Meet the man building a starter kit for civilization

Source: MIT Technology Review – AI

In 2025, Marcin Jakubowski lives a self-sufficient life enabled by the Global Village Construction Set (GVCS), a suite of 50 machines designed to build civilization from scratch. Dissatisfied with traditional agricultural machinery, which restricts farmers’ autonomy, Jakubowski advocates for open-source technology that allows individuals to repair, customize, and build their own equipment. By making schematics and materials accessible, he envisions a future of collaboration and innovation that empowers communities. Early success stories of GVCS enthusiasts highlight the importance of this approach, as individuals build machines that facilitate self-reliance. Jakubowski’s vision includes not just farming tools but energy-efficient homes, sustainable practices, and a fundamental shift in how we interact with technology, emphasizing repairability and local materials.

Jakubowski draws parallels with past philosophies of self-sufficiency and emphasizes the need for ‘appropriate technology’ tailored to local contexts. His ambitious goal is to contribute to a society with low production costs and equitable access to essential goods and services. With his Future Builders Academy, he aims to cultivate community skills for modular home construction, making the benefits of his work more widely available. Ultimately, Jakubowski advocates for a new relationship with technology that fosters collaboration rather than dependency, aiming for an ideal of technology that is accessible and equitable for all.

👉 Pročitaj original: MIT Technology Review – AI