The text discusses the importance of calibrating experiences when creating artefacts to convey possible futures. It emphasizes that while engaging audiences, one must balance between shocking and gentle approaches to effectively communicate complex ideas. Different audiences possess unique cultural idioms and expectations, making it crucial to tailor experiences accordingly. The authors illustrate their process through various projects, where familiar formats like newspapers or direct mail were used to introduce new concepts in a relatable manner. They highlight the significance of plausibility and familiarity in provoking deeper exploration of potential futures, while acknowledging that each project varies based on context and audience needs.
| name | description | change | 10-year | driving-force | relevancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calibrated Futures Communication | The need for tailored communication strategies to engage diverse audiences about future scenarios. | Shifting from generic future narratives to audience-specific, calibrated communication approaches. | In ten years, communication about futures will be highly tailored, enhancing audience engagement and understanding. | Growing recognition of audience diversity and the need for relevant, context-specific communication. | 4 |
| Emphasis on Familiar Artefacts | Using familiar artefacts to bridge the gap between the known and unknown in future scenarios. | Moving from abstract future concepts to the use of relatable, tangible artefacts in communication. | In a decade, the integration of familiar artefacts will be standard in future-related discussions, enhancing relatability. | Desire to make complex future scenarios more accessible and understandable for wider audiences. | 5 |
| Incremental Engagement | An approach that favors gradual engagement with audiences on future topics rather than overwhelming them. | Transitioning from shock tactics to incremental, dialogue-driven engagement strategies. | Future engagement strategies will prioritize gradual understanding and collaboration over immediate provocation. | Recognition that sustained engagement leads to deeper understanding and acceptance of future concepts. | 4 |
| Collective Future Exploration | Encouraging collective exploration of futures among diverse groups for richer dialogue. | From individualistic future thinking to collaborative, group-based explorations of possible futures. | In ten years, collaborative future exploration will be the norm, fostering community and shared understanding. | The increasing complexity of global challenges necessitates collective approaches to planning for the future. | 5 |
| Mundane Objects as Future Proxies | Utilizing everyday objects to provoke thoughts and discussions about future scenarios. | Shifting the focus from high-concept future scenarios to everyday items that reflect potential futures. | Everyday objects will be widely used as tools for discussing and visualizing future possibilities. | The desire to make future discussions more relatable and grounded in everyday experiences. | 4 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Audience Disconnection | Overly shocking or vague futures may alienate audiences, undermining engagement and limiting productive dialogue about future possibilities. | 4 |
| Cultural Sensitivity | Failure to account for diverse cultural idioms and expectations can lead to miscommunication and ineffective futures experiences. | 4 |
| Incremental Progress Challenges | Moving too swiftly in exploring futures may overwhelm audiences, hindering their ability to engage thoughtfully with potential changes. | 5 |
| Impact Measurement Difficulty | Lack of effective monitoring tools to evaluate the impact of artefacts on audience perception and understanding of future scenarios. | 3 |
| Familiarity vs. Novelty Balance | Striking the right balance between familiar and novel forms is critical to facilitate understanding without triggering resistance. | 5 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Calibrating Audience Engagement | Tailoring content and delivery based on audience context to foster meaningful discussions about futures. | 5 |
| Incremental Futures Exploration | Progressing alongside audiences toward new futures rather than forcing rapid change. | 4 |
| Familiarity as a Bridge | Using recognizable forms and formats to ease audiences into exploring unfamiliar futures. | 5 |
| Plausibility Over Shock | Prioritizing believable scenarios over shocking elements to encourage deeper audience engagement. | 5 |
| Culturally Sensitive Futurism | Considering cultural idioms and organizational norms to craft relevant future narratives. | 4 |
| Utilizing Everyday Artefacts | Employing mundane objects to invoke discussions about potential futures and engage broader audiences. | 5 |
| Diverse Communication Strategies | Implementing varied formats to cater to different audience needs and enhance engagement with future concepts. | 4 |
| description | relevancy | src |
|---|---|---|
| Creating tangible artefacts that allow audiences to engage with possible futures through immersive experiences. | 4 | 60ca937aa44bdaf31b5128e3b4f01fe9 |
| Designing artefacts or experiences that provoke thought and discussion about future scenarios and their implications. | 5 | 60ca937aa44bdaf31b5128e3b4f01fe9 |
| Using familiar media formats like newspapers to convey complex data implications in an accessible manner. | 4 | 60ca937aa44bdaf31b5128e3b4f01fe9 |
| Gradually guiding audiences toward future possibilities through familiar contexts and dialogue. | 4 | 60ca937aa44bdaf31b5128e3b4f01fe9 |
| Understanding and adapting to the cultural contexts of audiences when presenting future scenarios. | 3 | 60ca937aa44bdaf31b5128e3b4f01fe9 |
| Creating fictional items that represent plausible future scenarios to stimulate conversation and reflection. | 4 | 60ca937aa44bdaf31b5128e3b4f01fe9 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Calibrating Communication for Future Engagement | The need to tailor communication strategies for diverse audiences when discussing potential futures. | 4 |
| Audience Readiness for Future Concepts | Understanding varying levels of audience receptivity and cultural contexts when introducing speculative futures. | 5 |
| Use of Familiar Artefacts in Future Speculation | Leveraging familiar items in creative ways to bridge the gap between current realities and potential futures. | 4 |
| Incremental Approach to Future Engagement | The importance of gradual engagement with future concepts to foster dialogue and comprehension. | 5 |
| Impact Measurement of Future Artefacts | Challenges in assessing the effectiveness and influence of future-oriented communication tools. | 3 |
| Public Discussion on Policy and Future Issues | Creating platforms for public discourse on future implications of current policies and societal changes. | 4 |