Since early 2023 I have been working on this project. In the beginning, it wasn’t clear what it would become. But I knew the name: downgrade.
It started as a defiant, outraged protest against the narratives around AI within the design space. But the protest turned into something different, something more productive and proactive, a fascinating creative adventure. I started to explore various fields, that counter acceleration through simplicity and slowness: Low Technology, Permacomputing, Digital Minimalism... The question I have asked myself is: How could I integrate these ideas into my own work?
And this is what you are looking at right now: a quite personal book, a growing collection of essays and experiments, oscillating between thought and action, putting together what I’ve learned on my way, exploring the realms of the downgrade.
I have always created my best ideas in public. That’s why this working draft is open. It’s a Digital Garden: all the content lives on this website, it grows and it thrives. You can read online, share it with your friends, and send me your feedback. If something resonates with you or you have ideas, comments, I am happy to hear from you: downgrade@timrodenbroeker.de
Thank you! Warmly,
Tim
Timeline
- Content lock: 1. February 2027
- After: Design and Publication Planning
- No publisher until End of Spring? Self Publish
Feedback
- Send Feedback and start a conversation at downgrade@timrodenbroeker.de
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