Week One : Further Research

Interestingly after further research my perspective on future scenarios has somewhat evolved. Firstly let me point out that the information available is innumerable likewise are the opinions. CSIRO in their Our Future World report details five megatrends which they predict to have the most profound impact upon the way in which we live. These include:

1. More from Less: Relating to the worlds depleting natural resources and the emerging dependency on efficiency and reuse.
2. Personalisation: Specifically the personalisation of services  or the tailoring and targeting of individual services to customers en masse.
3. Divergent Demographics: Older, hungry and more demanding. Ageing populations in the developed world in addition to increasing obesity vs. rapid population growth and threats of food security in the developing world.
4. On the Move: Urbanisation and increased mobility which have a profound effect on lifestyle, housing and transportation needs.
5. iWorld: Digital and natural convergence.

The outcome of these issues is quite challenging to comprehend, especially considering at present the media screams pessimism on its broadcast every night. I feel that it's easy for the world to become pre-occupied with merely discussing what they think will happen rather than exploring how we can come to terms with the implications. This I would think is the heart of our project for the semester. Once everything has happened can architecture come to terms with contingency rather than attempt to suppress it?

In comparison to the future scenarios of Sadler in this week's reading, which focused almost solely on revolution in an mechanic or artificial sense and with little regard for social and environmental issues; I believe that in a world where ideas and innovation are so freely shared the direction of the future is tending towards collaboration and a more holistic address to our current issues. With a background in sustainability though I do suppose I have a tendency towards this vision.