Possible Futures that are not the end of the world

100.000,00

This research project explores society's fixation on apocalyptic scenarios and the frequent turn to interplanetary narratives, reflecting a deep-seated sense of hopelessness about the future of our own planet. These pervasive narratives, embedded across media platforms, fuel a cultural imagination resigned to catastrophic ends, neglecting the potential for transformative change. This project challenges why we, as both creators and consumers of these stories, accept futures defined by destruction rather than renewal.
Philosophers such as Judith Butler (2009) and Jean Baudrillard (1998) have critiqued how these narratives shape our collective consciousness, reinforcing precarity and the fetishization of commodities, which in turn deepens our sense of inevitable decline. Naomi Klein (2014) and David Harvey (2014) further analyze how environmental degradation and relentless growth, fueled by these narratives, contribute to a vision of the future as one of unavoidable disaster. Émile Durkheim’s (1897) concept of anomie, where societal bonds weaken under such conditions, and Anselm Jappe's (2020) idea of a self-devouring society highlight the broader social and existential impacts of this cultural fixation. By engaging participants in speculative storytelling that reimagines these themes, this project seeks to move beyond critique, offering practical pathways for communities to reclaim their agency and collaboratively envision sustainable, hopeful futures.
Given the escalating global crises—from climate change to social fragmentation—this project is not just timely but necessary. Through the 'Possible Futures that Are Not the End of the World' initiative, participants will craft speculative fictions that reimagine a future rooted in transformative change and renewed hope for our world. This research asserts that imaginative, participatory approaches are essential for reclaiming our collective agency in shaping the future. By challenging the prevailing narratives, we can begin to create futures that are not only possible but also hopeful and sustainable. Ultimately, this project aspires to shift the cultural imagination from one of resignation to one of active, collective hope, laying the groundwork for our future heritage.