possibility studies
Philosophically, modernity is often referred to as “The Age of Man.” In ascension since the Renaissance, it crystallized toward the end of the 18th century into a configuration of knowledge that French philosopher Michel Foucault characterized as an episteme in which the figure of Man as the foundation of all possible knowledge. Jamaican philosophe
... See moreArturo Escobar • Welcome to Possibility Studies
All my experience tells me that such a level of fatalism isn’t realistic; we can, up to a point, design and choose the society we wish to live in. Besides, there have been few moments in history when we have needed creativity more—to work out how to get to net zero carbon emissions and avert climate change; how to cope with ageing populations; how
... See moreGeoff Mulgan • Another World Is Possible: How to Reignite Social and Political Imagination
Minds and societies defined by diversity and dialogue are, consequently, open to new possibilities in ways that monological, fixated, and totalitarian worlds and mindsets are not.
Vlad P. Glăveanu • Possibility Studies: A Manifesto
It’s better to prefer incompleteness over completeness; capacious imagination instead of futures that are too specific or neat; and experimentation and exploration over visions and blueprints. I’m sceptical of overly coherent utopias or the belief that societies follow simple logics. Instead, I see the work of imagination (and the life of real soci
... See moreGeoff Mulgan • Another World Is Possible: How to Reignite Social and Political Imagination
Throughout my career, I’ve learned that with the right mix of determination, focus and patience, change is possible. World-weary realism often turns out to be extraordinarily unrealistic.
Geoff Mulgan • Another World Is Possible: How to Reignite Social and Political Imagination
If we lose faith in the future, we are likely to do less to make a better future happen. In this way, fatalism can, indeed, become fate.
Geoff Mulgan • Another World Is Possible: How to Reignite Social and Political Imagination
we need a sustained ethical reflection on the scope, nature, and limits of our engagement with the possible and the consequences this engagement has for ourselves, for others, for society, and for the planet. Being in the position to envision a course of action and its alternatives and to evaluate which possibilities should be acted upon and which
... See moreVlad P. Glăveanu • Possibility Studies: A Manifesto
Information doesn’t consume, it is conserved. A wealth of information is a wealth of potentiality. And attention cannot be impoverished by potentiality. Attention and information come together to create new realities. Which is why techlords and Christian Nationalists want limit our access to information while also extracting our attention.