Susanne Stauch

social.transformation.system.design.research

Un/Certain Futures, Symposium at HBK Braunschweig

The symposium focused on the role of design in social transformation processes. Can futures be designed for the better in a sustainable manner at all? Or will the effects of design interventions always be more or less random reactions to well-intentioned creative acts into otherwise independently evolving autopoietic systems? What is actually »the better«, which we aspire? Should the concept of design be completely rethought?

It was a multi-faceted mind opener. Thanks to the organisers and speakers for two inspiring days.

 

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Self Efficacy Through Opposition – Prof. Dr. Harald Welzer at UdK

After the recommendation by Prof. Dieter Raffler back last summer to read the book “think yourself – instructions to oppositions” by Harald Welzer I was grateful to have finally found a public figure who speaks the truth about the failure of our system, the need for each single person to start and get our hands dirty and especially to become active opposers of obvious manipulation that only serves the profit of the few while destroying our environment and resources. And so of course, I had to go and see him in person in the old library at UdK. Welzer is a very smart and eloquent social scientist who knows how to lead (and win) a discussion. However, the victory went to one student who pointed out that while we all sit here and talk about sustainability, why do we need to have all the light bulbs turned on in the room, this said, he turned half of the light off and earned a big applause. I highly recommend to read this book and spread the word. My students in Dessau were very inspired as well.

>> Prof. Dr. Welzer at Futurzwei

welzer

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open everything focus #2 newthinking store

Today I was invited to give a presentation of isopt at the newthinking store in Berlin concerning open design approaches. Also presenting where Ronen Kadushin with his product design concepts, André Knörig with Fritzing, Cecilia Palmer with her fashion label pamoyo and some people from the Creative Commons initiative. The event, taking place every last thursday of each month aims at getting people together who are into the open topic to discuss and create a network. So come and join next time!

 

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