Storytelling for Post-Anthropocene Tech Perspectives (SPOAT) Speculative fiction for new perspectives on meaningful human and non-human tech interaction.

Switzerland has in 2019 set ambitious climate targets (Swiss Climate Strategy), but the fight against climate change is only one aspect of the broader challenge that lies ahead. The Anthropocene, the era in which humans shaped and dominated nature, is slowly coming to an end. And the complex interactions between humans, technology and the environment require new and more holistic ways of thinking and approaches to technology development. This module uses storytelling to create visions of the future in which technology and nature form new forms of coexistence.  


The module is about expanding the ideas of economy and society about technology. And more concretely it’s about methods that help transform ideas about interactions between technologies, human and non-human existence into future scenarios and strategies.

Overview

The module works with speculative stories and flash fiction as methodological approaches to develop ideas of future worlds and post- anthropocene technologies in the year 2075. 

“The destructive side effects of technological progress are clear enough today, but instead of technological fatalism, the emancipatory potential of new and emerging technologies calls for a reflexive imaginary to inaugurate the post-Anthropocene world in which the sustainability of the life support systems of planet Earth receives our attention.” (Blok, 2022, 1003). 

Students learn to write, analyse and improve speculative future stories. The course works with creative methods such as automated writing, peer exchange and storytelling templates. It also integrates AI tools as a creative resource (ChatGPT, (Gemini, Microsoft possibly also Dal-E, Midjourney). Access to paid versions will be clarified.   

The course also addresses future strategies and scenarios for post-anthropocene technology development can be derived from the stories. 

The module includes a collaboration with the University of Odense and a corresponding research project at the Centre for Integrative Innovation Management (C*I2M), SDU Climate Cluster.

Facts

Semester

Takes place in the spring semester. 2025 spring semester (cancelled)

Anmeldeschluss

16.02.2025 (cancelled)

Unterrichtssprache
  • Englisch
Zeitmodell

Semester module  
19.02.2025 - 28.05.2025
Wednesday, 15:30 – 17:50 

ECTS/Anerkennung

Siehe Übersichtsliste: ISA-Programm/ECTS-Punkte

Anbieter
Informatik
Leistungsnachweis

LN1 consist in an improved and enhanced short future story. 

LN2 presentation on a given article on environmental and technological trends in the context of the climate crisis. Active participation in the discussion. 

LN3 consist in future scenarios (Collapse, Discipline, Grow, Transform) derived from the students short stories and development of corresponding technology trends that can serve as basis for future technology strategies.

Modulleitung
Dozent/in (extern)

Prof. Dr. P. Wolf (tbc)