Why, How, What - Introducing Speculative Everything
The Vision Behind 'Speculative Everything', Unveiling the Purpose
As the pandemic's shadows began to recede in 2021, I found myself in Aarhus, immersed in a cultural project during a time when an explosion of culture was revitalizing this quaint corner of the world.
Our project, Aarhus Futura, intended to envision life in the cities in 5 years “all the time, every time”, and it was framed as a digital arts festival.
It was then and there, amidst this rebirth, that I stumbled upon the realms of Speculative Design and Speculative Futures, disciplines that would forever alter my understanding of design's potential.
For two decades, my journey as a design student was primarily anchored in the worlds of Graphic and Product Design. Despite my extensive reading, the concept of Speculative Design had eluded me, lost perhaps amidst a sea of work, leisure, and, admittedly, my own oversight.
It wasn't until I read the book "Speculative Everything" that I realized design's broader implications and ramifications. Prior to this, I admit my view of design was substantially narrow, focused on enhancing the visual and functional aspects of objects and media.
The book "Speculative Everything" unveiled to me a dimension where design transcends its conventional boundaries, sparking transformative experiences and shaping political and societal discourse.
This revelation was so profound that I named this Substack, "Speculative Everything," after the book that so significantly shifted my perspective.
To my delight, the domain speculativeeverything.com was available, and I couldn’t resist the temptation.
Some definitions
If, like me, you are not a design professional, to ensure we're on the same page, let me delve a bit deeper into the concepts central to our discussions:
Speculative Design is not just about creating; it's about imagining. Dunne and Raby describe it as a domain where “Speculative design is an activity where conjecture is as good as knowledge, where futuristic and alternative scenarios convey ideas, and where the goal is to emphasize implications of “mindless” decisions for mankind.” focusing on the implications of our choices and encouraging us to think critically about future outcomes beyond commercial interests.
Speculative Fiction opens a window to the vast landscapes of imagination. It encompasses genres that break away from strict realism, inviting us into worlds fashioned by fantasy, science fiction, and beyond.
Speculative Futures, as defined by Johanna Hoffman, invite us to visualize potential worlds, bridging the gap between the present and the myriad possibilities that lie ahead. It's an approach that combines design, art, and storytelling to inspire and provoke thought about what could be.
Now that we have briefly defined the disciplines at hand, let me try to clarify the purpose of this publication.
Why
My intent with "Speculative Everything" mirrors the ethos of my other work, including Rebel Strokes. Essentially, this publication is designed to:
Serve as a place to collect, mix and disseminate ideas, embracing Austin Kleon's philosophy of "stealing like an artist."
Curate and showcase speculative projects that have ignited my imagination.
Share my own design narratives and projects, hoping to humbly contribute to the rich domain of speculative design.
Moreover, as we navigate through a world beset with numerous challenges, ranging from environmental crises to social injustices, it's clear that while existing solutions offer some relief, the imperative for innovative and forward-thinking strategies has never been more critical.
I believe in the power of technology, human collaboration and ingenuity to forge a path towards a more hopeful future, and I am committed to being a part of that change. In the spirit of proactive change, I echo Albert Camu's sentiment: “Real generosity towards the future lies in giving all to the present.”
It's about imagining a world where my son and generations to come can thrive in a world markedly better than our current one and pave the way to make it happen.
How
With the vast resources and collaborative potential of the Internet, we have the tools to explore new perspectives and create hopeful narratives.
By embracing citizen-driven solutions, such as citizen science and design, and leveraging multidisciplinary approaches, we can envision alternative futures where society lives in harmony with nature, peace prevails among nations, and equal opportunities are afforded to all.
As a not-for-profit endeavour, "Speculative Everything" is open to all, free from the constraints of paid subscriptions. In other words. Every post will be public.
With that in mind, I welcome and deeply value any financial support you choose to offer for this project. Your contributions will play a crucial role in advancing our shared goals.
Here is how.
Should this publication flourish, I pledge to donate 50% of all profits to causes close to my heart: Human Rights, Children's Welfare, and the Preservation and Regeneration of planet Earth. I’ll be sure to provide paid subscribers with quarterly regular updates on donations made via their contributions.
Now, let’s talk about what it is you will be getting weekly.
What
My goal is to release new content on a weekly basis, finding a harmonious balance between this initiative and my continuous work on Rebel Strokes.
Each piece will be distributed with an Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International Creative Commons License, fostering an environment of collective creativity that encourages modifying, enhancing, and building upon the original ideas and research shared. In essence, feel free to adapt, transform, and refine as you see fit.
Echoing the words of Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
This belief lies at the heart of what I aspire to accomplish with "Speculative Everything."
Wrapping up
Thank you for joining me at the launch of this journey.
If "Speculative Everything" resonates with you, please share it with others who might find value in our exploration of speculative design.
I invite you to collaborate, share your thoughts, and engage in building a better future together. Let's dream, design, and create a world of preferable futures, not just for us but for the generations that follow.