Future-ish: Context and Case Studies for Exploring the Science, Design, and Culture Shaping Our Future
Edition: 2
Copyright: 2024
Pages: 134
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2024
Pages: 50
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In the not-so-distant future, people will take calculus in kindergarten, design their own clothes and cars on handhelds, and enthusiastically keep their culture and traditions alive whether they are on Earth, the Moon, or Mars. Future-ish: Context and Case Studies for Exploring the Science, Design, and Culture Shaping our Future invites readers to think about and plan for the future in a new, more robust, and more inclusive way and provides an introduction to the field of future studies.
Future-ish: Context and Case Studies for Exploring the Science, Design, and Culture Shaping our Future explores the author’s nonlinear and eclectic path to becoming an enthusiastic but also “reluctant” futurist, as well as sharing context, tools, and case studies that are valuable in the growing field of future studies. Chapter 1 provides the story behind the term “future-ish” and this book. Chapters 2 and 3 explore the landscape and tools of future studies, such as strategic foresight, design thinking, and alternative futures. Chapters 4 through 6 present real-world case studies on topics including astronomy, architecture, fashion, film, space travel, and sports that can be used by universities, businesses, nonprofits, agencies, and general readers to develop competency in exploring opportunities and challenges through a future-ish lens. Chapter 7 declares that “STEM is not enough” and that we need DACT andCHAT as well. Chapter 8 shares how anyone can become a ‘Citizen of the Next Century.’ Also included is an appendix that contains a list of future studies programs around the world. Lastly, a suggested reading list is provided that includes noteworthy books and articles from the science, design, and culture spheres.
A distinctive aspect of Future-ish: Context and Case Studies for Exploring the Science, Design, and Culture Shaping our Future is the inclusion and emphasis on culture that is shaping the future and the value of ensuring that culture is part of shaping the future going forward. Science and design are certainly classic future-shaping fields, but it has become clear, as we start into the 21st century and begin thinking about the 22nd century, that culture must be part of the vision and planning for the future. For that reason, alternative futures, inclusive futures, preferred futures, and their related fields are emphasized as particularly important tools.
Dedication
Contents
Land Acknowledgment
Self-Introduction
Foreword by Barbara Lawrence
Foreword by Dr. Melanie Cheung
Preface to the 2nd Edition
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Why Future-ish?
Chapter 2. The Many Facets of Future Studies
Chapter 3. A Future Studies Toolbox
Chapter 4. Case Studies in Science
The Stars Do Not Align for the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea in Hawaii
Sixteen Sunrises a Day: Practicing Ramadan in Space
Chapter 5. Case Studies in Design
Chanel’s Fashion Faux Pas: Cultural Appropriation in Fashion
álal: A New Home for Native Americans in Seattle
Chapter 6. Case Studies in Culture
He Just Did It - Colin Kaepernick’s Act of Respectful Protest Reignites Athlete Activism
A Promising Sci-Fi Dilemma: Watch Prey in Numu Tekwapu (Comanche) or English? The
Answer: Both.
Chapter 7. Epilogue 1 – STEM Is Not Enough
Chapter 8. Epilogue 2 – Next-Century Citizenship
Appendix A. List of Future Studies Programs
References
Suggested Reading
About the Author
Sean Schmidt holds a Master of Arts in Policy Studies from University of Washington (UW) Bothell. Schmidt’s graduate work focused on sustainable development and specialized in financing models for international wildlife conservation projects. Prior to graduate school, Schmidt earned two Bachelor of Science degrees at the UW Seattle in psychology (with a focus on behavioral ecology) and environmental studies (with a focus on conservation biology).
Schmidt has led undergraduate seminars on future studies and sustainability at UW Seattle since 2017, in addition to holding a variety of management and leadership positions in research, healthcare, and higher education administration at UW. Prior to working at UW, Schmidt worked at Seattle-based fashion specialty retailer Nordstrom for over 13 years. His positions included sales, corporate IT, and corporate HR, and he designed and implemented the company’s initial Sustainable Business & Development program in 2001. Schmidt left Nordstrom in 2003 to cofound the Sustainable Style Foundation (SSF) and then spent two years as Lifestyle Ambassador and Executive Director with SSF prior to accepting a position at UW Medicine.
Schmidt launched two sustainability efforts in UW Medicine that continue to thrive today: Sustainability and Medicine (SAM) and Multidisciplinary Efforts for Sustainability in Healthcare (MESH). After his time at UW Medicine, Schmidt worked in UW Sustainability for three years prior to taking on his current leadership role in Student Planning & Administration at UW Tacoma.
In the not-so-distant future, people will take calculus in kindergarten, design their own clothes and cars on handhelds, and enthusiastically keep their culture and traditions alive whether they are on Earth, the Moon, or Mars. Future-ish: Context and Case Studies for Exploring the Science, Design, and Culture Shaping our Future invites readers to think about and plan for the future in a new, more robust, and more inclusive way and provides an introduction to the field of future studies.
Future-ish: Context and Case Studies for Exploring the Science, Design, and Culture Shaping our Future explores the author’s nonlinear and eclectic path to becoming an enthusiastic but also “reluctant” futurist, as well as sharing context, tools, and case studies that are valuable in the growing field of future studies. Chapter 1 provides the story behind the term “future-ish” and this book. Chapters 2 and 3 explore the landscape and tools of future studies, such as strategic foresight, design thinking, and alternative futures. Chapters 4 through 6 present real-world case studies on topics including astronomy, architecture, fashion, film, space travel, and sports that can be used by universities, businesses, nonprofits, agencies, and general readers to develop competency in exploring opportunities and challenges through a future-ish lens. Chapter 7 declares that “STEM is not enough” and that we need DACT andCHAT as well. Chapter 8 shares how anyone can become a ‘Citizen of the Next Century.’ Also included is an appendix that contains a list of future studies programs around the world. Lastly, a suggested reading list is provided that includes noteworthy books and articles from the science, design, and culture spheres.
A distinctive aspect of Future-ish: Context and Case Studies for Exploring the Science, Design, and Culture Shaping our Future is the inclusion and emphasis on culture that is shaping the future and the value of ensuring that culture is part of shaping the future going forward. Science and design are certainly classic future-shaping fields, but it has become clear, as we start into the 21st century and begin thinking about the 22nd century, that culture must be part of the vision and planning for the future. For that reason, alternative futures, inclusive futures, preferred futures, and their related fields are emphasized as particularly important tools.
Dedication
Contents
Land Acknowledgment
Self-Introduction
Foreword by Barbara Lawrence
Foreword by Dr. Melanie Cheung
Preface to the 2nd Edition
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Why Future-ish?
Chapter 2. The Many Facets of Future Studies
Chapter 3. A Future Studies Toolbox
Chapter 4. Case Studies in Science
The Stars Do Not Align for the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea in Hawaii
Sixteen Sunrises a Day: Practicing Ramadan in Space
Chapter 5. Case Studies in Design
Chanel’s Fashion Faux Pas: Cultural Appropriation in Fashion
álal: A New Home for Native Americans in Seattle
Chapter 6. Case Studies in Culture
He Just Did It - Colin Kaepernick’s Act of Respectful Protest Reignites Athlete Activism
A Promising Sci-Fi Dilemma: Watch Prey in Numu Tekwapu (Comanche) or English? The
Answer: Both.
Chapter 7. Epilogue 1 – STEM Is Not Enough
Chapter 8. Epilogue 2 – Next-Century Citizenship
Appendix A. List of Future Studies Programs
References
Suggested Reading
About the Author
Sean Schmidt holds a Master of Arts in Policy Studies from University of Washington (UW) Bothell. Schmidt’s graduate work focused on sustainable development and specialized in financing models for international wildlife conservation projects. Prior to graduate school, Schmidt earned two Bachelor of Science degrees at the UW Seattle in psychology (with a focus on behavioral ecology) and environmental studies (with a focus on conservation biology).
Schmidt has led undergraduate seminars on future studies and sustainability at UW Seattle since 2017, in addition to holding a variety of management and leadership positions in research, healthcare, and higher education administration at UW. Prior to working at UW, Schmidt worked at Seattle-based fashion specialty retailer Nordstrom for over 13 years. His positions included sales, corporate IT, and corporate HR, and he designed and implemented the company’s initial Sustainable Business & Development program in 2001. Schmidt left Nordstrom in 2003 to cofound the Sustainable Style Foundation (SSF) and then spent two years as Lifestyle Ambassador and Executive Director with SSF prior to accepting a position at UW Medicine.
Schmidt launched two sustainability efforts in UW Medicine that continue to thrive today: Sustainability and Medicine (SAM) and Multidisciplinary Efforts for Sustainability in Healthcare (MESH). After his time at UW Medicine, Schmidt worked in UW Sustainability for three years prior to taking on his current leadership role in Student Planning & Administration at UW Tacoma.