It seems that Dr Vannevar Bush (Director of the Office of Scientific Research and Development) had the ability of foresight. His July 1 1945 article ‘As We May Think’ argues that scientific instruments are/or should be seen as tools for sharing knowledge. He states that “for years inventions have extended man’s physical powers rather than the powers of the mind” and scientists should focus on increasing the accessibility of knowledge. “Science has provided the swiftest communication between individuals; it has provided a record of ideas and has enabled man to manipulate and to make extracts from that record so that knowledge evolves and endures” – this ‘swift communication’ should be utilized in order to make information more accessible. On a side note, this statement reminded me of something I learnt in Communications – the first publications were scientific findings which were shared among scientists. Back to Bush however, he cleverly noted that an increasing the accessibility of knowledge has the potential to bog us down. This is exactly what is happening now. Anyone, anywhere can post ‘information’ online. Rather that needing tools for finding the information (we now have this in the form of search engines like Google), we need tools to wade through useless/false information that is so easily accessible. Bush notes that this bogging down can result in “truly significant attainments becom[ing] lost in the mass of the inconsequential.” Then and now, a way of sorting through these records was seen of great importance by scientists like Bush. 

http://cdn.dropmark.com/4931/9cdc50c349beb1c5a790f7843894599c3f08be1a/As%20We%20May%20Think.pdf

Sci-fi writer Bruce Sterling provides an example of design fiction – “In 2001: A Space Odyssey, the guy’s holding what’s clearly an iPad. It just really looks like one, right?” Sci-fi often has implications on reality. Several of James Bond’s gadgets have made their way into everyday life. These include satellite navigation, underwater cameras and bullet proof glass.

http://vogmae.dropmark.com/133224/2153373

‘Design fiction’ was a new concept to me prior to reading Matthew Ward’s ‘Design Fiction as Pedagogic Practice.’ Ward discusses design fiction as a useful teaching device. This term is increasingly bandied about but, Ward contends that is has not been historically contextualized or properly scrutinized.

Cleverly and usefully, Ward unpacks the relationship between fiction and design. He writes that “designers produce propositions for a world that is yet to exist.” Ward importantly notes that “we always design for a world that sits, sometimes just slightly, out of sight.” This is because designers design for our future needs, in a fictitious future. Fictitious, because we don’t have the ability to foresee every detail of tomorrow. Designers use “fiction as a testing ground for reality” thus are not limited by today.  

Ward highlights how the use of fiction enables us to think through possible consequences, whether they be intended or unintended. He advises “prototype them in the stories you tell.” By ‘them’ he means designs, and by ‘stories’ he means the way in which we persuade others our designs our necessary. Like many other educators, Ward recognizes and praises the power of imagination.

For the full reading follow this link: http://vogmae.dropmark.com/133224/2153370