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Method

If we want to look into the future, it is not as easy as looking into a crystal ball. The future is not black or white, but there are many different, contradicting possibilities ahead. The design agency Designit calls these different directions for the future ”Future Dualities”. They defined five sets of these contradicting developments.(26)

They say, „Thinking ahead is messy. In futurism, it is a widely accepted fact that we can not predict one true future. Instead, we can consider many possible futures. Some more probable than others. Some more preferable. But the further we think, the greater the uncertainty and complexity. So, essentially what this means is that there is not one direction forward, but many different - sometimes contradictory - directions happening at once. “ (27)

We look at these Future Dualities to create ideas that fit the many different futures ahead. Otherwise, our solutions might not be relevant in the future.

Figure 11 - Future Dualities own illustration based on (DesignIt, 2021)

Here are the dualities Designit defined. You can see them in Figure 11:

1. Community Self-organised communities rise above traditional institutions vs. Independence Isolation provides stability
2. Convenience Laziness is driving innovation  vs. Consideration From human-centered to humanity-centered
3. Fast Radical change tests the limits of human adaptability vs. Slow Searching for meaning forces us to slow down
4. Automation Everything is smooth sailing vs. Serendipity We just want to feel something
5. Centralization Power to the powerful vs. Distribution Power to the people (28)

Step 1: To understand these dualities better and get inspiration, the only task is to take a good look at each individual duality.

If you need examples you can try the AI text generator on the DesignIt website. It creates a future speculative startup based on two dualities directions and a theme you set. Each time you run the generator, a new startup pops up. Make sure to save some of the results.

Future Dualities: From a binary worldview to embracing hybrid futures

Dualities: Futures Generator - AI creating prototypes to inspire your futures

Documentation