There is a change superstorm on the horizon – a volatile mix of climate, social, technological change.
Can we avoid it? No. Can we work with it? Yes, even better – with a bit of creativity, innovation, passion and courage – we can lead it. The other alternative is the known – taking us right back to our base line: the imminent arrival of a change superstorm.
- If you want to save the planet, your pet, garden, family, humanity – real change is required.
- If you want to use technologies, like AI, for good – real change is required.
- If you want to live your values, and assist others to do the same – real change is required.
- If you want to experience a different world for yourself, others, your family – real change is required.
Real change is a complex beast – a kaleidoscope of subjective (emotive, mental), practical actions, structural relationships and connections. It is simultaneously visible and invisible; objective and subjective; commonsense, logical and idiotic; rational and fantasy, potentially fun and exciting, fulfilling and functional, and equally as terrifying, fear producing and debilitating (dysfunctional).
Real change takes time – unfortunately, for the developed world at least, dominant definitions of quality are defined through how quickly things can be consumed: fast track degrees; recreational equipment designed for mass consumption and quick progression, fast food. Change is equated with consumption and expedience saves the day. In reality it does exactly the opposite.
Expedience diverts us from change – on any level; it assists in maintaining our delusional mirage, busy (usually consuming something – doing something) equates to normalcy.
We are busy, life is hectic, filled with stresses and anxiety that maybe we aren’t aware of, but things will get better because somewhere someone is taking responsibility for all the things we can’t. Right? Hmm?
- Technological developments will fix climate change?
- Clever people will develop all sorts of solutions to a myriad of problems – technical, medical, social, political, financial?
- If we keep consuming the economy will keep growing and eventually dependence on nasty fossil fuels will just stop?
Technological developments, clever people, and even consumption – can lead to real change in every area of life on planet earth, but these changes aren’t just going to happen. We need to take responsibility for them, if we don’t:
- technological advances will be a law unto themselves – offering solutions for all manner of problems that pay no deference to social life, including inequalities – local and global.
- Clever people will develop clever solutions – but these solutions will be isolated, applied to specialist areas. Efforts will be made to cross fertilise ideas, interconnect solutions across a range of problems – but this will take time. And humanity has created an inherent dislike, even paranoia, about the validity of things that take time from genesis to fruition.
- Global dependence on fossil fuels isn’t going anywhere – unless sections of humanity that can afford to do something about fossil fuel dependence understand the implications of fossil fuels on every day lives, including consumption patterns: Real Change requires leading by example.
To affect real change it is important, crucial, to be able to make connections and links between Climate, Social and Technological Change. Once we understand these, we can make invisible pathways visible – objective, quantifiable – real. Now we have a starting point, from that point we can explore, measure, experience – the change we create.
For example, an App that measures our carbon footprint from an aeroplane flight doesn’t necessarily create change. It’s an historical track of a consumption pattern, but it doesn’t instantly translate into creating new patterns.
Creating change – on a multiple of levels (subjective, objective, structural) – that is foci driven (Climate, Social, Technological) requires an approach that connects, bridges, explores the links between these areas. There is no doubt that technology has made this exploration easier, and the development of a tangible outcome – one that supports the creation of change – a real possibility.
The potential of accessible technologies that can support the creation of different futures (not just track the past) are realised when they are developed in conjunction with an understanding that their existence is interconnected with, and a reflection of, Social Change. Climate Change didn’t just happen – it is a direct reflection of Social Change.
Social Change is the elephant in the room when it comes to the climate crisis – yet it should be front and centre of efforts to address the crisis, because it caused it. This is Social Responsibility.
The effects of Climate Change cannot be mitigated without addressing, and changing, the social world that underpins it. This social world didn’t just happen – like Climate Change, it has developed and evolved structurally, subjectively and practically over a period of time.
Real Change comes from understanding the interconnectedness of the Social, Climate, Technological environs. This is the starting point of the Socio-Tech-Imaginary.
- What can be imagined? Who knows?
- What form(s) can the Socio-Tech-Imaginary take – an App., a program, game, educational module?
- What sort of team could work with the Socio-Tech-Imaginary? What would this development process look like?
I don’t know all the answers – but I can imagine some, and that is the profundity of the Socio-Techno-Imaginary: its potential is infinite – limited only by our imaginations.
The Socio-Tech-Imaginary interface is an untouched wilderness that needs exploring, the potential and possibilities are endless. They include Real Change and this is everyone’s Social Responsibility.
Louise Bricknell (E louise@louisebricknell.com.au)
The term, Socio-Tech-Imaginary, was coined by a member of the Pearcey Foundation, during a webinar discussion about the role of Technology in society, July 2021 (www.pearcey.org.au)