Futures

Exploring Critical Futures Studies: Key Questions and Recommendations, (from page 20240915.)

External link

Keywords

Themes

Other

Summary

This article discusses Critical Futures Studies (CFS), a field initiated by Sohail Inayatullah, focusing on deconstructing existing images of the future rather than creating new ones. Key questions are proposed by Luke Goode and Michael Godhe to critically evaluate future visions and their political economies. These questions help to uncover the motivations and assumptions behind future narratives, highlighting their limited predictive power. Additionally, the article recommends ‘Our Shared Storm’ by Andrew Dana Hudson, which uses speculative fiction to explore climate futures, and refers to a talk by Charles Stross on the influence of science fiction in Silicon Valley. The author invites reader engagement by encouraging questions about future studies.

Signals

name description change 10-year driving-force relevancy
Critical Futures Studies (CFS) A movement focused on deconstructing existing future visions rather than creating new ones. Shift from creating future scenarios to analyzing and questioning existing narratives. CFS may lead to a more critical engagement with future narratives in society. Increasing skepticism towards mainstream future predictions and narratives. 4
Speculative Fiction as a Tool for Foresight Using narrative storytelling to explore potential futures, particularly climate scenarios. Emergence of narrative-driven foresight methods in climate discussions. Widespread adoption of narrative approaches in future studies and climate policy. Need for relatable and engaging ways to communicate complex climate issues. 4
Political Economy of the Future Framework for analyzing who shapes and discusses future visions and their impacts. Growing recognition of the influence of power dynamics on future narratives. Increased transparency and accountability in how future narratives are produced. Demand for critical analysis of power structures in discourse. 5
Public Contestation of Future Visions Emerging dialogues about the contested nature of future predictions in public life. Shift towards more democratic discourse on future visions and their implications. Greater public engagement and debate regarding future scenarios. Desire for inclusive discussions on future trajectories. 3
Influence of Science Fiction on Technology Trends Recognition of how science fiction shapes technology narratives and innovations. Increased awareness of the cultural origins of tech trends and their implications. Tech developments may increasingly reflect diverse narrative influences. Cultural narratives driving technological innovation and adoption. 4

Concerns

name description relevancy
Manipulation of Future Narratives The risk of influential figures manipulating future narratives to serve personal or corporate agendas, leading to distorted public perceptions of feasible futures. 5
Exclusion from Future Scenarios Certain demographics may be excluded from envisioned futures, raising ethical concerns about who benefits or suffers from proposed future scenarios. 4
Political Influence on Future Discourses The political economy shaping future images can influence societal direction, possibly marginalizing alternative viewpoints or futures. 5
Dependency on Influencers for Future Visions Relying on prominent figures for future predictions could create a homogenized perspective, lacking diversity in envisioning future possibilities. 4
Climate Futures Uncertainty The uncertainty of climate futures and their implications for society may be oversimplified in narratives, potentially downplaying serious risks and complexities. 5
Impact of Speculative Fiction Speculative fiction’s role in influencing real-life technologies and policies could lead to unintended consequences if narratives are taken as reality. 3
Public Engagement with Future Planning Engagement in future planning processes may be limited, affecting the quality of public discourse on future scenarios and their implications. 4

Behaviors

name description relevancy
Critical Evaluation of Future Narratives Engaging with and questioning the narratives presented by influential figures about the future, rather than passively accepting them. 5
Deconstruction of Future Images Identifying and deconstructing existing visions of the future to understand their underlying assumptions and motivations. 5
Political Economy of the Future Analysis Analyzing the institutional and social contexts that shape future visions, including the actors and media involved. 4
Speculative Fiction as a Tool for Futures Thinking Using speculative fiction to explore and understand complex future scenarios, particularly regarding climate change. 4
Public Contestation of Future Ideas Encouraging public discussion and contestation around different visions of the future to reveal biases and power dynamics. 3
Narrative Approach to Climate Issues Employing narrative storytelling to communicate complex climate change scenarios and engage a wider audience. 4
Engagement with Community in Futures Studies Creating spaces for community engagement and discussion around futures studies and related questions. 3

Technologies

description relevancy src
A framework for evaluating and deconstructing visions of the future by asking critical questions about their origins and implications. 4 7a28378358b7308fd9765a640eeb560c
Using storytelling to explore complex climate futures through interconnected narratives and scenarios, enhancing understanding of real-world issues. 4 7a28378358b7308fd9765a640eeb560c
An analytical framework to understand who shapes future narratives and their impact on public perception and discourse. 3 7a28378358b7308fd9765a640eeb560c
Exploring the relationship between science fiction narratives and the development of current technologies like crypto and web3. 4 7a28378358b7308fd9765a640eeb560c

Issues

name description relevancy
Critical Futures Studies (CFS) A framework for deconstructing and critically evaluating future visions and their underlying assumptions and values. 4
Political Economy of the Future Analysis of institutional and societal dynamics that shape the creation and dissemination of future narratives. 5
Influence of Speculative Fiction on Technology Exploration of how narratives in science fiction impact technological trends and societal expectations, especially in Silicon Valley. 3
Narrative Approaches to Climate Futures The use of storytelling to explore and communicate complex climate scenarios and their implications for the future. 4
Engagement with Public Perception of Futures Understanding how images of the future are discussed, contested, and perceived in public discourse. 5