Notes from Class (2/1/16): Vision & Theories of Change
Discussion Leaders: Lisa Otto & Hannah Rosenfeld
We started the discussion around the skill of futuring. Cameron argued that it’s a skill few have. We discussed the importance of being able to think the future and that a predominant narrative within technology circles is that we cannot predict the future — we can only A/B test an MVP. We talked about the importance of seeing futuring and transition design as platforming — not a final outcome but a series of always existing steps that need to be taken. We also considered the difference between technical and social change (often people consider technological change as the preeminent mode of change).
We discussed the importance of understanding our underlying values and assumptions when trying to envision futures — this means it’s important to have an understanding of our sociotechnical history. We discussed how we become “alien to ourselves” (perhaps through a “violent encounter”). We also talked about catalysts for change — and at what scale we should be speaking at (personal or social change). We moved onto Theories of Change, where Cameron explained that few enumerate their plan or understanding of how to get an initiative to a “solution.”
