A salon-style discussion about the role of science fiction in shaping our future. Entrepreneurs are using science fiction as a strategy for decision-making and strategic thinking. What if we could use science fiction to create habitable worlds rather than agonizing over the other guys' futures?

Next week I'll be giving a talk to students and faculty at Princeton University's Keller Center for Innovation in Engineering Education. The talk is titled “Imagination in the era of AI” in which I will be talking about the relationship of Imagination and Innovation, and how the two are always productively entangled in the work I do at Near Future Laboratory. My hypothesis in this context is that the intersection of Imagination and Innovation is not only essential for navigating the complexities of a rapidly evolving technological landscape but also serves as a catalyst for transformative solutions that address pressing global challenges.

A talk at USC's Iovine and Young Academy for their Master of Science in Integrated Design, Business and Technology program at a Future of Work workshop hosted by Yihyun Lim. I shared how I used design fiction and speculative design to find a more expansive canvas to describe my company OMATA to prospective investors.

This discussion explores the concept of Design Fiction as a methodology for creating tangible and evocative prototypes of possible near futures to understand the consequences of decision-making. Julian Bleecker, who coined the term with Bruce Sterling, elaborates on his interdisciplinary approach combining engineering, design, and speculative storytelling. The conversation gets into into the origins and practices of Design Fiction, its application in corporate settings, and its importance in nurturing imaginative thinking. Highlighting the value of imagination as a crucial skill, Bleecker emphasizes the need to encourage students and professionals alike to envision and create innovative futures through material culture, thereby making abstract futures concrete.

”Twenty years ago, here at South By Southwest, I was on a panel where the term “design fiction” was made public. Before Julian Bleecker invented and deployed that term, there were many things going on that resembled “design fiction.” But nobody knew “how to do design fiction.” The ideas and approaches were diffuse, they weren’t crystallised.” — Bruce Sterling

A photo of Nicolas Nova with Maywa Denki I took at SxSW 2012.

Episode 095 of the podcast is up! A coffee table conversation with futures guy, author, creative leader, and all-around good guy Phil Balagtas. We discuss his new book “Making Futures Work” and the challenges and triumphs of writing an all-encompassing book on futures practice, exploring the evolution of speculative design and the importance of imagination as a critical element in futures work.

There are curious opportunities for using Design Fiction in branding and marketing contexts to help companies explore possible futures through speculative storytelling and prototype-driven narratives. Unlike traditional advertising, which focuses on present-day products, Design Fiction immerses audiences in “what if” scenarios that engage, challenge, and open up conversations. Brands leveraging this approach can disrupt industry norms, refine long-term strategies, and align with shifting consumer values. By embracing speculative storytelling, companies can reimagine their role in the world and position themselves as cultural pioneers.

I recently had the pleasure of joining Radha Mistry on the Future Feelings podcast to discuss Imagination, world-building and designing more habitable futures. We explored the tensions between creativity and structure, and shared inspiring examples of imagination in action. A great discussion with Radha that I hope you'll enjoy.