This weeks reading by Matthew Ward were based on the idea of design fiction; a new term for me. The main point I picked up was the importance of creating context surrounding future ideas.

The world is not a static place. Rather our world is a constant adapating place. Fiction thus allows the freedom to create a world in which our idea lives and thrives.

I couldn’t help but think of movies. I am almost always critical of action films which I have narrowed down to their lack of substance and storyline. Too many action sequences and not enough narrative. I understand their are hardcore “Fast and the Furious” fans, but I certainly am not one of them. However I do like action films that have an engaging story. In this case the ‘glitz and glam’ of action films with their guns and gadgets is made plausible, interesting and meaningful due to the work of fiction. The gizmo’s only become relevant to me when I become deeply involved in the story or character or the “world” created by the director. Therefore in regards to action films fiction is more important than design.

In terms of my own blog I would like to pick up on a few of Ward’s points about the freedom of design fiction and its use in pedagogic practise. I found his writing quite liberating. “By suspending the rules of reality, DF allows for meandering play and unfettered exploration.” The idea that I could not only create something but also the sphere around it with zero creative limitations was exciting. Ward likens design fiction to a sandpit – “a safe ground of play and opportunity”. This subject intimidated me a little. Partly because we had to publish our writing in a totally public forum but partly because of the control we have to individualise and control the entire medium we are writing for. I am a new blogger, I am a self-conscious blogger and this total freedom is unnerving.