The concept of “imagineering,” introduced by Walt Disney, combines imagination and engineering to turn dreams into reality. This article explores broadening imagineering beyond entertainment to inspire a better future through creativity and positive visions. With references to thought leaders advocating for imaginative solutions, it highlights the importance of speculative fiction and various initiatives aimed at fostering collective imagination. Examples include Solarpunk, Protopian Futures, The Imagine Project, and The Good Life 2030 Project, all of which encourage envisioning sustainable and inclusive futures. The article underscores that by harnessing imagination, we can stimulate action towards realizing a more beautiful, equitable world.
| name | description | change | 10-year | driving-force | relevancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broader Concept of Imagineering | Expanding imagineering beyond theme parks to address global challenges and positive futures. | From entertainment-focused imagination to solutions-focused societal transformation. | Imagineering will be integrated into various sectors, inspiring innovative solutions for global issues. | Growing awareness of societal challenges and the need for creative solutions. | 4 |
| Positive Visions in Literature | Emergence of genres like Solarpunk and Cli-Fi that envision positive futures. | Shift from dystopian narratives to optimistic storytelling in speculative fiction. | Literature will increasingly reflect and inspire sustainable and equitable futures. | Desire for hope and actionable visions in response to climate change. | 5 |
| Protopian Futures | Concept of protopian futures emphasizing better but not perfect futures. | From binary utopian/dystopian thinking to nuanced, incremental improvements. | Cultural narratives will focus on achievable improvements and inclusivity in future visions. | Need for practical, inclusive approaches to future challenges. | 4 |
| The Imagine Project | Community-driven movement to visualize better cities and ecological transformation. | From abstract environmentalism to concrete, community-oriented ecological solutions. | Cities will be actively reimagined and transformed into ecologically harmonious spaces. | Community empowerment and the need for local ecological initiatives. | 5 |
| Good Life 2030 Project | Advertising industry creating positive visions for the future through citizen input. | From reactive advertising to proactive, vision-driven campaigns for a better future. | Advertising will play a key role in shaping societal aspirations and collective imagination. | Recognition of the power of narratives in influencing public perception and action. | 4 |
| Museums of the Future | Emergence of interactive museums focusing on future possibilities and community engagement. | From static exhibitions to dynamic, participatory experiences exploring future scenarios. | Museums will serve as platforms for community-led future explorations and innovations. | Desire for experiential learning and community involvement in future planning. | 4 |
| The Future Bazaar | A toolkit for community-driven collective imagination and creativity. | From isolated artistic expression to collaborative, co-creative future envisioning. | Communities will frequently engage in collective imagination, fostering innovation and creativity. | Need for inclusive creative spaces that empower diverse voices. | 3 |
| Urgent Optimists Community | Online community focusing on hope and positive societal transformation. | From despair over future challenges to a proactive mindset rooted in optimism. | A global culture of optimism and creativity will emerge, driving social change. | Human desire for connection, hope, and positive impact on society. | 5 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Overshadowing of Critical Issues | The emphasis on positive solutions might overshadow urgent, critical issues requiring immediate attention and action. | 4 |
| Sustainability vs. Idealism | The challenge of balancing imaginative solutions with realistic, sustainable practices in diverse socio-economic contexts. | 3 |
| Equity in Future Visions | Concerns about whether future visions adequately include marginalized communities and diverse perspectives. | 5 |
| Mainstreaming of Futuristic Concepts | The risk that imaginative projects may become commercialized and lose their innovative essence in pursuit of mainstream appeal. | 4 |
| Dependency on Technology | Potential over-reliance on technological solutions without addressing underlying cultural and social issues. | 4 |
| Cultural Appropriation | The appropriation of marginalized cultures in speculative visions without proper representation or credit. | 3 |
| Effectiveness of Fictional Narratives | Concern about the real-world impact of speculative fiction when it contrasts significantly with reality. | 4 |
| Generational Divide in Visioning | Disparities in how different generations perceive and engage in imagining futures could lead to disconnection and conflict. | 3 |
| Implementation of Imagined Solutions | The gap between envisioned solutions and their practical implementation in real-world contexts. | 5 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Broadened Imagineering | Extending the concept of imagineering beyond entertainment to address global challenges and envision a better future. | 5 |
| Positive Visioning | Emphasizing solutions-focused dreaming to inspire action and create compelling narratives for societal change. | 5 |
| Protopian Futures | Focusing on creating futures that are better than today, while acknowledging imperfection, rooted in cultural values and inclusivity. | 4 |
| Community-driven Environmental Movements | Initiatives like The Imagine Project inspire collective re-imagination of cities for ecological harmony and beauty. | 5 |
| Futuristic Museums | Museums evolving to showcase interactive experiences that allow audiences to engage with and shape future scenarios. | 4 |
| Co-creative Gatherings | Frameworks like The Future Bazaar that enable participants to collaboratively create alternative future visions from everyday objects. | 4 |
| Urgent Optimism | A community mindset combining realistic hope with creativity to inspire positive societal transformations. | 5 |
| Climate Fiction and Solarpunk | Emergence of genres like Cli-Fi and Solarpunk that explore climate-related narratives and positive sustainable futures. | 4 |
| Collective Imagination Projects | Crowdsourcing visions for future policies and urban development, engaging diverse community perspectives. | 5 |
| Anthropocene Goals | Setting ambitious goals for humanity beyond current sustainability targets, aiming for a truly awesome future. | 4 |
| description | relevancy | src |
|---|---|---|
| A movement in speculative fiction, art, and activism focused on positive visions for a sustainable civilization. | 5 | c8574c3fabcddaff47072c5b93a50476 |
| A literary genre exploring worlds shaped by climate change, promoting awareness and creative solutions. | 4 | c8574c3fabcddaff47072c5b93a50476 |
| Futures that are better than today but not perfect, focusing on cultural values and social ethics over technology. | 4 | c8574c3fabcddaff47072c5b93a50476 |
| A community-driven movement providing tools for visualising ecologically harmonious cities and inspiring transformation. | 5 | c8574c3fabcddaff47072c5b93a50476 |
| Interactive spaces showcasing near-future technologies and community-driven futures exploration. | 4 | c8574c3fabcddaff47072c5b93a50476 |
| A co-creative framework for imagining and designing alternative futures through everyday objects. | 3 | c8574c3fabcddaff47072c5b93a50476 |
| A documentary and initiative illustrating potential futures based on existing solutions for environmental regeneration. | 5 | c8574c3fabcddaff47072c5b93a50476 |
| A set of ambitious goals for humanity to strive for beyond the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. | 4 | c8574c3fabcddaff47072c5b93a50476 |
| An online community promoting resilience and creativity to inspire positive societal transformation. | 4 | c8574c3fabcddaff47072c5b93a50476 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Broader Application of Imagineering | Expanding the concept of imagineering beyond entertainment to address societal and environmental challenges. | 5 |
| Positive Visions in Speculative Fiction | The rise of Solarpunk and Cli-Fi as genres that inspire positive societal change through imaginative storytelling. | 4 |
| Protopian Futures | The concept of protopian futures emphasizes incremental improvements and cultural values over mere technological advancements. | 4 |
| Community-Driven Environmental Movements | Projects like The Imagine Project that engage communities in visualizing and creating sustainable urban futures. | 5 |
| The Role of Advertising in Cultural Change | The Good Life 2030 project explores how advertising can reshape perceptions of a desirable future. | 3 |
| Innovative Museum Experiences | Emergence of Museums of the Future that allow public interaction with conceptual future technologies and societal roles. | 3 |
| Imagination as a Tool for Social Change | Initiatives like The Urgent Optimists that leverage imaginative thinking to foster resilience and community action. | 4 |
| The Awesome Anthropocene Goals | A framework proposing ambitious goals for humanity post-2030 Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on a thriving future. | 3 |