cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/7559522
I want to write a novel that takes place sometime in the latter half of this century (let’s say 2075), where the premise is that we’ve more or less achieved what could be described as a Solarpunk society globally, albeit not a perfect utopia. I am just an amateur, so don’t hold your breath for the next literary masterpiece, but I am hoping that, if finished, it could at least inspire some people to envisage a better future. The novel itself will only use this as the setting, as a contrast to the often bleak and dystopian visions of the future - the plot will not be related to how this was achieved.
I am currently looking for inspiration for the world-building. What have happened between now and then on a big scale, particularly in terms of geopolitics? How did the tensions of today resolve so that we eventually landed in a Solarpunk society? I am happy to read both critical analyses of probably futures as well as speculative fiction on what could become, but that still remains rooted in the realm of the possible. The world should be mostly stable at the point of the novel, but many turbulent things could’ve happened on the way there.
A few examples of things I am looking for:
- Which regions/peoples gained independence? Are The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland reunited, is Scotland independent from the UK, is Catalonia a sovereign state? Other examples outside of Europe?
- How have e.g. the African Union and/or the East African Federation progressed, and what role do the play on the global scene? What about other would-be superpowers?
- How did what today looks like an uncrossable divide between the left and right in the United States resolve? Was there ever a new civil war? What did that look like? Are they still united? Any new states?
- Has the United Nations undergone any changes to become a more effective organization?
Have you read or seen anything like this that you could share? Articles, books, movies, TV-shows etc.? Do you have any thoughts of your own you would like to share?
Regarding question 3, I truly do not see a possible Solarpunk future where the right wing of the US wins against the left. The only way solarpunk could be feasible in the first place is if the US shifted away from its Imperialist project and towards leftist structures, which would reasonably only happen after a tipping point is reached.
You could go the Union route and have a Syndicalist style uprising if you want, or truly whatever you imagine, though it’s unlikely pure voting would shift America to the left enough for Solarpunk.
Depends how decisive and long-lasting that victory would be, right? Could we not see the right wing continue to push the country towards authoritarianism and possibly even a straight up fascist dictatorship, to then have that reversed through some big event before 2075? Or maybe you meant “wins against the left” as something very permanent?
If there’s a fascist dictatorship, it would likely crumble back into liberalism, not Socialism, like we saw in Nazi Germany. You can certainly write otherwise! Believably, too! But if your time frame is 50 years, the fascism would have to start soon.
Depends on writing, of course!
But if your time frame is 50 years, the fascism would have to start soon.
January 20th, 2025? :p
Hahaha, could work as a “what-if?” scenario! Though you could always wait and see for real, haha
Well, there is no chance I will have this ready before the election, so I guess I will get to see what happens anyway.
