Ioannina: the city of ‘other’ technologies

In the region surrounding the city of Ioannina, a new ecosystem of Social and Solidarity Economy is emerging. This system recognizes technology not only in its high-tech aspect but also in its traditional, free, and open-access function. At first sight, the material of this tour may seem heterogeneous, however, there is a red line that connects its elements: the way these forms of technology can satisfy the needs of open local territories by creating new – or reusing past and forgotten – social practices.

Drawing by Yorgos Konstantinou, created especially for the dossier ‘Urban–rural divide’

Article

Χρήστος Γιωτίτσας

Alternative paths for technologies

The dominant narrative is that technology forms an independent and self-sustaining force that we must inevitably accept as it is. On the contrary, the researcher Christos Giotitsas underlines in his article that technology is a social construction and that we have the means to transform it according to our needs. This is precisely what open technologies, digital commons and the emerging movement of ‘cosmolocalism’ intend to do. All these take on practical forms in agricultural activities in the Epirus region of Greece. 
By Christos Giotitsas

Videos

In the following four videos, representatives of four different projects talk about the way they use open or traditional technologies, intending to disseminate their results to as many people as possible while meeting the special needs of their region. (In English or with English subtitles) 

Audio contribution

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