[-empyre-] week one | mobile apps and environmental performance

[Dale Hudson]

Thanks, Jeff.

Patty and I really loved the way that the PlantBots initiate discussions without the same potentially threatening affect of more direct approaches to documenting the health and environmental hazards of GMOs, which we imagined as a corollary of sorts to ways that corporations exercise intellectual property to discourage innovation with digital technologies and media content.

Could you tell us more about what you’re been doing int relation to pollinator decline? I would also be interested to know whether you and Wendy have been thinking of any of these issues in relation to indigenous rights?

Best,
Dale


On Nov 5, 2015, at 17:00, Jeff Schmuki <jschmuki at gmail.com> wrote:

> ----------empyre- soft-skinned space----------------------
> Hello Dale and All,
> 
> PlantBot Genetics began as a street-based project where we would release PlantBots into public spaces.  These humorous PlantBot Invasions would easily draw attention, and once someone stops for a moment, they will ask a question. Humor is a vital ingredient as it creates a safe place for the discussion to occur.  Those visiting hopefully come away empowered through links, published information, and guidelines for better food and environmental practices at home. Today we often use an 18’ off-grid, trailer (ArtLab) converted into a mobile platform containing a library of information and hands-on activities. Most are surprised at the proliferation of GM products in the market and being unlabeled, we all are consuming them. Is it better to have a choice? When the project began in 2009, most were unaware of GMOs and wanted to learn more. Today many do know and while some just want to play with the PlantBots, complex discussions on supporting transparency in food labeling, supporting local farming, composting, pollinator decline and native plants, always transpire. Everyone seems to have a good time and PlantBot fun transcends language wherever we are. GM research is being done worldwide today, and is a complex issue yet, "what will it all become" is an interesting question. PlantBot Genetics believes conversations from these events is powerful and provides the opportunities for change, whether it be at the individual level or through community-wide discourse. Most recently we have been focusing on pollinator decline in the US and abroad.
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