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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

Application deadline

14.01.2025

Language of instruction
  • English
Time model

Semester module
07.01.2025 - 6.01.2025
Wednesday, 15:30 – 17:50 

ECTS/recognition

Siehe Übersichtsliste: ISA-Programm/ECTS-Punkte

Institute
Computer Science and Information Technology
Assessed assignment

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. 

Head of the module
Head of the module

Lecturer (external)

Prof. Dr. P. Wolf (tbc) 

Eligibility to attend

Keine

Entry requirements

Keine

Specific expertise

Professional competences:  

- Storytelling techniques and use 

- Production and reflection of technology-related future stories. 

- Knowledge of current environmental trends and technology developed from scientific reports on the climate crisis.  

- Knowledge about interrelations between the genre of future stories and technology development. 

- Use of scenario matrix (collapse, discipline, grow, transform) 

Social competences:  

- Peer exchange competences as a means of inspiration and improvement of own work.  

Methodological competences 

- AI tools as creative resources  

- Creative writing methods such as flash fiction and reading aloud to draft and develop short stories.   

Teaching methods

- Theory inputs and discussions 
- Group presentation and discussions 
- Exercises 
- Peer-exchange 

Learning aids

Blok, V. (2023). The ontology of technology beyond anthropocentrism and determinism: The role of technologies in the constitution of the (post) anthropocene world. Foundations of Science, 28(3), 987-1005. 

Hervé, N., & Panissal, N. (2022). Writing Fictional Short Stories About the Anthropocene: Effects on Students’ Futures Thinking. Frontiers in Education, 7, Article 842252. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.842252 

Nielsen, E. B., & Andersen, G. (2022). The Cruel Optimism of Anthropocene Technologies: Suspicion and Fascination of Technology in Okja What Happened to Monday and Geostorm. The Journal of Popular Culture, 55(4), 735–754. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpcu.13148  

Follett, K. and Coben, H. (2024), Writing Fiction, course material BBC, Writing Fiction. 

Meyer, M. Storytelling Tropes, Blogpost, https://themindcollection.com/storytelling-tropes/  

Story Writing Academy, Story Planner Template, https://storywritingacademy.com/story-planner-template/  

Programme type
ISA Module
Venue

Rotkreuz

Attendance

24