Join the upcoming Office Hours The Side Project Edition N°315 on July 3, 2026, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM Pacific on Zoom. This session invites participants to share their side projects, prototypes, and research questions in a collaborative environment. Attendees will engage in a structured format, allowing for a brief introduction followed by a group discussion aimed at providing valuable feedback. Featured in this edition are the Four Design Fiction Books, essential resources for speculative practice, including *The...

This edition explores speculative strategy and the future of hygiene, featuring insights from Ronda Ringfort-Felner, Judith Doerrenbaecher, and Marc Hassenzahl on the quality of speculation in HCI. It discusses the impact of spreadsheets on finance consciousness leading to the 2008 crisis, highlights an important lecture at the ICA, and presents a podcast conversation with Sarah Rothberg and Marina Zurkow. The narrative emphasizes the potential of weak signals and emerging social rituals to inform strategic choices, illustrated by Graeme...

Join the Office Hours N°314 on June 26, 2026, for a collaborative session focused on Design Fiction and speculative practice. This week's gathering will feature project-share slots, allowing participants to present their work and receive constructive feedback. The session promises engaging discussions on creative projects, tools, and systems. Additionally, explore the sale of four essential Design Fiction books, including *The Manual of Design Fiction* and *Androids Dream of Electric Sheep*, which serve as valuable references for imagination and...

This edition explores the transformation of prediction markets from niche communities to mainstream culture, driven by technological advancements and shifts in consumer behavior. “Tomorrow's News Today” is supported by my paid subscribers. Consider becoming one yourself. In this issue I examine the implications of speculative prototyping in understanding these trends and how they shape our social landscape. The newsletter highlights the concept of "applied speculation" as a practice honed over two decades, making future scenarios more tangible...

This edition examines the interplay between craft and strategy, drawing on Henry Mintzberg's insights from his 1980s essay on the importance of integrating the craftsman's mind with hands-on work. It discusses how speculative design can enhance strategic planning by providing a tangible connection to future possibilities. The newsletter introduces a new speculative design newsletter that translates current signals into plausible futures, featuring ads and product reviews that blend forecasting with fiction. Additionally, it highlights a civic AI exhibition...

This edition features a collection of insights and resources focused on the future, including a quote from Ken Anderson about living alongside imperfect systems. It highlights a library entry on forecasting methods by Janice J. Tait, a workshop on futuring in Denver, and the Geneva Street Map project that navigates autonomous vehicle integration in urban environments. The newsletter also introduces a color palette tool, discusses personal tooling inspired by Ken Anderson's observations, and revisits the Applied Intelligence Issue...