This is a special episode - instead of a regular writing prompt, it’s a recording of an interview with professor Ada Palmer from Bazyliszek convention in Warsaw, Poland in July 2025. Professor Ada Palmer, a well-acclaimed historian of ideas, set the action of her science fiction series “Terra Ignota” several hundred years from now. The world she imagined presents vast societal and cultural changes, but the topic of climate change is treated much more implicitly. Within the context of professor’s...
Jul 06, 2025•42 min•Season 2Ep. 9
The Tailors A new tailor joins a community with different ideas from the previous one. How will the community react? What sort of role will they fill in a future of sustainability and harmony with the local environment? Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Tailors Links mentioned: Report by the European Environment Agency The Looop machine Heart-monitoring sweaters and armbands Music in this episode is: At The End Of All Things by Scott Buckley (CC-BY 4.0) and Lo...
Sep 14, 2024•16 min•Season 2Ep. 8
The Tower Displaced people are moved into a new sustainable climate-controlled tower designed to help them find community. For some it’s a dream come true, for others a culture shock. How will this setting come to life as a vision for a Solarpunk future? How can we envision a better way of living by focusing on their humanity? Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Tower Links mentioned: https://unece.org/climate-change/news/future-sustainable-building-wood Palaces...
Feb 07, 2024•16 min•Season 2Ep. 7
The Epidemiologists How will a Solarpunk future address community distrust in public health? How will we restore faith in vaccines or heal the long history of abuse of minority and indiginous peoples? Is it hopeless? Today’s episode of Solarpunk Prompts takes a look at difficult themes and finding a better future. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Epidemiologists Links mentioned: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-485129230 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
Dec 15, 2023•11 min•Season 2Ep. 6
The Miners Rare earth metals are essential for our modern life, whether in EV motors, cell phones, or in electronics in general. Mining these metals is notoriously difficult and dirty. How might a Solarpunk future address this issue? How might we get there from where we are today? Through this prompt we explore the realities of rare earth mining today and a few ways it might evolve into a sustainable future. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Miners Links menti...
Dec 01, 2023•11 min•Season 2Ep. 5
The Pharmacists How will access to pharmaceuticals impact the Solarpunk future? In this prompt we explore data miners seeking to liberate the data buried by intellectual property to find new cures and hopes for their communities. We also discuss the state of the pharma industry in the global south and how the reality of today shapes the futures of tomorrow. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Pharmacists Links mentioned: …because they are too cheap - https://www...
Nov 24, 2023•10 min•Season 2Ep. 4
The Disabled Community How will our Solarpunk future be shaped by the tenacity and activism of the disabled community? What role does inclusivity and accessibility play in creating that future vision? What new challenges await us all? Special thanks to Martyna Lysiakiewicz for a sensitivity read. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Disabled-Community Links mentioned: Defying Doomsday - http://defyingdoomsday.twelfthplanetpress.com/ 2022 report - https://accessto...
Nov 17, 2023•13 min•Season 2Ep. 3
The Moonshot How can Solarpunk address the problems of a massive project, like travel to the moon? Will the genre crumble under the need for macro-level power and industry? Come explore the latest story prompt and dream of a future together. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Moonshot Links mentioned: Our world energy production - https://ourworldindata.org/energy-mix Frying potatos in space - https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploratio...
Nov 10, 2023•12 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Season 2 Introduction Welcome back to season two of Solarpunk Prompts. In this brief introduction to the season we talk about the “punk” in Solarpunk, and the need for continuity between our world today and the good place to come. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---Season-2-Introduction Links mentioned: Solarpunk - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solarpunk In our first season - https://podcast.tomasino.org/@SolarpunkPrompts/episodes?season=1 National Novel Writing Mo...
Nov 03, 2023•9 min•Season 2Ep. 1
The Dirigible In this episode we take the skies and travel between distant settlements with an anarchist crew on our beautiful balloon. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Dirigible Links mentioned: vacuum airship Online relationships are real Music from: Jean Toba - really beautiful my mambo...
Dec 03, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 16
The Ship In this episode we set sail on a cargoship of the future. What does a trade mission look like in Solarpunk? Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Ship Links mentioned: From Steampunk to Solarpunk MS Beluga Skysails Inflatable sails Fuel from biomass Music from: Levantaran el vuelo by Circus Marcus...
Nov 21, 2022•10 min•Season 1Ep. 15
The Henchmen In this episode a group of henchmen hired to work for a billionare on his post-apocalyptic stronghold inherit the keys from their former boss. They explore their options at community building and outreach with the surrounding towns as communities collide. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Henchmen Links mentioned: Disaster Collectivism The Response Douglas Rushkoff Story - Original Source Douglas Rushkoff Story - Updated Source Music from: taiyou ...
Nov 16, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 14
The Beekeepers In this episode we explore the relationships between humans and machines, discuss some of the ethical dangers of AI, and how a balanced relationship with technology might present itself in a Solarpunk setting. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Beekeepers Links mentioned: One guy on reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/solarpunk/comments/lm4cqj/what_makes_something_solarpunk/ The march of the robot dogs“ - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A...
Nov 13, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 13
The Expedition In this episode we journey from the Global South, the starting place of Solarpunk, to help a suffering North facing the Great InterneT Collapse. What unique qualities can they bring to the situation? Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Expedition Links mentioned: Global South and Global North - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_North_and_Global_South Tony Blair Institute for Global Change - https://institute.global/policy/economic-infrastructur...
Nov 12, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 12
The Fire Brigade In this episode we muse about the role of the military in a world without war. What comes next for these highly trained individuals and groups? How might they turn those skills toward new types of community service? Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Fire-Brigade Links mentioned: Landmine Free estimates - https://landminefree.org/facts-about-landmines/ Climate Brief - https://www.carbonbrief.org/mapped-how-climate-change-affects-extreme-weather...
Nov 11, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 11
The Chefs In this episode we explore a world facing a meat shortage and discuss the sustainability of food practices. You also get to hear me try to phoenetically speak Korean. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Chefs Links mentioned: Greenpeace points out - https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/world-cultures-and-religions-plant-based-vegetarian-vegan-diet/ OurWorldInData.org - https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/global-meat-projections-to-2050 https://phys.org/ne...
Nov 10, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 10
The Archivists Today’s episode explores the loss of cultural history, local and indigenous knowledge. How can a Solarpunk perspective help us see past Western colonialism and find value in new, old places. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Archivists Links mentioned: UNESCO defines - https://en.unesco.org/links Chi Luu writes in JSTOR’s Daily - https://daily.jstor.org/what-we-lose-when-we-lose-indigenous-knowledge/ Safecast - https://safecast.org/ https://www....
Nov 08, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 9
The Electronics Graveyard In today’s episode: Reduce, reuse, recycle. What does that look like in a Solarpunk world? How does the trash of one age become a resource for the next? And how realistic are our expectations for that type of lifestyle? Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Electronics-Graveyard Links mentioned: Solarpunk: Histórias Ecológicas e Fantásticas em um Mundo Sustenavel - https://www.erambiental.com.br/var/userfiles/arquivos69/documentos/12857/G...
Nov 07, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 8
The Great Infrastructure Project Maintaining infrastructure is hard even when your governments are stable. In this episode we explore the reality of crumbling infrastructure on a small town and envision an optimistic future where collaboration overcomes the challenges. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Great-Infrastructural-Project Links mentioned: http://pubs.iied.org/10710IIED.html?k=acccrn&r=p https://www.mottmac.com/views/leaving-a-social-legacy-from-i...
Nov 06, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 7
The Experts In this episode we discuss isolation and its toll. We also talk about a different kind of community and the power and freedom it brings to the lonely. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Experts Links mentioned: Lonely Conservationists - https://lonelyconservationists.com/ Light Years: Memoir of a Modern Lighthouse Keeper - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/26089081-light-years Music from: Twin Dragoon - Hidden in brightness - https://globalpatt...
Nov 05, 2022•9 min•Season 1Ep. 6
The Hackerspace In this episode we discuss hackers, hacker culture, and hackerspaces before using this setting for the basis of our latest writing prompt. What does playful discovery have to do with Solarpunk? Can we find a modal for the future in these communities of today? Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Hackerspace Links mentioned: “Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution” - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hackers:_Heroes_of_the_Computer_Revolution Noise...
Nov 04, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 5
The Canteen In this episode our writing prompt brings us to the mess hall of an isolated scientific community surrounded by difficult conditions. We explore the justaposition of these challenges in their mission with the everyday humanity of their unique culture. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Canteen Links mentioned: Antarctica No Appendix Club - https://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/people-in-antarctica/health/ UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cul...
Nov 03, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 4
The Community Center In this episode our writing prompt explores the transformative power of libraries and community centers. With the power to train communities and empower them with knowledge, what would happen if such a place grew into a place sought by pilgrims for inner truth? Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Community-Center Links mentioned in the video: CILIP - https://www.cilip.org.uk/ Music from: Andy McDade - Ylid - https://globalpattern.bandcamp.co...
Nov 02, 2022•8 min•Season 1Ep. 3
The Refugee Camp In this episode our writing prompt takes us to a near-future town that has grown out of a refugee camp. We discuss refugee camps today, community organizations, makers, and the creation that comes from them. We also discuss creole languages and the truths they reveal about a community. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---The-Refugee-Camp Links mentioned in the video: r0g_agency - https://openculture.agency/ Communitere - https://communitere.org/ “Di...
Nov 01, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 2
What is Solarpunk and why should we care? Why would I want to write Solarpunk stories? In this introduction video I talk briefly about what Solarpunk is and why it is important to create new stories with its unique optimistic framing. This video sets the stage for a series of videos with individual writing prompts, and grounds the writer firmly in the genre with guidelines to follow. Transcript: https://wiki.tomasino.org/writing/Solarpunk-Prompts---Introduction Links mentioned in the video: HOPE...
Oct 31, 2022•9 min•Season 1Ep. 1
