Speculative Everything

En savoir plus sur le livre

Design can be a powerful tool for creating not just objects, but also ideas and speculations about possible futures. In this exploration, the authors advocate for a type of design that goes beyond making technology user-friendly and appealing. They emphasize the importance of using design to imagine how things could be, rather than merely predicting trends, which often proves inaccurate. By posing "what if" questions, they aim to spark discussions about the futures people desire or wish to avoid. This work provides a glimpse into a cultural landscape rich with innovative design concepts and methodologies. The authors reference their own projects and those from various fields, including fine art, architecture, and cinema, while also drawing insights from futurology, political theory, and philosophy. Examples include imaginative ideas like a solar kitchen restaurant, a robotic clock, and devices for food foraging utilizing synthetic biology. The authors argue that increased speculation can make reality more flexible, suggesting that the ideas generated through speculative design can enhance the likelihood of achieving preferred futures.