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The goal of this panel is to first define the boundaries of the system—those beyond which its uncontrolled growth begins to pose a threat. We will then discuss theoretical and practical models of behaviors and actions aimed at safely gaining independence from the most inconvenient and unhealthy dependencies.
We will start by defining the very concept of the system and identifying its blurred border areas. A brief look at the history of statehood and economy will help us understand the vector of change, allowing us to extrapolate into the future.
We will explore various areas where we interact with the system, including the economy, food sovereignty, healthcare, education, community, and governance—mainly administrative power.
Fighting the system in certain ways only reinforces it, mobilizing its defenders. However, by making a sequence of legal and accessible decisions and taking consistent actions, we can significantly increase our self-sufficiency and independence. We will model various practical methods of functioning alongside the system. The discussion will also cover essential resources needed to break free from the most restrictive and unhealthy ties—legal aspects, basic knowledge of food, plant cultivation, education, and society.
After the panel, an additional time slot has been reserved for informal meetings and discussions among participants with the involvement of the speakers.
Jan Sowa – a dialectical-materialist theorist and social researcher. He holds a PhD in sociology and a habilitation in cultural studies. He was a member of the Polish Academy of Sciences’ Committee on Cultural Sciences and a curator of the discourse and research program at Biennale Warszawa. Currently, he is a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw.
He is the author of numerous articles and books, including Fantomowe ciało króla (The Phantom Body of the King, 2012), Inna Rzeczpospolita jest możliwa (Another Republic is Possible, 2015), and Sport nie istnieje (Sport Does Not Exist, 2017), co-authored with Krzysztof Wolański. Most recently, he co-edited Perverse Decolonization? (Archive Books, Berlin, 2021) with Ekaterina Degot and David Riff.
Life Outside the System: Religious Communities, Food Sovereignty, and Education
