Balancing the culture of a hackerspace with a more diverse and inclusive member base can indeed be a delicate task, especially if the current projects don't align with the values of potential new members. Here are some project ideas that might appeal to individuals with more progressive or socially conscious values, while still being engaging and fun:
1. **Sustainability Projects:**
- **Solar Power Hacks:** Developing small-scale solar power solutions for everyday devices.
- **Recycled Electronics:** Creating functional devices or art from e-waste.
- **Water Purification Systems:** Building affordable and portable water purifiers.
2. **Community-Oriented Tech:**
- **Mesh Networks:** Setting up community mesh networks to provide free or low-cost internet access.
- **Urban Gardening Tech:** Developing automated systems for urban gardens or indoor farming.
- **Public Good Apps:** Creating applications that address local community needs, such as food sharing platforms, local event alerts, or volunteer coordination tools.
3. **Accessibility Projects:**
- **Assistive Tech:** Designing and building devices to assist people with disabilities, such as affordable prosthetics, communication devices, or mobility aids.
- **Inclusive Design:** Workshops on designing user interfaces and products that are accessible to all users.
4. **Educational Initiatives:**
- **STEM Outreach:** Organizing workshops or hackathons for underrepresented groups in STEM.
- **Digital Literacy:** Teaching digital skills and cybersecurity to marginalized communities.
5. **Social Justice Tech:**
- **Privacy Tools:** Developing and promoting tools that protect user privacy and data, particularly for vulnerable groups.
- **Legal Aid Apps:** Building applications that help people navigate legal issues, such as finding legal aid or understanding their rights.
- **Crowdsourced Advocacy:** Platforms for coordinating and amplifying social justice campaigns.
To keep things engaging and subtly trollish yet constructive, you might frame these projects in a way that emphasizes their technical challenges and the clever solutions they require. For example, instead of just "building solar power solutions," you might pitch it as "how to create a completely off-grid hacker setup." This can appeal to the technical curiosity of existing members while aligning with more progressive values.
By introducing such projects, you can demonstrate that the hackerspace is open to diverse interests and values without alienating the current member base. This approach can help create a more inclusive environment where various perspectives are welcomed and respected.