Solarpunk and Lunarpunk: The Dualism of Web3

Transparency and darkness. Order and chaos. Two "cryptopunk" movements compared to understand and integrate the path toward the next human evolution.

Technology has already laid the groundwork for a social and cultural human revolution, but today we are stuck in a transitional limbo that could last for several more decades. In this liminal space, various ideas and approaches are emerging to prepare for humanity's possible future paths.

Some view technology as a liberating force, capable of solving humanity's complex problems, building a more just and sustainable world, and reaching a higher evolutionary stage; others see it as a weapon to protect against looming threats like mass surveillance, control and censorship, and domination by the powers that govern our world.

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These contrasting views have given rise to cultural movements that reflect different perspectives on the potential of technology. Regarding digital technologies like the Internet and cryptocurrencies, we have three distinct visions and approaches: Cypherpunk, Solarpunk, and Lunarpunk.

Beyond Cypherpunk

The Cypherpunk movement is undoubtedly the most well-known among those interested in these topics. It is a movement that emerged in the 1990s among those concerned with the impact of cryptography and the Internet on society, with a strong individualistic vision focused on the "do-it-yourself" approach to developing and using cryptographic solutions for online privacy. Unlike the other two, the Cypherpunk movement is not strictly tied to the cryptocurrency space, but over time, Cypherpunk ideals have also found their place in this sector.

The other two movements have more distant origins. Both Solarpunk and Lunarpunk terminology have been borrowed, as is often the case, from literary and artistic fields, similar to the perhaps better-known steampunk and cyberpunk.

Recently, these two concepts have found fertile ground in the minds of those interested in cryptocurrencies and the so-called Web3.

The Cyberspace Doctrines

Web3 as the Architecture of a New World

Web3 refers to a new evolution of the Internet and the web, based on decentralized technologies like public blockchains.

Rather than being centered on a single cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, Web3 is an ecosystem of projects, companies, and communities aimed at restructuring the online environment and giving individuals control over their data and identities.

Cryptocurrencies are a central theme (also due to high speculation), but they are not the only one. There are, for example, projects focused on developing technologies like Self Sovereign Identity or decentralized governance structures, such as DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations).

Solarpunk, the Techno-Optimists of the Web3

The Solarpunk literary movement is characterized by a utopian aesthetic, where nature and human society are in perfect balance. Solarpunk stories are set in near futures where, thanks to the Promethean spirit of technology, humans have propelled humanity into a sort of post-capitalist "Golden Age," where harmony and order are the watchwords.