combination of information science with social computing into infostructure
45. The combination of information science with technology into infotechnology
46. The combination of information science with psychology into infopsychology
47. The combination of information science with statistics into infometrics
48. The combination of information science with computer graphics into infographics
49. The combination of information science with education into infolearn
50. The combination of information science with linguistics into infologeography
51. The combination of information science with medicine into infomedicine
52. The combination of information science with engineering into inforgraphics
53. The combination of information science with genetics into infogenetics
54. The combination of information science with psychology into infopsychology
55. The combination of information science with philosophy into infotheory
56. The combination of information science with politics into infopolitics
57. The combination of information science with philosophy into infopolicy
58. The combination of information science with social computing into infogov
59. The combination of information science with telecommunications into infotels
60. The combination of information science with politics into infopolit
61. The combination of information science with economics into infopolicy
62. The combination of information science with business into infopraxis
63. The combination of information science with geography into infogrid
64. The combination of information science with astronomy into infospace
71. The combination of information science with anthropology into infanthropology
72. The combination of information science with genetics into infopsychology
73. The combination of information science with literature into infography
74. The combination of information science with philosophy into infopolitics
75. The combination of information science with education into infolearn
76. The combination of information science with history into infrefuture
77. The combination of information science with cosmology
78. The combination of information science with religion into infrathistory
79. The combination of information science with astrophysics into infranet
80. The combination of information science with chemistry into infocoalchemy
81. The combination of information science with politics into inforaphy
82. The combination of information science with linguistics into infolinguistics
83. The combination of information science with statistics into infometrics
84. The combination of information science with computer graphics into infographics
85. The combination of information science with journalism into infobar
86. The combination of information science with business into infobiz
87. The combination of information science with medicine into infomedicine
88. The combination of information science with law into infomedic
89. The combination of information science with linguistics into infolinguistics
90. The combination of information science with music into infomusicology
91. The combination of information science with philosophy into infopolitics
92. The combination of information science with mathematics into infogmatics
Combinations of fields in paragraph form1:45

Conclusion0:43
Artists and AI: A conversation with Bobby Fishkin0:05
Bonus: Solarpunk Art Contest Opportunity4:03
The purpose of this Bonus is to invite students to create solarpunk art depicting images of people building a regenerative/solarpunk future.
Students are encouraged to enter the Solarpunk Art Contest for opportunities to win prizes and participate in a Solarpunk Art exhibition, but this is only optional and not required to complete the course.
Visit the Resources section and see the video titled "Solarpunk Intro" for a brief description of Solarpunk.
For more information, visit the first link in the Resources Section titled: "Solarpunk Art Contest Information"
Instructions:
Create a visual representation of a person, group, entire family, or family member engaged in an action or behavior aligned with a solarpunk future. The format can be any visual medium: digital, ink, photography, paint 3D, AI-generated, etc.
Here are some ideas to inspire your creative flow:
What is each person doing?
How are they being active citizens?
How are they interacting with nature?
How are they interacting with other people?
How are they interacting with technology?
How are they contributing to a life-affirming society?
How are they taking care of themselves?
How are they taking care of the planet?
How are they supporting others?
How are they developing their inner abilities?
How are they channeling their energy?
How are they promoting sustainability and regeneration?
How are they demonstrating inclusivity, empathy, and respect for biodiversity, neurodiversity, and all forms of human diversity?
How are they creating solutions to build a solarpunk future?
How are they collaborating across generations?
How are they in harmony with other systems?
What steps are they taking to be a positive force for change in society?
Send your final artwork to solarpunkgeneration@gmail.com with the subject line "Solarpunk Generation Art Submission"
For more information:
https://www.2eminds.com/solarpunk-art-contest/

Requirements

ChatGPT
NovelAI
PerplexityAI
Hopes for the future
A stewardship of either a personal scale or a social innovation scale/collective scale systems change.
There are no specific requirements or prerequisites for taking this course. However, it would be helpful for learners to have some basic understanding of planning and decision-making processes, as well as an openness to exploring the potential of AI and its role in co-creation. Additionally, having some familiarity with the concept of Ikigai and systems change may also be beneficial. No specific tools or equipment are required for this course.

Description

Welcome to our virtual course on Backcasting from a Solar Punk Future using Generative AI: Chat GPT, Global Wisdom, NovelAI, and Systems Change!

Are you ready to co-create a hopeful and realistic vision for the world with the help of advanced artificial intelligence and global wisdom? Then this course is for you!

Through this course, you will learn how to use backcasting as a powerful tool for planning and decision-making, leveraging the power of generative AI and chat GPT to explore what is possible and what is needed to achieve a solar punk future. You will also learn how to utilize the concept of ikigai to identify your perfect role in the world and how to use systems change to transform the systems and structures that shape our world.

Using these powerful tools and techniques, you will work backwards from a solar punk future to identify the steps needed to get there and how you can contribute to the realization of this aspirational and feasible vision.

Join us on this journey to co-create a better future for ourselves and the world!

Here are some reasons why someone might love this course:

They want to learn how to use backcasting as a powerful tool for planning and decision-making.
They are interested in using generative AI and chat GPT to explore what is possible and what is needed to achieve a solar punk future.
They want to learn how to utilize the concept of ikigai to identify their perfect role in the world and contribute to the realization of a solar punk future.
They are interested in learning how to use systems change to transform the systems and structures that shape our world.
They want to co-create a hopeful and realistic vision for the world with the help of advanced artificial intelligence and global wisdom.

Backcasting can be applied at various levels - from the individual to the global level - to create a hopeful and realistic vision for the future.

At the individual level, backcasting can be used to identify one's perfect role in the world and how they can contribute to the realization of a solar punk future. It can help individuals to understand their strengths, passions, and values and how they can align them with the needs of the world.

At the family level, backcasting can be used to co-create a vision for the future that reflects the hopes and needs of all members of the family. It can help families to identify their unique strengths and how they can work together to contribute to the world in meaningful ways.

For systems change oriented products and services, backcasting can be used to identify the steps needed to create a more just and sustainable world. It can help organizations to understand the systems and structures that shape our world and how they can use their resources and expertise to transform them for the better.

At the global level, backcasting can be used to create a vision for a world that thrives for all. It can help us to understand the interconnections between different systems and how we can work together to create a better future for everyone.

This course leverages the work of Donella Meadows on vision in the policy process to help learners understand the importance of having a clear, feasible, and shared vision for a sustainable future. Meadows argues that envisioning a better world is a skill that can be developed, and this course will provide learners with the tools and techniques to develop this skill. Through the use of generative AI and backcasting methods, learners will learn how to build a responsible vision of a solar punk future that meets the needs of all people and preserves the natural systems of the world. By focusing on the values and motivations that drive the policy process, learners will be able to create a shared vision that can be used to guide their systems change efforts and contribute to the creation of a more just and sustainable world.

Who this course is for:

This course is intended for individuals who are interested in exploring the potential of backcasting as a tool for creating a hopeful and realistic vision for the future. It is suitable for individuals who are motivated by the concept of a solar punk future and are interested in identifying the steps needed to achieve it. It is suitable for those who are open to considering the role of AI in co-creative problem-solving and are interested in using tactical and strategic backcasting methods to plan for the future.
It is suitable for those who are seeking to identify their perfect role in the world and understand the importance of systems change in achieving a solar punk future. It is not suitable for those who are resistant to considering the potential of AI or who are not open to exploring innovative approaches to planning and decision-making. It is not intended for those who are not interested in the concept of a solar punk future or who are not motivated by the idea of creating a hopeful and realistic vision for the future.

Backcasting from a solar punk future using generative AI

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction9 lectures • 32min

Backcasting from a future fit for your future self using global wisdom, ChatGPT14 lectures • 16min

Backcasting11 lectures • 12min

Using chat GPT for basic planning of a hike3 lectures • 9min

Ontology design of prompt categories3 lectures • 26min

Chat GPT as a design science partner to co-create with and collaborate with9 lectures • 28min

Chat GPT and global wisdom7 lectures • 59min

How to use ChatGPT to augment our intuitions to backcast from our future3 lectures • 17min

Integrating values such as interdisciplinary diversity and neurodiversity in6 lectures • 1hr 9min

The End3 lectures • 5min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: