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darktimesacademy.bsky.social
Dark Times Academy
@darktimesacademy.bsky.social
1.2K followers 180 following 370 posts
Making learning joyful again

https://darktimesacademy.co.nz
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darktimesacademy.bsky.social
And if you aren't already signed up, please subscribe to our newsletter for updates, new class announcements--and sometimes even pots and painting from @narwhallibrarian.bsky.social

This week's newsletter features one of her collage pieces, Radishes.
Collage of colourful radishes on a brown background.
October 1, 2025 at 9:13 PM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
As always we had a lovely time today Lots of conversations, ideas for how to create a better world, and camaraderie 💜

And look who has a LID now!

She's a real jar!
Greenware jug with lid. The jug is decorated with oxide coloured slips using paper resist. Mushroom motif.
September 13, 2025 at 4:12 AM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
Five amazing writers. One course!

@annaleen.bsky.social‬
@charliejane.bsky.social‬
@paolobacigalupi.bsky.social‬
@monicabyrne13.bsky.social‬
@clairegcoleman.bsky.social

It’s time for ‘Vision: Imagining the Future’

19 Sept – 14 Nov 2025

Register at: imaginingthefuture.lilregie.com
September 9, 2025 at 3:24 AM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
Four inspiring speakers. One course!

@billmckibben.bsky.social‬
@cubaraglanguy.bsky.social‬
@amywestervelt.bsky.social‬
@ketanjoshi.co

It’s time for ‘Making Hope: Climate Action for Dark Times’

17 Sept – 12 Nov 2025

Register TODAY at: makinghope.lilregie.com
September 9, 2025 at 3:22 AM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
We hope you will join us to answer a question with profound implications for our collective future: how can creating fictional worlds help us build better worlds in the here and now?

Register TODAY!

imaginingthefuture.l...

VISION IMAGINING THE FUTURE How can we let go of the world as it is to bring about the world we want? To build the future of our dreams, we must first imagine it. But how can we do the work of letting go of what is to explore what might be? And how can we work together to ensure that others share our vision and that our vision makes space for everyone? This class will bring together some of the best writers of our time to explore how they do the work of imagination and of creating vision. What does it take to be bold and imagine a different kind of future - and how can we all work towards contributing to a powerful vision of a different kind of future? JOIN US ON ZOOM. REGISTER AT: https://imaginingthefuture.lilregie.com 19 SEPT - 14 NOV DARKTIMESACADEMY.CO.NZ FACILITATORS: The DTA Team GUEST SPEAKERS: Annalee Newitz, Charlie Jane Anders, Paolo Bacigalupi, Monica Byrne, Claire Coleman ... and more!
August 28, 2025 at 12:32 AM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
Every week between 19 Sept and 14 Nov, I interview a writer about their view of the future & the role that fiction can play in helping us articulate real-world visions of a better tomorrow.

They will then join us for a discussion to dig into these ideas together.

imaginingthefuture.l...
VISION IMAGINING THE FUTURE How can we let go of the world as it is to bring about the world we want? To build the future of our dreams, we must first imagine it. But how can we do the work of letting go of what is to explore what might be? And how can we work together to ensure that others share our vision and that our vision makes space for everyone? This class will bring together some of the best writers of our time to explore how they do the work of imagination and of creating vision. What does it take to be bold and imagine a different kind of future - and how can we all work towards contributing to a powerful vision of a different kind of future? JOIN US ON ZOOM. REGISTER AT: https://imaginingthefuture.lilregie.com 19 SEPT - 14 NOV DARKTIMESACADEMY.CO.NZ FACILITATORS: The DTA Team GUEST SPEAKERS: Annalee Newitz, Charlie Jane Anders, Paolo Bacigalupi, Monica Byrne, Claire Coleman ... and more!
August 28, 2025 at 12:32 AM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
Dark Times Academy invites you to explore this dilemma alongside some fabulous writers who have imagined new worlds, from Charlie Jane Anders’ vision of teens from Earth fighting intergalactic fascists to Annalee Newitz’s future communities of human and non-human persons.

imaginingthefuture.l...
VISION IMAGINING THE FUTURE How can we let go of the world as it is to bring about the world we want? To build the future of our dreams, we must first imagine it. But how can we do the work of letting go of what is to explore what might be? And how can we work together to ensure that others share our vision and that our vision makes space for everyone? This class will bring together some of the best writers of our time to explore how they do the work of imagination and of creating vision. What does it take to be bold and imagine a different kind of future - and how can we all work towards contributing to a powerful vision of a different kind of future? JOIN US ON ZOOM. REGISTER AT: https://imaginingthefuture.lilregie.com 19 SEPT - 14 NOV DARKTIMESACADEMY.CO.NZ FACILITATORS: The DTA Team GUEST SPEAKERS: Annalee Newitz, Charlie Jane Anders, Paolo Bacigalupi, Monica Byrne, Claire Coleman ... and more!
August 28, 2025 at 12:32 AM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social

Hope to see you in class!

makinghope.lilregie....
MAKING НОРЕ CLIMATE ACTION FOR DARK TIMES More than just the climate is changing in the world today. Governments are falling one by one to fascism and far-right political parties. With them comes an institutionalisation of doubt, denial, and a turn away from collective solutions to our shared problems. This class will explore the impacts of that transition and what we can do about it. What can we do to protect our scientists? How can we transform the climate movement into one that can rise to the scale of the needed change? And most of all, what should the climate movement do to fight fascism and ensure a liveable planet for everyone? Join us on Zoom, register at: https://makinghope.lilregie.com/ 17 SEPT - 12 NOV WED, 10AM, NZST WEES, SAM, PEST FACILITATOR: Mandy Henk GUEST SPEAKERS: Bill Mckibben, Amy Westervelt, James Renwick, Ketan Joshi ... and more! DARKTIMESACADEMY.CO.NZ Illustration of a small brown owl and the sun with clouds. Overall colour scheme is bright
August 21, 2025 at 10:13 PM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
I’m a believer that we need it all – on the streets direct action, lawsuits, lobbying of politicians, education, art – we need to bring every tool we have to the fight for a livable planet.

makinghope.lilregie....
MAKING НОРЕ CLIMATE ACTION FOR DARK TIMES More than just the climate is changing in the world today. Governments are falling one by one to fascism and far-right political parties. With them comes an institutionalisation of doubt, denial, and a turn away from collective solutions to our shared problems. This class will explore the impacts of that transition and what we can do about it. What can we do to protect our scientists? How can we transform the climate movement into one that can rise to the scale of the needed change? And most of all, what should the climate movement do to fight fascism and ensure a liveable planet for everyone? Join us on Zoom, register at: https://makinghope.lilregie.com/ 17 SEPT - 12 NOV WED, 10AM, NZST WEES, SAM, PEST FACILITATOR: Mandy Henk GUEST SPEAKERS: Bill Mckibben, Amy Westervelt, James Renwick, Ketan Joshi ... and more! DARKTIMESACADEMY.CO.NZ Illustration of a small brown owl and the sun with clouds. Overall colour scheme is bright
August 21, 2025 at 10:12 PM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
Vision: Imagining the Future (19 Sept – 14 Nov)

Join with socially aware science fiction writers to explore how they do the work of imagination and creating vision - Annalee Newitz, Charlie Jane Anders, Paolo Bacigalupi, Monica Byrne & Claire Coleman.

Register here: imaginingthefuture.l...
VISION IMAGINING THE FUTURE How can we let go of the world as it is to bring about the world we want? To build the future of our dreams, we must first imagine it. But how can we do the work of letting go of what is to explore what might be? And how can we work together to ensure that others share our vision and that our vision makes space for everyone? This class will bring together some of the best writers of our time to explore how they do the work of imagination and of creating vision. What does it take to be bold and imagine a different kind of future - and how can we all work towards contributing to a powerful vision of a different kind of future? JOIN US ON ZOOM. REGISTER AT: https://imaginingthefuture.lilregie.com 19 SEPT - 14 NOV DARKTIMESACADEMY.CO.NZ FACILITATORS: THE DA TEAM GUEST SPEAKERS: Annalee Newitz, Charlie Jane Anders, Paolo Bacigalupi, Monica Byrne, Claire Coleman ... and more!
August 15, 2025 at 8:45 PM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
Direct Action: Education for Resistance and Rebellion (18 Sept - 13 Nov)

Learn from activists and experts about what works, why it works, and how we can keep our communities safe--together.

Guest speakers include Spencer Sunshine, Joel Bellman and more!

Register here: directaction.lilregi...
DARKTIMESACADEMY. CO.NZ DIRECT ACTION EDUCATION FOR RESISTANCE & REBELLION Direct action gets the job done! From climate to immigration, activists have been freeing us all through vigorous challenges to power. This class will bring together activists and experts from across a range of issues to talk about their experiences planning and carrying out a range of actions, from climate action in Aotearoa to nonviolent civil resistance against rising fascism. With a focus on the practical, this class will explore what works, why it works - and how to keep yourself and vour community safe when taking direct action. GUEST SPEAKERS: Spencer Sunshine, Joel Bellman ... and more! FACILITATORS: The DTA Team THURS 12:00PM, NZST THURS 10:00AM, AEST WEDS 05:00PM, PDT Class to be held on Zoom, register at: https://directaction.lilregie.com/
August 15, 2025 at 8:45 PM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
Making Hope: Climate Action for Dark Times (17 Sept – 12 Nov 2025)

How can we transform the climate movement into one that fights fascism AND ensures a livable planet? Guest speakers include Bill McKibben, Amy Westervelt, James Renwick, Ketan Joshi, and more!

Register here: makinghope.lilregie.com
MAKING НОРЕ CLIMATE ACTION FOR DARK TIMES More than just the climate is changing in the world today. Governments are falling one by one to fascism and far-right political parties. With them comes an institutionalisation of doubt, denial, and a turn away from collective solutions to our shared problems. This class will explore the impacts of that transition and what we can do about it. What can we do to protect our scientists? How can we transform the climate movement into one that can rise to the scale of the needed change. And most of all, what should the climate movement do to fight fascism and ensure a liveable planet for everyone. Join us on Zoom, register at: https://makinghope.lilregie.com/ WED, 10AM, NZST WED, 8AM, AEST TUES, 3PM, PDT FACILITATOR: MANDY HENK GUEST SPEAKERS: Bill Mckibben, Amy Westervelt, James Renwick, Ketan Joshi ... and more! Card is white with yellow text with an illustrated owl and a sun DARKTIMESACADEMY.CO.NZ
August 15, 2025 at 8:45 PM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
DARK TIMES ACADEMY IS TURNING ONE!

It’s been a BIG year of learning, community building, and figuring out how we can all survive these dark times. We’ve fought for our communities and we’ve had some wins. So, come join us to celebrate at our online birthday party! RSVP here docs.google.com/form...
July 30, 2025 at 10:08 PM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
We are turning 1!

Please join us for a birthday party to celebrate a full year of great classes, awesome instructors, and just the best students ever.

We will play some games, have some prizes, and look forward to our plans for year 2 💜

Register today!
forms.gle/vYAeBkJ6yff5...
Dark Times Academy is turning 1! RSVP today It’s been a whole year! We’ve gone from an idea--to a thriving online school with students, instructors, and a regular Reading Room. In a time when lots of things are really dark--this feels worth celebrating! And what better way to celebrate, than an online game session! So grab a slice of cake and some ice cream and join us on Zoom for a fun group reading of the Oracle of Transfeminist Technologies--with some cool prizes and exciting announcements! NZST: Saturday 2 Aug 2pm PDT: Friday 1 Aug 7pm EST: Friday 1 Aug 10pm AEST: Saturday 12 Aug 12 noon Images: a small brown owl and a large chocolate cake with raspberries on a float cake stand.
July 1, 2025 at 12:12 AM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
We had such and AMAZING Decomputing class today and we wanted to share our ideas with you all!

What do you think Decomputing should be?
Hexagon with the word Decomputing Heading: Values Non binary Anticapitalist/Anticolonial Feminist Relational Anticorporate Dehierarchised/Horizontal Subversive of expectations Small and slow Unique and Specific Repairability and Resilience Wild and free Human scale Transparency and openness Autonomous and free (about physical tech and supply chains) Human agency Decentralised Heading: Allies and Affinity Groups Solarpunk and lunar pladdites and neoluddites, Independent media Designers Artists Anticolonial Architects Writers Feminists Others who work with computers w/o AI Heading: Aesthetics Contrast with AI Messier, handmade, DIY Human touch and fingerprint Where does the movement seek to influence? Heading: Opponents? Platforms Billionaries Gen AI companies Governments Acts of Refusal Calling people Opting out Pretending it's the 90'5 Art Handmade Unique and specific Making analogue choices Imperfect Referencing older Heading: Actions Alt-tech traditions of imberfection Print and physical media in art E-ink and minimal phones Labour organising Making and sharing zines Political advocacy Letters to the Editor Heading: Communities? Data subjects People that data is about/applied to Nature and nonhuman animals Communities impacted by large data centres People impacted by mining Tech employees Whistleblowers Data workers Calling legislators Petitions Submissions Educating legislators In person influencing Sharing cool handmade art Slow movements Heading: Purpose and Goals Define a relationshio with computing ourselves, rather than having it defined for us Diversitv the field of tech to end monopolies Keep our information private Reclaim time Better health and mental health Better social connection Make computing iovful again Building more just frameworks for the creation of tech Take better care of our earth and each other
June 16, 2025 at 11:41 PM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
We have invented the Safety Belt!
A handwritten blueprint outlining the "Safety belt" it includes a drawing, a list of who uses it and who is affected by it, and then what it does and how it works. Also includes lots of speculative notes and notes that the Oracle provided a permacomputing value (small), an object (belt) and a situation (online anonymity)
May 27, 2025 at 1:24 AM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
Prepping for our Decomputing class . . .
Cards reading Joker, Bodies, Situations, values, and objects are laid out on a desk in front of a card box reading The Oracle for Transfeminist Technologies.
May 26, 2025 at 9:23 PM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
Oh ... and if you miss out on the Broligarchy course, we still have TWO other great courses on offer!

1. "This is our nation, not theirs": The Threat of Christian Nationalism (with Dr Eric Repphun)
2. Decomputing: A Community Exploration (with Mandy Henk)

More info here: darktimesacademy.co....
Why have right-wing Christians declared war on the rest of us? What is a “Christian nation” and why is this idea gaining power around the world today? Join Dr Eric Repphun and Dark Times Academy for this eight-week course as we use an interdisciplinary lens to unpick these complex questions about religion, politics, history, culture, language, bodies, and violence. We will explore who Christian nationalists are, what they believe, and the stories they tell about their faith and its rightful place in human society. Learn what Christian nationalism is, where it comes from, where it might be going, and what we can do to fight back. AI, social media, Microsoft Excel . . . Most of us spend much of our lives staring at glowing rectangles. But what if we decided to live our lives differently? How do we find ways to keep the things we care about most – connection, news, entertainment, creativity – but ditch what we dislike – environmental damage, tech oligarchs, labour exploitation, invasions of our privacy, and the destruction of our democracies. What would that world look like and how can we work together to bring it about?
May 5, 2025 at 11:13 PM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
There are just TWO places left in our 'Fighting the Broligarchy!' course, which starts in just TWO days!

DON'T MISS OUT! Go here to register for this 8-week online course with our 8 brilliant speakers: fightingthebroligarc...
Fighting the Broligarchy! Everything is on fire. With Trump back in the White House and Musk at his side, America - and by entension, the rest of the world - is in deep, deep trouble. And there's no doubt much of this trouble comes from Silicon Valley's oligarchs, the Techbros. This course brings together eight brilliant guest speakers - a new one each week - to explore the question of how we got here and what we do now. With a focus on action and solidarity building, this course will leave you energised and with everything you need to know to start fighting back.
May 5, 2025 at 11:13 PM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
Note that we are humans so it might be a couple of days before you get your welcome email, but it will be before the first Reading Room opens.
8/8
An owl swoops in over a collection of leather-bound books. Text reads: The Dark Times Academy Reading Room Inaugural Session Saturday, 10 May at 2 p.m.NZST Friday, 9 May at 10 p.m. EDT/7 p.m. PDT Free! Please register to receive a link to attend https://forms.gle/koEicZ4s4WcWdDJj7
May 2, 2025 at 10:00 PM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
We are so excited to announce the launch of the Dark Times Academy Reading Room!

Now more than ever, we need safe third places to talk about the state of the world.

And thanks to an idea from one of our recent students @seren.monster --we now have one!

forms.gle/VucdNCE6Mu...
1/8
An owl swoops in over a collection of leather-bound books. Text reads: The Dark Times Academy Reading Room Inaugural Session Saturday, 10 May at 2 p.m.NZST Friday, 9 May at 10 p.m. EDT/7 p.m. PDT Free! Please register to receive a link to attend https://forms.gle/koEicZ4s4WcWdDJj7
May 2, 2025 at 10:00 PM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
We will explore what we can do to fight back, how we can free our bodies and minds from Christian-nationalist notions of purity, morality, and humanity.

Join us to learn, build community and solidarity, and find some hope for the future.

thisisournation.lilr...

7/7
“A black-and-white social card advertising a course titled, “THIS IS OUR NATION, NOT THEIRS”: THE THREAT OF CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM.” Text about the course reads: “Why have right-wing Christians declared war on the rest of us? What is a “Christian nation” and why is this idea gaining power around the world today? Join Dr Eric Repphun and Dark Times Academy for this eight-week course as we use an interdisciplinary lens to unpick these complex questions about religion, politics, history, culture, language, bodies, and violence. We will explore who Christian nationalists are, what they believe, and the stories they tell about their faith and its rightful place in human society. Learn what Christian nationalism is, where it comes from, where it might be going, and what we can do to fight back.” It also has text about how to register: “Register at thisisournation.lilregie.com. Learn more about Dark Times Academy at www.darktimesacademy.co.nz”. The course is scheduled to run from 9 M
May 2, 2025 at 12:00 PM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
When he climbed the dais in the Senate chamber in the US capital building on 6 January, a shirtless man decked out in facepaint, tattoos, and a giant horned hat, grabbed his bullhorn and shouted, “It’s only a matter of time.
1/7
“A black-and-white social card advertising a course titled, “THIS IS OUR NATION, NOT THEIRS”: THE THREAT OF CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM.” Text about the course reads: “Why have right-wing Christians declared war on the rest of us? What is a “Christian nation” and why is this idea gaining power around the world today? Join Dr Eric Repphun and Dark Times Academy for this eight-week course as we use an interdisciplinary lens to unpick these complex questions about religion, politics, history, culture, language, bodies, and violence. We will explore who Christian nationalists are, what they believe, and the stories they tell about their faith and its rightful place in human society. Learn what Christian nationalism is, where it comes from, where it might be going, and what we can do to fight back.” It also has text about how to register: “Register at thisisournation.lilregie.com. Learn more about Dark Times Academy at www.darktimesacademy.co.nz”. The course is scheduled to run from 9 M
May 2, 2025 at 11:59 AM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
We will explore what we can do to fight back, how we can free our bodies and minds from Christian-nationalist notions of purity, morality, and humanity.

Join us to learn, build community and solidarity, and find some hope for the future.

thisisournation.lilr...

7/7
“A black-and-white social card advertising a course titled, “THIS IS OUR NATION, NOT THEIRS”: THE THREAT OF CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM.” Text about the course reads: “Why have right-wing Christians declared war on the rest of us? What is a “Christian nation” and why is this idea gaining power around the world today? Join Dr Eric Repphun and Dark Times Academy for this eight-week course as we use an interdisciplinary lens to unpick these complex questions about religion, politics, history, culture, language, bodies, and violence. We will explore who Christian nationalists are, what they believe, and the stories they tell about their faith and its rightful place in human society. Learn what Christian nationalism is, where it comes from, where it might be going, and what we can do to fight back.” It also has text about how to register: “Register at thisisournation.lilregie.com. Learn more about Dark Times Academy at www.darktimesacademy.co.nz”. The course is scheduled to run from 9 M
May 1, 2025 at 11:59 PM
darktimesacademy.bsky.social
When he climbed the dais in the Senate chamber in the US capital building on 6 January, a shirtless man decked out in facepaint, tattoos, and a giant horned hat, grabbed his bullhorn and shouted, “It’s only a matter of time.
1/7
“A black-and-white social card advertising a course titled, “THIS IS OUR NATION, NOT THEIRS”: THE THREAT OF CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM.” Text about the course reads: “Why have right-wing Christians declared war on the rest of us? What is a “Christian nation” and why is this idea gaining power around the world today? Join Dr Eric Repphun and Dark Times Academy for this eight-week course as we use an interdisciplinary lens to unpick these complex questions about religion, politics, history, culture, language, bodies, and violence. We will explore who Christian nationalists are, what they believe, and the stories they tell about their faith and its rightful place in human society. Learn what Christian nationalism is, where it comes from, where it might be going, and what we can do to fight back.” It also has text about how to register: “Register at thisisournation.lilregie.com. Learn more about Dark Times Academy at www.darktimesacademy.co.nz”. The course is scheduled to run from 9 M
May 1, 2025 at 11:59 PM