nodernas

Nodernas is a term used in speculative sociology and cultural critique to denote a hypothetical community or ideology that rejects or minimizes aspects of contemporary modernity in favor of traditional, low-tech, or pre-industrial ways of life. It is not linked to a single organization or program but functions as a lens for examining responses to digitalization, environmental stress, and urbanization.

Origin and usage: The word nodernas is a neologism formed from no- and modern, and it appears mainly in essays, thought experiments, and fiction rather than as an official movement. In these contexts, it is used to explore what life might resemble outside dense networks of technology and mass media, rather than to advocate a uniform political platform.

Characteristics: In imagined nodernas communities, priority is given to low-energy or off-grid living, local production, and craft-based economies. Social structures tend toward resilience, mutual aid, and self-reliance, with education and healthcare framed around local resources. Communication often emphasizes face-to-face interaction and oral traditions, while digital technologies are minimized or avoided. Environmental stewardship and deliberate simplicity are commonly highlighted values.

Relation to other ideas: Nodernas is often discussed alongside concepts such as anti-globalization, degrowth, and the critique of digital culture. It is presented both as a theoretical counterpoint to modern efficiencies and as a vehicle for examining the feasibility and ethics of reduced technological dependence.

See also: Luddite, Degrowth, Off-grid living, Slow movement, Sustainable communities.