Here are five practice principles: obtain perspective, maintain a spirit of optimistic contrarianism, embrace the unexpected, protecte creative dreams, and always be curios. These are the things that help keep futures-oriented work vibrant and meaningful.

Here’s a proposal inspired by Richard Powers’ novel "Bewilderment" and his conversation with Ezra Klein. It emphasizes the importance of nurturing expansive imagination, especially in youth, to envision hopeful climate futures. The proposal suggests engaging children in imaginative exercises to foster a richer understanding of possible futures, moving beyond technological solutions to embrace creativity and wonder.

Here I introduce Design Fiction through reflections on jogging’s origins, highlighting Bill Bowerman’s 1967 manual as an imaginative artifact that rehearsed a future where people embraced running for health. It contrasts the mundane acceptance of jogging today with the bold mindset needed to envision change, emphasizing curiosity about ordinary things, the importance of crafting artifacts from possible futures, and the resilience required when facing skepticism while pursuing visionary ideas.

There are limitations to relying solely on statistics and predictions when imagining future possibilities. Statistics are structures way of providing a methodology and structure to the ways we sense into the possibilities and opportunities that may lie before us. But, it is important to not let statistics be the only way we imagine futures. Rich narratives, evocative experiences, and imaginative explorations are essential for fully appreciating and engaging with potential outcomes. Why is it that statistics, research, and a penchant for prediction seem to dominate our collective imagination of the future? Is it because they provide a sense of certainty and control in an otherwise uncertain world? Or is it because they are easier to communicate and understand than more complex and nuanced visions of the future? Design Fiction offers a way to explore and imagine diverse outcomes, stimulating our imagination and encouraging us to think beyond the limitations of statistics and predictions. In this post, we will explore the...

1. For the longest time ever, the wheel has been rolling ‘round. 2. Perhaps for longer than the wheel has been around, humans have lugged around their stuff. 3. Going from one dwelling to another, whether to set out...

1\. I once heard — so it’s hearsay and anecdotal, but maybe useful as a provocation — that one of the unique qualities of human consciousness is an ability to imagine as if things were otherwise, or other than things...

Life is a tapestry woven with threads of creativity, connection, and the pursuit of meaning. The author reflects on a friendship that blossomed years ago, rooted in shared passions and artistic exploration. As they reunite, conversations unfold around the delicate balance of making money versus making meaning, emphasizing the importance of touching souls through creativity. Ultimately, this journey leads to the realization that true fulfillment comes from creating something that resonates deeply within a community, sparking wonder and reflection in those who encounter it.

1. I heard the most simple and resonant description of integrity the other day. 2. It was so resonant, at least to the matrix of my own consciousness at that moment, that I played it over probably a dozen times over the...

1. I told this story a couple weeks ago to a guy who was interested in buying a majority interest in a company I started. For some reason, likely my very theatrical imagination, I thought I should have some...