Media for a better tomorrow

“You cannot buy the revolution. You cannot make the revolution. You can only be the revolution. It is in your spirit, or it is nowhere” – Ursula K. Le Guin, The Dispossessed

Modern life isn't all it's cracked up to be. A wave of right-wing authoritarianism is rising faster than global temperatures, finding a secure place to live is harder than removing the mould when you move in, and the only thing tighter than our belts is the grip tech giants have on power.

But we don’t have to live like this. Our current trajectory isn’t inevitable. Through on-the-ground reporting from Berlin and Europe, Sower will bring you a look at the people and communities fighting to make sure we have a better future—one that works for everybody instead. The hope is that it will inspire you to act in your local community, thereby helping all of us to collectively bring a better timeline into existence.

The lowdown

By subscribing to Sower you can expect:

• Reporting from on-the-ground in Berlin and Europe—as well as essays, niche book reviews, and more—delivered to your inbox typically on Wednesdays.
• A couple of illustrated longreads every year that dig deep into the systemic issues facing our world and how to solve them.
• A monthly round-up of relevant reads and curated media recommendations (for free and paid subscribers only).
• A zero tolerance policy to generative “AI” and the slop it produces.

Sower is completely free to read. However, taking out a paid subscription or making a one-off donation:

• Helps ensure the longevity of the project by covering the costs of researching, writing, editing, and illustrating articles at a time when “AI” is destroying creative livelihoods.
• Will contribute to making articles more accessible i.e helping us buy equipment to provide audio recordings.
• Will mean you're not forgotten. There are plans in the pipeline for paid subscribers and early supporters will be remembered.
• Supports a project which is fronted by queer creatives.

Who’s behind Sower?

My name is Jack McGovan. I'm a freelance environmental journalist and writer whose work has appeared in outlets like The Guardian, WIRED, and The Atlantic. Sower is a space for me to write about ideas that don't neatly fit into the paradigm of traditional media outlets. Much of the writing is influenced by my journalism, my experiences as a queer person living in an oppressive system, and my engagement with speculative fiction and media more broadly.

Why Sower?

The inspiration for the name and concept come from Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower, a story that explores the power of people to change the world even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Contact and miscellaneous

If you're interested in reaching out you can contact Jack: jackmcgovan[at]protonmail[dot]com.

The logo and all illustrations are original works created by Vilko Jakubek.

Articles are edited where noted by Ruxandra Grecu and Libby Langhorn.