Permacomputing Principles
Permacomputing Principles / 永久计算原则
Introduction Contemporary permaculture is founded on three core ethics: Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share. These ethics serve as a guiding compass for its design principles, co-creating a holistic framework for regenerative living. Similarly, permacomputing is built upon 10 principles that encourage and raise awareness about more sustainable digital practices. Whether you are a tech specialist, someone who uses a computer for daily tasks, or deals with technology only occasionally, there are steps that you or the group you are involved in can take to reduce the environmental and socio-economic impact of your digital activities.
引言 当代朴门永续（Permaculture）建立在三大核心伦理之上：关爱地球、关爱人类、公平分享。这些伦理如同指南针，指引着其设计原则，共同构建了一个再生生活的整体框架。同样地，“永久计算”（Permacomputing）也建立在 10 项原则之上，旨在鼓励并提升人们对更可持续数字实践的意识。无论你是技术专家、日常电脑使用者，还是偶尔接触科技的人，你或你所在的团体都可以采取行动，减少数字活动对环境和社会经济的影响。
The following section explores the permacomputing principles, showing how and where to start. Each principle is illustrated through: Issue/background; What can YOU do? (Strategies and interventions for all, from techie to casual user, or something in between); Principle in action & examples; Further reading, tools for deeper engagement, and examples of implementation.
以下部分将探讨永久计算的原则，并展示如何开始实践。每一项原则都通过以下维度进行阐述：问题/背景；你能做什么？（为所有人提供的策略与干预措施，涵盖从技术人员到普通用户的不同群体）；原则的实践与案例；以及进一步阅读、深入参与的工具和实施示例。
The community of permacomputing promotes a comprehensive approach to the design of human technology, taking into account social and ecological issues, encouraging resilience and supporting a fair coexistence. These design principles are meant to not to be just technical guidelines but rather represent strategies for positive changes. That said, permacomputing is not prescriptive; it instead favors situatedness and an awareness of contextual diversity. We, the Permacomputing working group, hope these design principles can serve both as a guide for practice in specific situations and as a tool for identifying systemic issues in the relationship between computer technology and ecology.
永久计算社区提倡一种全面的人类技术设计方法，兼顾社会与生态议题，鼓励韧性并支持公平共存。这些设计原则不仅是技术指南，更代表了实现积极变革的策略。话虽如此，永久计算并非教条式的；它更倾向于情境化，并关注背景的多样性。我们，永久计算工作组，希望这些设计原则既能作为特定情境下的实践指南，也能作为识别计算机技术与生态之间系统性问题的工具。
Furthermore, the Permacomputing community is more than this site! It is inspired by—and builds upon—a diverse range of initiatives, research, projects, and bodies of knowledge. And just like we learn and expand concepts of permacomputing further, these principles will also continually be developed and refined. The text below is meant to serve as a starting point. :)
此外，永久计算社区不仅仅局限于这个网站！它受到并建立在各种倡议、研究、项目和知识体系之上。正如我们不断学习并扩展永久计算的概念一样，这些原则也将持续发展和完善。以下内容旨在作为一个起点。:)
Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst It is good practice to design systems that are resilient and tolerant to interruptions and even if you do not personally believe such scenarios are imminent. This principle invites reflection: why prioritize resilience? Rather than being a defeatist mindset, it is a practical exercise. By imagining a world shaped by limits, constraints and planetary boundaries, you sharpen your creativity and adaptability. Acknowledging breakages happen and taking into account the possibility of collapse can inspire self-imposed limitations that lead to resourceful solutions—often uncovering societal scenarios previously unexplored, while also acknowledging that less privileged groups are already experiencing harm and damage.
抱最好的希望，做最坏的打算 设计具有韧性且能容忍中断的系统是一种良好的实践，即使你个人并不认为此类情境迫在眉睫。这一原则引发了反思：为什么要优先考虑韧性？这并非一种失败主义心态，而是一种实践练习。通过想象一个受限于资源、约束和地球边界的世界，你可以磨练自己的创造力和适应能力。承认故障会发生并考虑到崩溃的可能性，可以激发自我设限，从而引导出足智多谋的解决方案——这往往能揭示出此前未曾探索的社会情境，同时也承认了弱势群体已经在遭受损害和破坏。
Care for All Hardware — Especially the Chips Caring for the planet also means caring for the material foundations of digital technology: our hardware. Every device, chip, and component originates from Earth’s finite resources—and eventually end up as e-waste. The production of new hardware, especially microchips, which are at the heart of nearly every device we use, is highly resource-intensive and energy-consuming. Microchips are particularly problematic because they are difficult to recycle, cost an immense amount of energy and resources to manufacture and their production is highly polluting.
关爱所有硬件——尤其是芯片 关爱地球也意味着关爱数字技术的物质基础：我们的硬件。每一台设备、每一块芯片和每一个组件都源自地球有限的资源，并最终成为电子垃圾。生产新硬件，尤其是作为我们几乎所有设备核心的微芯片，是高度资源密集和耗能的过程。微芯片尤为棘手，因为它们难以回收，制造过程消耗巨大的能源和资源，且生产过程污染严重。
Maximizing the lifespan of hardware components is critical for reducing environmental impact and promoting a more sustainable and less harmful digital culture. One of the core principles of permaculture is to “produce no waste,” encouraging us to value and reuse all resources at hand, turning waste into a resource whenever possible. Digital technology cannot be produced without waste. To mitigate this situation, this principle calls us to step outside the capitalist model of perpetual consumption and growth. Instead, it invites us to recognize the inherent value of the devices, components, and materials we already have—and to care for them intentionally.
最大化硬件组件的使用寿命，对于减少环境影响和促进更可持续、危害更小的数字文化至关重要。朴门永续的核心原则之一是“不产生浪费”，鼓励我们珍视并重复利用手头的所有资源，尽可能将废物转化为资源。数字技术的生产无法做到零浪费。为了缓解这一状况，该原则呼吁我们走出资本主义的永久消费与增长模式。相反，它邀请我们认识到我们现有设备、组件和材料的内在价值，并有意识地去爱护它们。
Observe First Before taking action, it’s important to first observe. What are the current relations? What is valuable and beautiful? What is needed? What problem are you trying to solve? Is it a social issue? Does it even require technology? If not, refer to Principle “Not Doing”. If technology is necessary, what is its purpose, and who will benefit? In permaculture, before working on a piece of land, it’s essential to observe it over time, ideally through at least one full seasonal cycle. This process helps reveal insights about what can be done with minimal intervention, using limited resources and energy.
先观察 在采取行动之前，重要的是先观察。当前的关系是什么？什么是珍贵且美好的？什么是被需要的？你试图解决什么问题？这是一个社会问题吗？它真的需要技术吗？如果不需要，请参考“不作为”原则。如果技术是必要的，它的目的是什么，谁将从中受益？在朴门永续中，在耕作一块土地之前，必须对其进行长时间的观察，理想情况下至少要经历一个完整的季节周期。这一过程有助于揭示如何以最小的干预、利用有限的资源和能源来开展工作。
Similarly, permacomputing involves carefully observing a problem or situation to create space for evaluating what needs to be done and how. Observing can also relate to sensing the world, where computing can play a key role in strengthening ecosystems through citizen sensing and science projects. Careful observation—gathering data on air quality, water, biodiversity, local temperatures, and more—can help citizens collect the evidence needed to advocate for a healthier environment. These projects gather data on pollution, biodiversity, weather, and more, which can then be used to push for a healthier environment for both humans and non-humans.
同样地，永久计算涉及仔细观察问题或情境，从而为评估“需要做什么”以及“如何做”创造空间。观察也可以与感知世界相关联，在这一领域，计算可以通过公民感知和科学项目在加强生态系统方面发挥关键作用。仔细的观察——收集关于空气质量、水质、生物多样性、当地温度等数据——可以帮助公民收集倡导更健康环境所需的证据。这些项目收集关于污染、生物多样性、天气等数据，进而可用于推动为人类和非人类创造更健康的环境。
Not Doing To reduce the resource use and waste generated by technology, embracing ‘not doing’ aka ‘refusal’ is essential for achieving…
不作为 为了减少技术所产生的资源消耗和浪费，拥抱“不作为”（即“拒绝”）对于实现……至关重要。