Inspiring action through progressive ideas

“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

The world is getting screwed—and not in the good way. 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. Sower will paint a picture of what life could look like if we chose a progressive future instead. It will also highlight how you, no matter who you are, have the power to change the world by providing concrete actions you can take to bring a better timeline into existence.

The lowdown

By subscribing to Sower you can expect:

• Feature articles, complete with original illustrations or other visual elements, regularly delivered to your inbox. 
• A monthly round-up of relevant reads and curated media recommendations.
• Occasional essays, book reviews and more.
• A zero tolerance policy to generative “AI” and the slop it emits.

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 providing 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 where the work is 100% produced by queer creatives.

Who’s behind Sower?

My name is Jack McGovan. I'm a freelance environmental journalist whose work has been published in outlets like The Guardian, WIRED, and euronews. Sower is a space for me to share ideas that I’ve been collecting and thinking about over the years. 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.

The inspiration for the name and concept come from Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower, a story that explores the power of community and living your values even in the face of overwhelming odds. It's one of my favourite books of all time. 

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

Features are edited by Ruxandra Grecu and Libby Langhorn.