Regenerators need OpenSource
A match made for Eden
I was bred into the software world. I have a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and over a decade of experience on the "full stack" of web development. In that realm, "Open Source" is incredibly popular. Everything from the operating systems that our servers run on to the web frameworks that we use to build user interfaces – are pieces of the OpenSource software ecosystem.
What exactly is OpenSource?
The term originated in the context of software development to designate a specific approach to creating computer programs. Today, however, "open source" designates a broader set of values—what we call "the open source way." Open source projects, products, or initiatives embrace and celebrate principles of open exchange, collaborative participation, rapid prototyping, transparency, meritocracy, and community-oriented development.
Over the last few years, I have transitioned from Corporate Software into the Regenerative movement. I still carry that decade of experience, and have been finding ways to use those skills directly to build Regenerative software applications. At a higher level, I also see the need to build more bridges between the Regenerative movement and OpenSource technologies.
Many of the things Regenerators already do are OpenSource. There is so much wonderful information freely available (library books, websites, blogs...) for how to build soil, care for plants, collect rainwater, etc.
The core shared values of Regenerators – to care for the people and planet over profits – are highly aligned with the ethos of OpenSource. OpenSource software doesn't get built to make a profit, it gets built to solve a real problem.
Yet, as I have expanded my hyphae into the Regenerative Mycelium, I have found that many Regenerative Enterprises still give their time, data, and even paid subscriptions to closed-source proprietary technologies that feed the very beasts that Regenerators are trying to make obsolete. I do not say this to cast blame, only to shed light. The beasts we are moving away from have a huge marketing budget, a lot of existing market share, convenience features, and often a large team of wage-slaves to build and maintain their systems (on top of OpenSource platforms, I might add). They exist to generate profits above all else and are quite good at it.
And to be completely fair, the OpenSource software world has, until recently, been built for the tech-aware, by the tech-aware. Using OpenSource solutions used to mean having to wade through code or piece together sparse and disparate documentation. But that is changing rapidly. There are now many examples of stellar OpenSource Software projects that sustain themselves by building community and offering paid SaaS versions of their software.
The time is now to OpenSource Everything, and get Regenerative Enterprises out of extractive closed-source SaaS subscriptions. To give them control and sovereignty over their data and digital identity. To marry Regeneration with OpenSource, and bring our visions of Eden to life.
Closed Source → Open Source
MegaCorps → Purpose Driven Teams
Secret Algorithms → Transparency
Centralized Clouds → Decentralized Communities
Advertisements/Upsells → Just the tools you need
Extraction → Regeneration
And that is where the EarthCare Network comes in. We are zealous about our use of OpenSource technologies as we build solutions for Regenerative Enterprises. Not only the tools used directly in the solutions stack – but even in our team communication and collaboration.
We are exploring OpenSource tools and solutions to many common problems that Regenerators face. From hosting a newsletter or video channel to keep your patrons up-to-date on your projects – to tools for your team to track data, communicate, and collaborate. There is an OpenSource solution for all of those. And if you have something new and amazing in mind that hasn't been built yet, we can use OpenSource platforms to build it faster than ever before.
If you are part of a Regenerative Enterprise and want to explore OpenSource tools with us, we would be delighted to help. Let us know in the comments, and we'll be in touch!
Onward, to the Open and Regenerative paradise we see in our dreams!
