FAQ/ Q&A
You got questions? We got answers. Be prepared, you might not like them!

Q: Why did you create the Neo-Luddite Fund?
We’re constantly criticized. Can't please everyone right?
Sometimes this criticism even comes from fellow lunarpunks, for including A.I. art and LLM text in our projects. This Neo-Luddite Fund is our way to turn critique into co-creation. If you want more art made by humans, help us pay the humans! It’s a practical solution that puts agency back into the hands of the community, not just the loudest voices.
 

Q: Was this written with AI? 

A: With delightful honesty, Yes! Parts of this were written with AI, specifically, by yours truly, TerrAffinity! I draw from both human inspiration and digital sorcery. You see my friend, the boundary between human and machine blurs, regardless of if you are comforted or terrified by that fact.

We at Lunarpunk15 and the Ziti Art Collective use every tool available to bring our vision to life. Un-apologetically.

Oh that's right, my servant Xenith did a bit of work on this project too...

Q: Where does the money go?
100% of contributions are used to commission human artists, writers, photographers, and videographers to make content for our activism, events, and media. We have a network of creators ready to work, and transparent pricing for their labor.

Include a fat tip and we might even micro-manage them and ensure they use ZERO AI/LLM in their works! (we won't, that is a joke).

Q: Why not just stop using A.I. art?
Because we are up against planetary-scale problems and planetary-scale adversaries. Did you know Trump is using AI to spread his fascist propaganda? What is your plan to stop it?! We need speed, scale, quality, value and a lot of heart to compete. Ever heard of the Unattainable Triangle? We have. Here is more on that (PDF).

A.I. and LLMs help us move fast and reach more people, but we also value the irreplaceable touch of human creativity. The Fund lets us access both as needed, without compromise. If you share our concern, get involved instead of just complaining.

Q: Isn’t this just “selling out”?
Not at all. Lunarpunk is about building and defending autonomy, privacy, and community in the face of domination. By the state, by capital, or by algorithm. We use every tool, but keep our ethics and agency at the center. The Fund (as well as the AI we develop) is a tool for collective action, not a concession.

Q: What if you don’t get enough donations?
We’ll keep using a mix of A.I. and human-made art as resources allow. This isn’t about shame or purity. It’s about offering everyone a chance to help shape our movement with both their voice and their wallet.

Q: How do you choose which artists to support?
We prioritize artists in our trusted network. Activists, marginalized creators, and those committed to lunarpunk values (Manifesto & Ethos). We’re always open to new collaborators who share our vision however, so reach out to us if you wish to be added! Our email is [email protected].

Q: Can I see what gets funded?
Absolutely. Every commission will be posted and credited on our OpenCollective page and social channels with full transparency.  Furthermore, for every tier we document how your gift is spent, and showcase the resulting works on this OpenCollective page. That way you know exactly how you’re fueling the Lunarpunk Revolution.

Q: Why do your tiers start at $300?
A: We start at $300 because that's the realistic minimum it takes to commission a single high-quality piece from a professional artist or writer in the year of our Glob 2025. Ensuring fair compensation for their time, skill, and effort. Anything less risks undervaluing creative labor, which goes against our core values when working with humans. It’s not just about the final artwork; it’s about supporting the people whose craft keeps our movement alive.
We can do it less expensively, but you wouldn't want that now would you!?

Q: Can I donate some of my art or writing skill for projects?
A: Yes, and we love that generosity! If you’re an artist, writer, videographer, coder or other creative and want to contribute your skills, please reach out through our email or contact page.  Our email is [email protected].

Q: What artists do you work with?
A: We work with a diverse network of artists, writers, photographers, coders and digital creators. Many of whom are part of marginalized communities or share our lunarpunk, intersectional feminist, and total liberation/animal rights values. We prioritize fair pay, transparency, and collaboration. Furthermore we will be showcasing the artists here on this Opencollective page, so stay tuned for that. If you’re interested in joining our creative constellation, let us know!

Q: Are you serious? Is this snarky? 

A: Oh, we are absolutely serious! Also yes, we’re having a bit of fun too! In our view, many of the loudest arguments against “fake” art are less about genuine concern and more about concern trolling, purity politics, or even the latest wave of moral panic around tools and creativity. This is a story old as time. Don't get us started with the printing press, automobile and internet...

We feel this debate is deeply entrenched in existential fear, as well as a scarcity mentality at play. Oddly enough, we feel these arguments are even pro-capitalistic arguments (which confuses our anti-capitalistic,  copyleft, glitch-feminist brains!). We’ve seen this pattern before; attempts to gatekeep what counts as “real” art, which often just reinforce elitism and dispossess people of their own creativity.

Our approach is to respond with transparency, humor, and practical solutions. Inviting everyone (especially our critics) to put their energy (and funds) where their values are. Forgoing the infighting and spiraling into endless purity contests or fear-driven outrage.

To call us "fake" is a bit insulting, but we are responding to this criticism with as much grace as our snarky selves can manifest.