or, the power of Not Doing

dearest trash club,

You may notice some changes in the email this week! I am moving the Dispatch operation to a much more fun newsletter service. i have high hopes! Please lmk what you think.

This will be a special findings edition of the dispatch this week as well as a MEETING REMINDER for all interested in our Refuse/Refusal discussion and hang out This Sunday Nov 2nd at 6pm at sunview. There will be basic food provided by me, and please do bring anything you would like to share. 257 nassau avenue. Planning to scheme for the new year, and get equal parts actionable and conceptual. one does need both i think... RSVP if you can, I love to know how many faces I'll see ;^*

binocs closeup from our visit to the sorting center

Findings 1.

I go on walks with my 2 year old friend Eso twice a week and we pick up a Lot of interesting things on the way. some huge finds. One of the main things that Eso picks up is acorns, which I don’t consider to be trash. Acorns are in fact children. I say Eso, this acorn is like you, and he says “BABY ACORM!”

Recently we have acquired (among other things):

• a basket that looks like a nest
• green shiny bike handlebars
• a small cast iron pan
• 3 spoons
• large fake frond
• a learning DOS book from 1989

i do NOT have images of these items except for the nest with hedgehog pictured below. you will just have to believe me about the rest.

Findings 2.

This I found in the magic dumpster last week. 1994 Internet Yellow pages.

obviously had to find all the gay stuff

And this book arrived in the dumpster 3 days before I received a much anticipated similar but different Internet Phone Book.

1994 / 2025

I've been a fan of these guys for a long time and love what they do. I feel like the garbage has been sending me messages to code again and I'm going to listen! As a young beekeeper said to me recently, tending bees, sewing clothes... when I make things myself I understand the actual value of the things around me! I think computers are very tricky this way (under capitalism) because they are so good at hiding labor and creativity. Ana just sent me this site permacomputing, and I'll leave you with an excerpt that resonated on the theme of Refusal:

Not Doing
To reduce the resource use and waste generated by technology, embracing 'not doing' aka 'refusal' is essential for achieving degrowth. Given computing’s potential for violence and oppression, resistance and collective action must go beyond abstract ideals of justice. They should create opportunities to question the foundations of technical projects and actively reimagine more just futures. By refusing the idea of technological inevitability, we enable forms of resistance to emerge and alternative futures to be considered.

ok!

that's it for me this week since I want to get this out and start making my slutty ghost luxury condo costume. I hope:

1. that this email finds you!
2. to see you sunday!
3. to receive your Findings via trashclubnyc@gmail.com !
4. that you have a freaky freaky hallo eve!

much love,

trash club

this weeks newsletter compiled by slammer