how many of you have heard the phrase
how many of you have heard the phrase keep Austin weird
how many of you have a t-shirt or bumper
how many of you have a t-shirt or bumper sticker says get keep Austin weird or
sticker says get keep Austin weird or
sticker says get keep Austin weird or some variation right how many of you
some variation right how many of you
some variation right how many of you know the story of keep Austin weird the
know the story of keep Austin weird the
know the story of keep Austin weird the background of it a few people not many
background of it a few people not many
background of it a few people not many well I’m gonna tell you a little bit of
well I’m gonna tell you a little bit of
well I’m gonna tell you a little bit of a different story that maybe you haven’t
a different story that maybe you haven’t
a different story that maybe you haven’t heard of before and it begins with the
heard of before and it begins with the
heard of before and it begins with the word weird right the actual etymology of
word weird right the actual etymology of
word weird right the actual etymology of weird goes back hundreds of years and it
weird goes back hundreds of years and it
weird goes back hundreds of years and it really means looking to the future it
really means looking to the future it
really means looking to the future it means things that are to come
means things that are to come
means things that are to come portents of things to come so keep
portents of things to come so keep
portents of things to come so keep Austin weird actually means keep Austin
Austin weird actually means keep Austin
Austin weird actually means keep Austin future-oriented
future-oriented
future-oriented and so let’s keep that in mind as we as
and so let’s keep that in mind as we as
and so let’s keep that in mind as we as we think about keep Austin weird and how
we think about keep Austin weird and how
we think about keep Austin weird and how we respond to it Austin should be by
we respond to it Austin should be by
we respond to it Austin should be by definition by our slogan a
definition by our slogan a
definition by our slogan a future-oriented city and there’s a deep
future-oriented city and there’s a deep
future-oriented city and there’s a deep history to this that I want to share
history to this that I want to share
history to this that I want to share with you that I discovered again that
with you that I discovered again that
with you that I discovered again that maybe you haven’t heard about before and
maybe you haven’t heard about before and
maybe you haven’t heard about before and it begins with our Springs right Austin
it begins with our Springs right Austin
it begins with our Springs right Austin is known for Springs Barton Springs the
is known for Springs Barton Springs the
is known for Springs Barton Springs the native people here thought that the
native people here thought that the
native people here thought that the springs could actually tell the future
springs could actually tell the future
springs could actually tell the future that they were an Oracle of things to
that they were an Oracle of things to
that they were an Oracle of things to come you would consult these Springs so
come you would consult these Springs so
come you would consult these Springs so that’s kind of fascinating history to it
that’s kind of fascinating history to it
that’s kind of fascinating history to it and it goes back to Barton Springs so
and it goes back to Barton Springs so
and it goes back to Barton Springs so there was this group that got together
there was this group that got together
there was this group that got together every so often at Barton Springs and
every so often at Barton Springs and
every so often at Barton Springs and they were called the club of weird WY Rd
they were called the club of weird WY Rd
they were called the club of weird WY Rd and their mission their purpose was to
and their mission their purpose was to
and their mission their purpose was to imagine and reimagine visions for
imagine and reimagine visions for
imagine and reimagine visions for Austin’s future so that was their goal
Austin’s future so that was their goal
Austin’s future so that was their goal that was their purpose for doing that
that was their purpose for doing that
that was their purpose for doing that and it’s a really unusual thing to
and it’s a really unusual thing to
and it’s a really unusual thing to publicly imagine together as a practice
publicly imagine together as a practice
publicly imagine together as a practice right so that goes way back and it was
right so that goes way back and it was
right so that goes way back and it was open to anyone so anyone with a feeling
open to anyone so anyone with a feeling
open to anyone so anyone with a feeling a yearning for the future we call I
a yearning for the future we call I
a yearning for the future we call I Glatz on which if you can see here is
Glatz on which if you can see here is
Glatz on which if you can see here is nostalgia spelled backwards right people
nostalgia spelled backwards right people
nostalgia spelled backwards right people who had a yearning for the future a
who had a yearning for the future a
who had a yearning for the future a yearning for things to come they would
yearning for things to come they would
yearning for things to come they would get together and imagine together at the
get together and imagine together at the
get together and imagine together at the springs and they would of course drink
springs and they would of course drink
springs and they would of course drink and do everything that’s happened kind
and do everything that’s happened kind
and do everything that’s happened kind of vibe to this and when he felt the the
of vibe to this and when he felt the the
of vibe to this and when he felt the the the spirit you would perform singing
the spirit you would perform singing
the spirit you would perform singing tell about your vision for the future of
tell about your vision for the future of
tell about your vision for the future of Austin so fascinating history and I’m
Austin so fascinating history and I’m
Austin so fascinating history and I’m sure if you’ve know about it they also
sure if you’ve know about it they also
sure if you’ve know about it they also used to communicate in weird esoteric
used to communicate in weird esoteric
used to communicate in weird esoteric ways using street art what we would call
ways using street art what we would call
ways using street art what we would call graffiti now and that tradition maybe
graffiti now and that tradition maybe
graffiti now and that tradition maybe has remained in Austin this sort of
has remained in Austin this sort of
has remained in Austin this sort of strange esoteric street art that goes
strange esoteric street art that goes
strange esoteric street art that goes back to the club of weird
back to the club of weird
back to the club of weird another really fascinating bit to this
another really fascinating bit to this
another really fascinating bit to this story is that Bob Kane and the 30s was
story is that Bob Kane and the 30s was
story is that Bob Kane and the 30s was visiting Austin and when they would call
visiting Austin and when they would call
visiting Austin and when they would call a meeting this is not a bat signal this
a meeting this is not a bat signal this
a meeting this is not a bat signal this is a W for weird so this is how they
is a W for weird so this is how they
is a W for weird so this is how they would gather together so Bob came the
would gather together so Bob came the
would gather together so Bob came the creator of Batman incorporated this idea
creator of Batman incorporated this idea
creator of Batman incorporated this idea into the bat-signal another known fact
into the bat-signal another known fact
into the bat-signal another known fact you might might not have known so this
you might might not have known so this
you might might not have known so this went on for a while and as Austin
went on for a while and as Austin
went on for a while and as Austin developed this kind of what call it
developed this kind of what call it
developed this kind of what call it underground but it was really open to
underground but it was really open to
underground but it was really open to anyone this civic imagination practice
anyone this civic imagination practice
anyone this civic imagination practice that existed here grew over time and in
that existed here grew over time and in
that existed here grew over time and in the mid forties or so it was
the mid forties or so it was
the mid forties or so it was incorporated into the city as something
incorporated into the city as something
incorporated into the city as something called the office of the weird and you
called the office of the weird and you
called the office of the weird and you may have your own favorite stories
may have your own favorite stories
may have your own favorite stories Leslie one of our favorite weirdos in
Leslie one of our favorite weirdos in
Leslie one of our favorite weirdos in Austin used to go to those meetings as
Austin used to go to those meetings as
Austin used to go to those meetings as well and maybe you’ve visited them and
well and maybe you’ve visited them and
well and maybe you’ve visited them and seeing some of these are attended some
seeing some of these are attended some
seeing some of these are attended some of these yourself so the office of the
of these yourself so the office of the
of these yourself so the office of the weird a little-known you know they have
weird a little-known you know they have
weird a little-known you know they have briefings with the mayor about once a
briefings with the mayor about once a
briefings with the mayor about once a month and you can ask me or Adler but
month and you can ask me or Adler but
month and you can ask me or Adler but I’m sure he might deny this that it
I’m sure he might deny this that it
I’m sure he might deny this that it exists and and really to express this
exists and and really to express this
exists and and really to express this view not to really try to understand
view not to really try to understand
view not to really try to understand practical outcomes or strategies but
practical outcomes or strategies but
practical outcomes or strategies but really a visioning process really a way
really a visioning process really a way
really a visioning process really a way to to add material and democratize the
to to add material and democratize the
to to add material and democratize the visioning of Austin together and doing
visioning of Austin together and doing
visioning of Austin together and doing that in a public way so given that story
that in a public way so given that story
that in a public way so given that story I just I’m curious how many of you would
I just I’m curious how many of you would
I just I’m curious how many of you would want to attend a office of the weird
want to attend a office of the weird
want to attend a office of the weird meeting how many of you have I Glatz on
meeting how many of you have I Glatz on
meeting how many of you have I Glatz on cool okay that’s great a lot of you
cool okay that’s great a lot of you
cool okay that’s great a lot of you there so the fun part about it this is
there so the fun part about it this is
there so the fun part about it this is the next meeting of the office of the
the next meeting of the office of the
the next meeting of the office of the weird will be its first because
weird will be its first because
weird will be its first because maybe some of you figured this out but
maybe some of you figured this out but
maybe some of you figured this out but that is not a real story I made that up
that is not a real story I made that up
that is not a real story I made that up but I want it to exist so as Harry
but I want it to exist so as Harry
but I want it to exist so as Harry Truman says the only new thing in the
Truman says the only new thing in the
Truman says the only new thing in the world is the history you don’t know or
world is the history you don’t know or
world is the history you don’t know or maybe the futures we haven’t imagined
maybe the futures we haven’t imagined
maybe the futures we haven’t imagined yet so this talk I have two purposes one
yet so this talk I have two purposes one
yet so this talk I have two purposes one is to is to really talk about how
is to is to really talk about how
is to is to really talk about how stories how experiences change our
stories how experiences change our
stories how experiences change our relationship to the future and possible
relationship to the future and possible
relationship to the future and possible futures and the second is to actually
futures and the second is to actually
futures and the second is to actually call into being this thing called the
call into being this thing called the
call into being this thing called the office of the weird so I want to make it
office of the weird so I want to make it
office of the weird so I want to make it happen today and my goal is for this TED
happen today and my goal is for this TED
happen today and my goal is for this TED talk to be the first one to actually end
talk to be the first one to actually end
talk to be the first one to actually end up with an outcome of having a
up with an outcome of having a
up with an outcome of having a government agency created out of that so
government agency created out of that so
government agency created out of that so I’m hoping that might happen and I’m
I’m hoping that might happen and I’m
I’m hoping that might happen and I’m gonna do my best to do it so so so the
gonna do my best to do it so so so the
gonna do my best to do it so so so the first point thinking about the future we
first point thinking about the future we
first point thinking about the future we all do it it’s one of the defining
all do it it’s one of the defining
all do it it’s one of the defining features of people that’s what we do
features of people that’s what we do
features of people that’s what we do we’re kind of prediction machines as it
we’re kind of prediction machines as it
we’re kind of prediction machines as it were that’s what how our brains work but
were that’s what how our brains work but
were that’s what how our brains work but we think about the future using a lot of
we think about the future using a lot of
we think about the future using a lot of the same parts of our brain as we do to
the same parts of our brain as we do to
the same parts of our brain as we do to recall the past so we need the past we
recall the past so we need the past we
recall the past so we need the past we need past experience in order to make
need past experience in order to make
need past experience in order to make different futures thinkable which is
different futures thinkable which is
different futures thinkable which is great you know that’s that’s how it
great you know that’s that’s how it
great you know that’s that’s how it happens we have to rely on our history
happens we have to rely on our history
happens we have to rely on our history the things that we’ve experienced we can
the things that we’ve experienced we can
the things that we’ve experienced we can expand upon them but when the world is
expand upon them but when the world is
expand upon them but when the world is changing very quickly when we have
changing very quickly when we have
changing very quickly when we have nonlinear kinds of changes accelerating
nonlinear kinds of changes accelerating
nonlinear kinds of changes accelerating kinds of changes the past is not always
kinds of changes the past is not always
kinds of changes the past is not always a great predictor of the future and so
a great predictor of the future and so
a great predictor of the future and so we have to artificially create new
we have to artificially create new
we have to artificially create new images of the future we have to actively
images of the future we have to actively
images of the future we have to actively retune our neurons to what’s possible
retune our neurons to what’s possible
retune our neurons to what’s possible and to do that actively do it inside our
and to do that actively do it inside our
and to do that actively do it inside our own minds but then together civically so
own minds but then together civically so
own minds but then together civically so that we can imagine different kinds of
that we can imagine different kinds of
that we can imagine different kinds of futures and different kinds of outcomes
futures and different kinds of outcomes
futures and different kinds of outcomes and not be stuck in someone else’s
and not be stuck in someone else’s
and not be stuck in someone else’s vision a used future that we are
vision a used future that we are
vision a used future that we are inheriting but something that we create
inheriting but something that we create
inheriting but something that we create together and I think Austin is the
together and I think Austin is the
together and I think Austin is the perfect place to imagine the weirdest
perfect place to imagine the weirdest
perfect place to imagine the weirdest possible futures and the psychology of
possible futures and the psychology of
possible futures and the psychology of futures thinking is really interesting
futures thinking is really interesting
futures thinking is really interesting beyond the scope to go and deeply in
beyond the scope to go and deeply in
beyond the scope to go and deeply in this talk but it’s really you know one
this talk but it’s really you know one
this talk but it’s really you know one of the one of the things that I find
of the one of the things that I find
of the one of the things that I find fascinating is the mental health aspects
fascinating is the mental health aspects
fascinating is the mental health aspects of it is that depressed people are
of it is that depressed people are
of it is that depressed people are defined less by their past trauma or
defined less by their past trauma or
defined less by their past trauma or something that’s happened to them and
something that’s happened to them and
something that’s happened to them and more by their it
more by their it
more by their it they’re related but inability to imagine
they’re related but inability to imagine
they’re related but inability to imagine better futures and they overestimate
better futures and they overestimate
better futures and they overestimate risk so depression in a way is a is a
risk so depression in a way is a is a
risk so depression in a way is a is a future thinking disease as it were and
future thinking disease as it were and
future thinking disease as it were and we don’t want to be like this right we
we don’t want to be like this right we
we don’t want to be like this right we don’t want to be disempowered so part of
don’t want to be disempowered so part of
don’t want to be disempowered so part of my job as an experiential futurist and a
my job as an experiential futurist and a
my job as an experiential futurist and a futurist is to empower people
futurist is to empower people
futurist is to empower people individuals groups organizations to to
individuals groups organizations to to
individuals groups organizations to to have some purchase on making better
have some purchase on making better
have some purchase on making better futures to be better architects of the
futures to be better architects of the
futures to be better architects of the future and as Mohsen Hameed says stories
future and as Mohsen Hameed says stories
future and as Mohsen Hameed says stories have the power to liberate us from the
have the power to liberate us from the
have the power to liberate us from the tyranny of what was and what is so
tyranny of what was and what is so
tyranny of what was and what is so stories are very powerful technologies
stories are very powerful technologies
stories are very powerful technologies that we have created to allow us to make
that we have created to allow us to make
that we have created to allow us to make better futures and and my argument here
better futures and and my argument here
better futures and and my argument here is that in order to make new futures
is that in order to make new futures
is that in order to make new futures thinkable and actionable we have to
thinkable and actionable we have to
thinkable and actionable we have to intentionally create design and unleash
intentionally create design and unleash
intentionally create design and unleash a wide range of possible futures into
a wide range of possible futures into
a wide range of possible futures into the present we have to actively do that
the present we have to actively do that
the present we have to actively do that and we have to make those possible
and we have to make those possible
and we have to make those possible futures full-bodied experiences so we we
futures full-bodied experiences so we we
futures full-bodied experiences so we we want to create an emotional connection
want to create an emotional connection
want to create an emotional connection to the future a physical experience of
to the future a physical experience of
to the future a physical experience of that so we make artifacts tangible media
that so we make artifacts tangible media
that so we make artifacts tangible media to do that and that’s what we call my
to do that and that’s what we call my
to do that and that’s what we call my colleague longtime colleague Stuart
colleague longtime colleague Stuart
colleague longtime colleague Stuart Candi and I started calling this
Candi and I started calling this
Candi and I started calling this experiential futures so not just
experiential futures so not just
experiential futures so not just thinking about the future in the
thinking about the future in the
thinking about the future in the abstract which it always is the future
abstract which it always is the future
abstract which it always is the future doesn’t exist but to try to as much as
doesn’t exist but to try to as much as
doesn’t exist but to try to as much as we can again artificially but with a
we can again artificially but with a
we can again artificially but with a purpose to make the future tangible to
purpose to make the future tangible to
purpose to make the future tangible to have a connection to that and to
have a connection to that and to
have a connection to that and to experience possible futures and to embed
experience possible futures and to embed
experience possible futures and to embed that in our bodies so some examples of
that in our bodies so some examples of
that in our bodies so some examples of work that I’ve done in the past this was
work that I’ve done in the past this was
work that I’ve done in the past this was a project with the Hawaii 2050
a project with the Hawaii 2050
a project with the Hawaii 2050 sustainability task force in Hawaii and
sustainability task force in Hawaii and
sustainability task force in Hawaii and we created four different versions of
we created four different versions of
we created four different versions of Hawaii in the year 2050 and a couple
Hawaii in the year 2050 and a couple
Hawaii in the year 2050 and a couple here on the upper right upper left sorry
here on the upper right upper left sorry
here on the upper right upper left sorry is kind of high-growth future and it’s a
is kind of high-growth future and it’s a
is kind of high-growth future and it’s a we staged it as a debate between two
we staged it as a debate between two
we staged it as a debate between two candidates for governor but those
candidates for governor but those
candidates for governor but those candidates were actually corporations
candidates were actually corporations
candidates were actually corporations who as legal persons in this future
who as legal persons in this future
who as legal persons in this future could run directly they didn’t have to
could run directly they didn’t have to
could run directly they didn’t have to pay some politician off they just ran as
pay some politician off they just ran as
pay some politician off they just ran as corporations ran as legal persons this
corporations ran as legal persons this
corporations ran as legal persons this was before citizens united by the way so
was before citizens united by the way so
was before citizens united by the way so I think our time
I think our time
I think our time might be even sure unfortunately
might be even sure unfortunately
might be even sure unfortunately depending on how you think about it but
depending on how you think about it but
depending on how you think about it but through the through the debate we were
through the through the debate we were
through the through the debate we were able to elucidate a lot of the issues
able to elucidate a lot of the issues
able to elucidate a lot of the issues that were happening in Hawaii and that
that were happening in Hawaii and that
that were happening in Hawaii and that high-growth future a lot of you know
high-growth future a lot of you know
high-growth future a lot of you know massive population growth those kind of
massive population growth those kind of
massive population growth those kind of kind of issues that were happening
kind of issues that were happening
kind of issues that were happening environmental issues so one candidate
environmental issues so one candidate
environmental issues so one candidate was a gaming and design company called
was a gaming and design company called
was a gaming and design company called Kobayashi virtual concern the other one
Kobayashi virtual concern the other one
Kobayashi virtual concern the other one was a nuclear energy and water company
was a nuclear energy and water company
was a nuclear energy and water company kind of the incumbent so you can see the
kind of the incumbent so you can see the
kind of the incumbent so you can see the dynamics how that played out on the
dynamics how that played out on the
dynamics how that played out on the bottom right is a another future
bottom right is a another future
bottom right is a another future simultaneously hell we divided the 500
simultaneously hell we divided the 500
simultaneously hell we divided the 500 people into different groups and that
people into different groups and that
people into different groups and that one was an independent military
one was an independent military
one was an independent military dictatorship of Hawaii it was Hawaii it
dictatorship of Hawaii it was Hawaii it
dictatorship of Hawaii it was Hawaii it was a sovereign Hawaii separated from
was a sovereign Hawaii separated from
was a sovereign Hawaii separated from the US but run as a dictatorship but
the US but run as a dictatorship but
the US but run as a dictatorship but people came in and they were cast as
people came in and they were cast as
people came in and they were cast as climate refugees from flooded islands in
climate refugees from flooded islands in
climate refugees from flooded islands in the Pacific so you came in and you took
the Pacific so you came in and you took
the Pacific so you came in and you took an oath and you understood that now
an oath and you understood that now
an oath and you understood that now you’re a citizen soldier in this world
you’re a citizen soldier in this world
you’re a citizen soldier in this world and so you can see how these the
and so you can see how these the
and so you can see how these the performance you know we created the the
performance you know we created the the
performance you know we created the the military uniform of Hawaii in 2050 we
military uniform of Hawaii in 2050 we
military uniform of Hawaii in 2050 we had videos we had oaths
had videos we had oaths
had videos we had oaths so it’s a very participatory active
so it’s a very participatory active
so it’s a very participatory active experience of these kinds of futures and
experience of these kinds of futures and
experience of these kinds of futures and once you experience a few of these your
once you experience a few of these your
once you experience a few of these your mind hopefully is open to seeing
mind hopefully is open to seeing
mind hopefully is open to seeing different sets of possibilities what you
different sets of possibilities what you
different sets of possibilities what you like and dislike and then responding to
like and dislike and then responding to
like and dislike and then responding to that appropriately another example is we
that appropriately another example is we
that appropriately another example is we did this for World Oceans Day in 2010
did this for World Oceans Day in 2010
did this for World Oceans Day in 2010 and we were looking at plastic ocean
and we were looking at plastic ocean
and we were looking at plastic ocean pollution so as I mentioned I lived in
pollution so as I mentioned I lived in
pollution so as I mentioned I lived in Hawaii we would see these tides of
Hawaii we would see these tides of
Hawaii we would see these tides of plastic bits come in to these beautiful
plastic bits come in to these beautiful
plastic bits come in to these beautiful beaches so I was thinking a lot about
beaches so I was thinking a lot about
beaches so I was thinking a lot about the Pacific Gyre now it’s relatively
the Pacific Gyre now it’s relatively
the Pacific Gyre now it’s relatively well known and how do we communicate
well known and how do we communicate
well known and how do we communicate that to an audience this is at the
that to an audience this is at the
that to an audience this is at the California Academy of Sciences how do we
California Academy of Sciences how do we
California Academy of Sciences how do we show that in a way that’s not just hey
show that in a way that’s not just hey
show that in a way that’s not just hey you know there’s a lot of plastic in the
you know there’s a lot of plastic in the
you know there’s a lot of plastic in the ocean you know it’s really doing some
ocean you know it’s really doing some
ocean you know it’s really doing some damage so what we tried to do or what we
damage so what we tried to do or what we
damage so what we tried to do or what we did was create an experience an
did was create an experience an
did was create an experience an invitation to think about how that is
invitation to think about how that is
invitation to think about how that is part of our whole system that we’re part
part of our whole system that we’re part
part of our whole system that we’re part of that system the Pacific we’re all
of that system the Pacific we’re all
of that system the Pacific we’re all connected and we did that through four
connected and we did that through four
connected and we did that through four different drinking vessels that
different drinking vessels that
different drinking vessels that correlated to four different periods in
correlated to four different periods in
correlated to four different periods in time one was 1910 one was 1961 was 2010
time one was 1910 one was 1961 was 2010
time one was 1910 one was 1961 was 2010 and one was 2030 and
and one was 2030 and
and one was 2030 and put the relative amounts of ocean
put the relative amounts of ocean
put the relative amounts of ocean plastic in each one of those and so 1910
plastic in each one of those and so 1910
plastic in each one of those and so 1910 had very little that was the beginning
had very little that was the beginning
had very little that was the beginning of industrial plastic but by 2030 you
of industrial plastic but by 2030 you
of industrial plastic but by 2030 you can see how gross it is now the fun part
can see how gross it is now the fun part
can see how gross it is now the fun part the experiential part of this was that
the experiential part of this was that
the experiential part of this was that you know we were we were drinking out of
you know we were we were drinking out of
you know we were we were drinking out of these and it was gross right there’s
these and it was gross right there’s
these and it was gross right there’s like film canisters and balloons and
like film canisters and balloons and
like film canisters and balloons and pantyhose and gross stuff in there but
pantyhose and gross stuff in there but
pantyhose and gross stuff in there but but the our little trick was that the
but the our little trick was that the
but the our little trick was that the bottom part the ceramic part was
bottom part the ceramic part was
bottom part the ceramic part was separated from the top so it had water
separated from the top so it had water
separated from the top so it had water in it we could drink it but it wasn’t
in it we could drink it but it wasn’t
in it we could drink it but it wasn’t actually connected to that so that that
actually connected to that so that that
actually connected to that so that that that picture that that woman’s face of
that picture that that woman’s face of
that picture that that woman’s face of wonder and disgust is what we were
wonder and disgust is what we were
wonder and disgust is what we were trying to to elucidate to bring out to
trying to to elucidate to bring out to
trying to to elucidate to bring out to create that kind of connection to that
create that kind of connection to that
create that kind of connection to that at an emotional physical connection to
at an emotional physical connection to
at an emotional physical connection to to the Pacific Gyre something way out in
to the Pacific Gyre something way out in
to the Pacific Gyre something way out in the ocean and to understand that that
the ocean and to understand that that
the ocean and to understand that that were part of the same system so that was
were part of the same system so that was
were part of the same system so that was our technique for doing that to use
our technique for doing that to use
our technique for doing that to use disgust as a tool for understanding of
disgust as a tool for understanding of
disgust as a tool for understanding of futures issue and then another project
futures issue and then another project
futures issue and then another project that I did was to create a mayor’s
that I did was to create a mayor’s
that I did was to create a mayor’s office in the city of Newport in the
office in the city of Newport in the
office in the city of Newport in the year 2060 1 so we’ll go into great
year 2060 1 so we’ll go into great
year 2060 1 so we’ll go into great detail here but all of these little
detail here but all of these little
detail here but all of these little artifacts were creations that tell a bit
artifacts were creations that tell a bit
artifacts were creations that tell a bit of the story right so right on the left
of the story right so right on the left
of the story right so right on the left there’s a flag there and it has it’s a
there’s a flag there and it has it’s a
there’s a flag there and it has it’s a 48 star flag because in this future 2061
48 star flag because in this future 2061
48 star flag because in this future 2061 Texas and Hawaii had seceded from the
Texas and Hawaii had seceded from the
Texas and Hawaii had seceded from the Union but the rest had remained right
Union but the rest had remained right
Union but the rest had remained right it’s pretty plausible now so these every
it’s pretty plausible now so these every
it’s pretty plausible now so these every one of these little details every one of
one of these little details every one of
one of these little details every one of these artifacts has a detail it tells a
these artifacts has a detail it tells a
these artifacts has a detail it tells a story
story
story so we think about these things as
so we think about these things as
so we think about these things as artifacts that can archaeologists would
artifacts that can archaeologists would
artifacts that can archaeologists would think about it each each big has to have
think about it each each big has to have
think about it each each big has to have a world that made it possible to exist
a world that made it possible to exist
a world that made it possible to exist in and so it creates a different kind of
in and so it creates a different kind of
in and so it creates a different kind of relationship as opposed to reading a
relationship as opposed to reading a
relationship as opposed to reading a report about the future or even watching
report about the future or even watching
report about the future or even watching a movie in certain cases you’re really
a movie in certain cases you’re really
a movie in certain cases you’re really you’re involved in the creation of that
you’re involved in the creation of that
you’re involved in the creation of that world and this is not my project but I
world and this is not my project but I
world and this is not my project but I put it up here for to show the power of
put it up here for to show the power of
put it up here for to show the power of this kind of experience of different
this kind of experience of different
this kind of experience of different futures this is a project called vision
futures this is a project called vision
futures this is a project called vision not victims and it worked with Syrian
not victims and it worked with Syrian
not victims and it worked with Syrian youth in refugee camps to have them
youth in refugee camps to have them
youth in refugee camps to have them dress up as the future career that they
dress up as the future career that they
dress up as the future career that they want to embody in half so a doctor or an
want to embody in half so a doctor or an
want to embody in half so a doctor or an astronaut and really to empower to
astronaut and really to empower to
astronaut and really to empower to change the narrative of their own lives
change the narrative of their own lives
change the narrative of their own lives their own future lives and to feel that
their own future lives and to feel that
their own future lives and to feel that okay yeah it’s a little bit more real if
okay yeah it’s a little bit more real if
okay yeah it’s a little bit more real if I can see myself in that I mean these
I can see myself in that I mean these
I can see myself in that I mean these are you know psychological known tricks
are you know psychological known tricks
are you know psychological known tricks that we play so that we can embody the
that we play so that we can embody the
that we play so that we can embody the kind of future that we want to be so the
kind of future that we want to be so the
kind of future that we want to be so the office of the weird I would like for
office of the weird I would like for
office of the weird I would like for that you know for us to remember today
that you know for us to remember today
that you know for us to remember today as the start of something that’s 150
as the start of something that’s 150
as the start of something that’s 150 years old and to create it together and
years old and to create it together and
years old and to create it together and to make it happen I think we need a
to make it happen I think we need a
to make it happen I think we need a platform for imagining the future
platform for imagining the future
platform for imagining the future together we do it in different ways or
together we do it in different ways or
together we do it in different ways or we borrow other people’s future I think
we borrow other people’s future I think
we borrow other people’s future I think we need a civic movement to create weird
we need a civic movement to create weird
we need a civic movement to create weird and wonderful futures to do it in Austin
and wonderful futures to do it in Austin
and wonderful futures to do it in Austin it should it should start here you know
it should it should start here you know
it should it should start here you know I think we should live a great story and
I think we should live a great story and
I think we should live a great story and I think we should live and create a
I think we should live and create a
I think we should live and create a weird story – together Thanks
how many of you have heard the phrase keep Austin weird
how many of you have a t-shirt or bumper
how many of you have a t-shirt or bumper sticker says get keep Austin weird or
sticker says get keep Austin weird or
sticker says get keep Austin weird or some variation right how many of you
some variation right how many of you
some variation right how many of you know the story of keep Austin weird the
know the story of keep Austin weird the
know the story of keep Austin weird the background of it a few people not many
background of it a few people not many
background of it a few people not many well I’m gonna tell you a little bit of
well I’m gonna tell you a little bit of
well I’m gonna tell you a little bit of a different story that maybe you haven’t
a different story that maybe you haven’t
a different story that maybe you haven’t heard of before and it begins with the
heard of before and it begins with the
heard of before and it begins with the word weird right the actual etymology of
word weird right the actual etymology of
word weird right the actual etymology of weird goes back hundreds of years and it
weird goes back hundreds of years and it
weird goes back hundreds of years and it really means looking to the future it
really means looking to the future it
really means looking to the future it means things that are to come
means things that are to come
means things that are to come portents of things to come so keep
portents of things to come so keep
portents of things to come so keep Austin weird actually means keep Austin
Austin weird actually means keep Austin
Austin weird actually means keep Austin future-oriented
future-oriented
future-oriented and so let’s keep that in mind as we as
and so let’s keep that in mind as we as
and so let’s keep that in mind as we as we think about keep Austin weird and how
we think about keep Austin weird and how
we think about keep Austin weird and how we respond to it Austin should be by
we respond to it Austin should be by
we respond to it Austin should be by definition by our slogan a
definition by our slogan a
definition by our slogan a future-oriented city and there’s a deep
future-oriented city and there’s a deep
future-oriented city and there’s a deep history to this that I want to share
history to this that I want to share
history to this that I want to share with you that I discovered again that
with you that I discovered again that
with you that I discovered again that maybe you haven’t heard about before and
maybe you haven’t heard about before and
maybe you haven’t heard about before and it begins with our Springs right Austin
it begins with our Springs right Austin
it begins with our Springs right Austin is known for Springs Barton Springs the
is known for Springs Barton Springs the
is known for Springs Barton Springs the native people here thought that the
native people here thought that the
native people here thought that the springs could actually tell the future
springs could actually tell the future
springs could actually tell the future that they were an Oracle of things to
that they were an Oracle of things to
that they were an Oracle of things to come you would consult these Springs so
come you would consult these Springs so
come you would consult these Springs so that’s kind of fascinating history to it
that’s kind of fascinating history to it
that’s kind of fascinating history to it and it goes back to Barton Springs so
and it goes back to Barton Springs so
and it goes back to Barton Springs so there was this group that got together
there was this group that got together
there was this group that got together every so often at Barton Springs and
every so often at Barton Springs and
every so often at Barton Springs and they were called the club of weird WY Rd
they were called the club of weird WY Rd
they were called the club of weird WY Rd and their mission their purpose was to
and their mission their purpose was to
and their mission their purpose was to imagine and reimagine visions for
imagine and reimagine visions for
imagine and reimagine visions for Austin’s future so that was their goal
Austin’s future so that was their goal
Austin’s future so that was their goal that was their purpose for doing that
that was their purpose for doing that
that was their purpose for doing that and it’s a really unusual thing to
and it’s a really unusual thing to
and it’s a really unusual thing to publicly imagine together as a practice
publicly imagine together as a practice
publicly imagine together as a practice right so that goes way back and it was
right so that goes way back and it was
right so that goes way back and it was open to anyone so anyone with a feeling
open to anyone so anyone with a feeling
open to anyone so anyone with a feeling a yearning for the future we call I
a yearning for the future we call I
a yearning for the future we call I Glatz on which if you can see here is
Glatz on which if you can see here is
Glatz on which if you can see here is nostalgia spelled backwards right people
nostalgia spelled backwards right people
nostalgia spelled backwards right people who had a yearning for the future a
who had a yearning for the future a
who had a yearning for the future a yearning for things to come they would
yearning for things to come they would
yearning for things to come they would get together and imagine together at the
get together and imagine together at the
get together and imagine together at the springs and they would of course drink
springs and they would of course drink
springs and they would of course drink and do everything that’s happened kind
and do everything that’s happened kind
and do everything that’s happened kind of vibe to this and when he felt the the
of vibe to this and when he felt the the
of vibe to this and when he felt the the the spirit you would perform singing
the spirit you would perform singing
the spirit you would perform singing tell about your vision for the future of
tell about your vision for the future of
tell about your vision for the future of Austin so fascinating history and I’m
Austin so fascinating history and I’m
Austin so fascinating history and I’m sure if you’ve know about it they also
sure if you’ve know about it they also
sure if you’ve know about it they also used to communicate in weird esoteric
used to communicate in weird esoteric
used to communicate in weird esoteric ways using street art what we would call
ways using street art what we would call
ways using street art what we would call graffiti now and that tradition maybe
graffiti now and that tradition maybe
graffiti now and that tradition maybe has remained in Austin this sort of
has remained in Austin this sort of
has remained in Austin this sort of strange esoteric street art that goes
strange esoteric street art that goes
strange esoteric street art that goes back to the club of weird
back to the club of weird
back to the club of weird another really fascinating bit to this
another really fascinating bit to this
another really fascinating bit to this story is that Bob Kane and the 30s was
story is that Bob Kane and the 30s was
story is that Bob Kane and the 30s was visiting Austin and when they would call
visiting Austin and when they would call
visiting Austin and when they would call a meeting this is not a bat signal this
a meeting this is not a bat signal this
a meeting this is not a bat signal this is a W for weird so this is how they
is a W for weird so this is how they
is a W for weird so this is how they would gather together so Bob came the
would gather together so Bob came the
would gather together so Bob came the creator of Batman incorporated this idea
creator of Batman incorporated this idea
creator of Batman incorporated this idea into the bat-signal another known fact
into the bat-signal another known fact
into the bat-signal another known fact you might might not have known so this
you might might not have known so this
you might might not have known so this went on for a while and as Austin
went on for a while and as Austin
went on for a while and as Austin developed this kind of what call it
developed this kind of what call it
developed this kind of what call it underground but it was really open to
underground but it was really open to
underground but it was really open to anyone this civic imagination practice
anyone this civic imagination practice
anyone this civic imagination practice that existed here grew over time and in
that existed here grew over time and in
that existed here grew over time and in the mid forties or so it was
the mid forties or so it was
the mid forties or so it was incorporated into the city as something
incorporated into the city as something
incorporated into the city as something called the office of the weird and you
called the office of the weird and you
called the office of the weird and you may have your own favorite stories
may have your own favorite stories
may have your own favorite stories Leslie one of our favorite weirdos in
Leslie one of our favorite weirdos in
Leslie one of our favorite weirdos in Austin used to go to those meetings as
Austin used to go to those meetings as
Austin used to go to those meetings as well and maybe you’ve visited them and
well and maybe you’ve visited them and
well and maybe you’ve visited them and seeing some of these are attended some
seeing some of these are attended some
seeing some of these are attended some of these yourself so the office of the
of these yourself so the office of the
of these yourself so the office of the weird a little-known you know they have
weird a little-known you know they have
weird a little-known you know they have briefings with the mayor about once a
briefings with the mayor about once a
briefings with the mayor about once a month and you can ask me or Adler but
month and you can ask me or Adler but
month and you can ask me or Adler but I’m sure he might deny this that it
I’m sure he might deny this that it
I’m sure he might deny this that it exists and and really to express this
exists and and really to express this
exists and and really to express this view not to really try to understand
view not to really try to understand
view not to really try to understand practical outcomes or strategies but
practical outcomes or strategies but
practical outcomes or strategies but really a visioning process really a way
really a visioning process really a way
really a visioning process really a way to to add material and democratize the
to to add material and democratize the
to to add material and democratize the visioning of Austin together and doing
visioning of Austin together and doing
visioning of Austin together and doing that in a public way so given that story
that in a public way so given that story
that in a public way so given that story I just I’m curious how many of you would
I just I’m curious how many of you would
I just I’m curious how many of you would want to attend a office of the weird
want to attend a office of the weird
want to attend a office of the weird meeting how many of you have I Glatz on
meeting how many of you have I Glatz on
meeting how many of you have I Glatz on cool okay that’s great a lot of you
cool okay that’s great a lot of you
cool okay that’s great a lot of you there so the fun part about it this is
there so the fun part about it this is
there so the fun part about it this is the next meeting of the office of the
the next meeting of the office of the
the next meeting of the office of the weird will be its first because
weird will be its first because
weird will be its first because maybe some of you figured this out but
maybe some of you figured this out but
maybe some of you figured this out but that is not a real story I made that up
that is not a real story I made that up
that is not a real story I made that up but I want it to exist so as Harry
but I want it to exist so as Harry
but I want it to exist so as Harry Truman says the only new thing in the
Truman says the only new thing in the
Truman says the only new thing in the world is the history you don’t know or
world is the history you don’t know or
world is the history you don’t know or maybe the futures we haven’t imagined
maybe the futures we haven’t imagined
maybe the futures we haven’t imagined yet so this talk I have two purposes one
yet so this talk I have two purposes one
yet so this talk I have two purposes one is to is to really talk about how
is to is to really talk about how
is to is to really talk about how stories how experiences change our
stories how experiences change our
stories how experiences change our relationship to the future and possible
relationship to the future and possible
relationship to the future and possible futures and the second is to actually
futures and the second is to actually
futures and the second is to actually call into being this thing called the
call into being this thing called the
call into being this thing called the office of the weird so I want to make it
office of the weird so I want to make it
office of the weird so I want to make it happen today and my goal is for this TED
happen today and my goal is for this TED
happen today and my goal is for this TED talk to be the first one to actually end
talk to be the first one to actually end
talk to be the first one to actually end up with an outcome of having a
up with an outcome of having a
up with an outcome of having a government agency created out of that so
government agency created out of that so
government agency created out of that so I’m hoping that might happen and I’m
I’m hoping that might happen and I’m
I’m hoping that might happen and I’m gonna do my best to do it so so so the
gonna do my best to do it so so so the
gonna do my best to do it so so so the first point thinking about the future we
first point thinking about the future we
first point thinking about the future we all do it it’s one of the defining
all do it it’s one of the defining
all do it it’s one of the defining features of people that’s what we do
features of people that’s what we do
features of people that’s what we do we’re kind of prediction machines as it
we’re kind of prediction machines as it
we’re kind of prediction machines as it were that’s what how our brains work but
were that’s what how our brains work but
were that’s what how our brains work but we think about the future using a lot of
we think about the future using a lot of
we think about the future using a lot of the same parts of our brain as we do to
the same parts of our brain as we do to
the same parts of our brain as we do to recall the past so we need the past we
recall the past so we need the past we
recall the past so we need the past we need past experience in order to make
need past experience in order to make
need past experience in order to make different futures thinkable which is
different futures thinkable which is
different futures thinkable which is great you know that’s that’s how it
great you know that’s that’s how it
great you know that’s that’s how it happens we have to rely on our history
happens we have to rely on our history
happens we have to rely on our history the things that we’ve experienced we can
the things that we’ve experienced we can
the things that we’ve experienced we can expand upon them but when the world is
expand upon them but when the world is
expand upon them but when the world is changing very quickly when we have
changing very quickly when we have
changing very quickly when we have nonlinear kinds of changes accelerating
nonlinear kinds of changes accelerating
nonlinear kinds of changes accelerating kinds of changes the past is not always
kinds of changes the past is not always
kinds of changes the past is not always a great predictor of the future and so
a great predictor of the future and so
a great predictor of the future and so we have to artificially create new
we have to artificially create new
we have to artificially create new images of the future we have to actively
images of the future we have to actively
images of the future we have to actively retune our neurons to what’s possible
retune our neurons to what’s possible
retune our neurons to what’s possible and to do that actively do it inside our
and to do that actively do it inside our
and to do that actively do it inside our own minds but then together civically so
own minds but then together civically so
own minds but then together civically so that we can imagine different kinds of
that we can imagine different kinds of
that we can imagine different kinds of futures and different kinds of outcomes
futures and different kinds of outcomes
futures and different kinds of outcomes and not be stuck in someone else’s
and not be stuck in someone else’s
and not be stuck in someone else’s vision a used future that we are
vision a used future that we are
vision a used future that we are inheriting but something that we create
inheriting but something that we create
inheriting but something that we create together and I think Austin is the
together and I think Austin is the
together and I think Austin is the perfect place to imagine the weirdest
perfect place to imagine the weirdest
perfect place to imagine the weirdest possible futures and the psychology of
possible futures and the psychology of
possible futures and the psychology of futures thinking is really interesting
futures thinking is really interesting
futures thinking is really interesting beyond the scope to go and deeply in
beyond the scope to go and deeply in
beyond the scope to go and deeply in this talk but it’s really you know one
this talk but it’s really you know one
this talk but it’s really you know one of the one of the things that I find
of the one of the things that I find
of the one of the things that I find fascinating is the mental health aspects
fascinating is the mental health aspects
fascinating is the mental health aspects of it is that depressed people are
of it is that depressed people are
of it is that depressed people are defined less by their past trauma or
defined less by their past trauma or
defined less by their past trauma or something that’s happened to them and
something that’s happened to them and
something that’s happened to them and more by their it
more by their it
more by their it they’re related but inability to imagine
they’re related but inability to imagine
they’re related but inability to imagine better futures and they overestimate
better futures and they overestimate
better futures and they overestimate risk so depression in a way is a is a
risk so depression in a way is a is a
risk so depression in a way is a is a future thinking disease as it were and
future thinking disease as it were and
future thinking disease as it were and we don’t want to be like this right we
we don’t want to be like this right we
we don’t want to be like this right we don’t want to be disempowered so part of
don’t want to be disempowered so part of
don’t want to be disempowered so part of my job as an experiential futurist and a
my job as an experiential futurist and a
my job as an experiential futurist and a futurist is to empower people
futurist is to empower people
futurist is to empower people individuals groups organizations to to
individuals groups organizations to to
individuals groups organizations to to have some purchase on making better
have some purchase on making better
have some purchase on making better futures to be better architects of the
futures to be better architects of the
futures to be better architects of the future and as Mohsen Hameed says stories
future and as Mohsen Hameed says stories
future and as Mohsen Hameed says stories have the power to liberate us from the
have the power to liberate us from the
have the power to liberate us from the tyranny of what was and what is so
tyranny of what was and what is so
tyranny of what was and what is so stories are very powerful technologies
stories are very powerful technologies
stories are very powerful technologies that we have created to allow us to make
that we have created to allow us to make
that we have created to allow us to make better futures and and my argument here
better futures and and my argument here
better futures and and my argument here is that in order to make new futures
is that in order to make new futures
is that in order to make new futures thinkable and actionable we have to
thinkable and actionable we have to
thinkable and actionable we have to intentionally create design and unleash
intentionally create design and unleash
intentionally create design and unleash a wide range of possible futures into
a wide range of possible futures into
a wide range of possible futures into the present we have to actively do that
the present we have to actively do that
the present we have to actively do that and we have to make those possible
and we have to make those possible
and we have to make those possible futures full-bodied experiences so we we
futures full-bodied experiences so we we
futures full-bodied experiences so we we want to create an emotional connection
want to create an emotional connection
want to create an emotional connection to the future a physical experience of
to the future a physical experience of
to the future a physical experience of that so we make artifacts tangible media
that so we make artifacts tangible media
that so we make artifacts tangible media to do that and that’s what we call my
to do that and that’s what we call my
to do that and that’s what we call my colleague longtime colleague Stuart
colleague longtime colleague Stuart
colleague longtime colleague Stuart Candi and I started calling this
Candi and I started calling this
Candi and I started calling this experiential futures so not just
experiential futures so not just
experiential futures so not just thinking about the future in the
thinking about the future in the
thinking about the future in the abstract which it always is the future
abstract which it always is the future
abstract which it always is the future doesn’t exist but to try to as much as
doesn’t exist but to try to as much as
doesn’t exist but to try to as much as we can again artificially but with a
we can again artificially but with a
we can again artificially but with a purpose to make the future tangible to
purpose to make the future tangible to
purpose to make the future tangible to have a connection to that and to
have a connection to that and to
have a connection to that and to experience possible futures and to embed
experience possible futures and to embed
experience possible futures and to embed that in our bodies so some examples of
that in our bodies so some examples of
that in our bodies so some examples of work that I’ve done in the past this was
work that I’ve done in the past this was
work that I’ve done in the past this was a project with the Hawaii 2050
a project with the Hawaii 2050
a project with the Hawaii 2050 sustainability task force in Hawaii and
sustainability task force in Hawaii and
sustainability task force in Hawaii and we created four different versions of
we created four different versions of
we created four different versions of Hawaii in the year 2050 and a couple
Hawaii in the year 2050 and a couple
Hawaii in the year 2050 and a couple here on the upper right upper left sorry
here on the upper right upper left sorry
here on the upper right upper left sorry is kind of high-growth future and it’s a
is kind of high-growth future and it’s a
is kind of high-growth future and it’s a we staged it as a debate between two
we staged it as a debate between two
we staged it as a debate between two candidates for governor but those
candidates for governor but those
candidates for governor but those candidates were actually corporations
candidates were actually corporations
candidates were actually corporations who as legal persons in this future
who as legal persons in this future
who as legal persons in this future could run directly they didn’t have to
could run directly they didn’t have to
could run directly they didn’t have to pay some politician off they just ran as
pay some politician off they just ran as
pay some politician off they just ran as corporations ran as legal persons this
corporations ran as legal persons this
corporations ran as legal persons this was before citizens united by the way so
was before citizens united by the way so
was before citizens united by the way so I think our time
I think our time
I think our time might be even sure unfortunately
might be even sure unfortunately
might be even sure unfortunately depending on how you think about it but
depending on how you think about it but
depending on how you think about it but through the through the debate we were
through the through the debate we were
through the through the debate we were able to elucidate a lot of the issues
able to elucidate a lot of the issues
able to elucidate a lot of the issues that were happening in Hawaii and that
that were happening in Hawaii and that
that were happening in Hawaii and that high-growth future a lot of you know
high-growth future a lot of you know
high-growth future a lot of you know massive population growth those kind of
massive population growth those kind of
massive population growth those kind of kind of issues that were happening
kind of issues that were happening
kind of issues that were happening environmental issues so one candidate
environmental issues so one candidate
environmental issues so one candidate was a gaming and design company called
was a gaming and design company called
was a gaming and design company called Kobayashi virtual concern the other one
Kobayashi virtual concern the other one
Kobayashi virtual concern the other one was a nuclear energy and water company
was a nuclear energy and water company
was a nuclear energy and water company kind of the incumbent so you can see the
kind of the incumbent so you can see the
kind of the incumbent so you can see the dynamics how that played out on the
dynamics how that played out on the
dynamics how that played out on the bottom right is a another future
bottom right is a another future
bottom right is a another future simultaneously hell we divided the 500
simultaneously hell we divided the 500
simultaneously hell we divided the 500 people into different groups and that
people into different groups and that
people into different groups and that one was an independent military
one was an independent military
one was an independent military dictatorship of Hawaii it was Hawaii it
dictatorship of Hawaii it was Hawaii it
dictatorship of Hawaii it was Hawaii it was a sovereign Hawaii separated from
was a sovereign Hawaii separated from
was a sovereign Hawaii separated from the US but run as a dictatorship but
the US but run as a dictatorship but
the US but run as a dictatorship but people came in and they were cast as
people came in and they were cast as
people came in and they were cast as climate refugees from flooded islands in
climate refugees from flooded islands in
climate refugees from flooded islands in the Pacific so you came in and you took
the Pacific so you came in and you took
the Pacific so you came in and you took an oath and you understood that now
an oath and you understood that now
an oath and you understood that now you’re a citizen soldier in this world
you’re a citizen soldier in this world
you’re a citizen soldier in this world and so you can see how these the
and so you can see how these the
and so you can see how these the performance you know we created the the
performance you know we created the the
performance you know we created the the military uniform of Hawaii in 2050 we
military uniform of Hawaii in 2050 we
military uniform of Hawaii in 2050 we had videos we had oaths
had videos we had oaths
had videos we had oaths so it’s a very participatory active
so it’s a very participatory active
so it’s a very participatory active experience of these kinds of futures and
experience of these kinds of futures and
experience of these kinds of futures and once you experience a few of these your
once you experience a few of these your
once you experience a few of these your mind hopefully is open to seeing
mind hopefully is open to seeing
mind hopefully is open to seeing different sets of possibilities what you
different sets of possibilities what you
different sets of possibilities what you like and dislike and then responding to
like and dislike and then responding to
like and dislike and then responding to that appropriately another example is we
that appropriately another example is we
that appropriately another example is we did this for World Oceans Day in 2010
did this for World Oceans Day in 2010
did this for World Oceans Day in 2010 and we were looking at plastic ocean
and we were looking at plastic ocean
and we were looking at plastic ocean pollution so as I mentioned I lived in
pollution so as I mentioned I lived in
pollution so as I mentioned I lived in Hawaii we would see these tides of
Hawaii we would see these tides of
Hawaii we would see these tides of plastic bits come in to these beautiful
plastic bits come in to these beautiful
plastic bits come in to these beautiful beaches so I was thinking a lot about
beaches so I was thinking a lot about
beaches so I was thinking a lot about the Pacific Gyre now it’s relatively
the Pacific Gyre now it’s relatively
the Pacific Gyre now it’s relatively well known and how do we communicate
well known and how do we communicate
well known and how do we communicate that to an audience this is at the
that to an audience this is at the
that to an audience this is at the California Academy of Sciences how do we
California Academy of Sciences how do we
California Academy of Sciences how do we show that in a way that’s not just hey
show that in a way that’s not just hey
show that in a way that’s not just hey you know there’s a lot of plastic in the
you know there’s a lot of plastic in the
you know there’s a lot of plastic in the ocean you know it’s really doing some
ocean you know it’s really doing some
ocean you know it’s really doing some damage so what we tried to do or what we
damage so what we tried to do or what we
damage so what we tried to do or what we did was create an experience an
did was create an experience an
did was create an experience an invitation to think about how that is
invitation to think about how that is
invitation to think about how that is part of our whole system that we’re part
part of our whole system that we’re part
part of our whole system that we’re part of that system the Pacific we’re all
of that system the Pacific we’re all
of that system the Pacific we’re all connected and we did that through four
connected and we did that through four
connected and we did that through four different drinking vessels that
different drinking vessels that
different drinking vessels that correlated to four different periods in
correlated to four different periods in
correlated to four different periods in time one was 1910 one was 1961 was 2010
time one was 1910 one was 1961 was 2010
time one was 1910 one was 1961 was 2010 and one was 2030 and
and one was 2030 and
and one was 2030 and put the relative amounts of ocean
put the relative amounts of ocean
put the relative amounts of ocean plastic in each one of those and so 1910
plastic in each one of those and so 1910
plastic in each one of those and so 1910 had very little that was the beginning
had very little that was the beginning
had very little that was the beginning of industrial plastic but by 2030 you
of industrial plastic but by 2030 you
of industrial plastic but by 2030 you can see how gross it is now the fun part
can see how gross it is now the fun part
can see how gross it is now the fun part the experiential part of this was that
the experiential part of this was that
the experiential part of this was that you know we were we were drinking out of
you know we were we were drinking out of
you know we were we were drinking out of these and it was gross right there’s
these and it was gross right there’s
these and it was gross right there’s like film canisters and balloons and
like film canisters and balloons and
like film canisters and balloons and pantyhose and gross stuff in there but
pantyhose and gross stuff in there but
pantyhose and gross stuff in there but but the our little trick was that the
but the our little trick was that the
but the our little trick was that the bottom part the ceramic part was
bottom part the ceramic part was
bottom part the ceramic part was separated from the top so it had water
separated from the top so it had water
separated from the top so it had water in it we could drink it but it wasn’t
in it we could drink it but it wasn’t
in it we could drink it but it wasn’t actually connected to that so that that
actually connected to that so that that
actually connected to that so that that that picture that that woman’s face of
that picture that that woman’s face of
that picture that that woman’s face of wonder and disgust is what we were
wonder and disgust is what we were
wonder and disgust is what we were trying to to elucidate to bring out to
trying to to elucidate to bring out to
trying to to elucidate to bring out to create that kind of connection to that
create that kind of connection to that
create that kind of connection to that at an emotional physical connection to
at an emotional physical connection to
at an emotional physical connection to to the Pacific Gyre something way out in
to the Pacific Gyre something way out in
to the Pacific Gyre something way out in the ocean and to understand that that
the ocean and to understand that that
the ocean and to understand that that were part of the same system so that was
were part of the same system so that was
were part of the same system so that was our technique for doing that to use
our technique for doing that to use
our technique for doing that to use disgust as a tool for understanding of
disgust as a tool for understanding of
disgust as a tool for understanding of futures issue and then another project
futures issue and then another project
futures issue and then another project that I did was to create a mayor’s
that I did was to create a mayor’s
that I did was to create a mayor’s office in the city of Newport in the
office in the city of Newport in the
office in the city of Newport in the year 2060 1 so we’ll go into great
year 2060 1 so we’ll go into great
year 2060 1 so we’ll go into great detail here but all of these little
detail here but all of these little
detail here but all of these little artifacts were creations that tell a bit
artifacts were creations that tell a bit
artifacts were creations that tell a bit of the story right so right on the left
of the story right so right on the left
of the story right so right on the left there’s a flag there and it has it’s a
there’s a flag there and it has it’s a
there’s a flag there and it has it’s a 48 star flag because in this future 2061
48 star flag because in this future 2061
48 star flag because in this future 2061 Texas and Hawaii had seceded from the
Texas and Hawaii had seceded from the
Texas and Hawaii had seceded from the Union but the rest had remained right
Union but the rest had remained right
Union but the rest had remained right it’s pretty plausible now so these every
it’s pretty plausible now so these every
it’s pretty plausible now so these every one of these little details every one of
one of these little details every one of
one of these little details every one of these artifacts has a detail it tells a
these artifacts has a detail it tells a
these artifacts has a detail it tells a story
story
story so we think about these things as
so we think about these things as
so we think about these things as artifacts that can archaeologists would
artifacts that can archaeologists would
artifacts that can archaeologists would think about it each each big has to have
think about it each each big has to have
think about it each each big has to have a world that made it possible to exist
a world that made it possible to exist
a world that made it possible to exist in and so it creates a different kind of
in and so it creates a different kind of
in and so it creates a different kind of relationship as opposed to reading a
relationship as opposed to reading a
relationship as opposed to reading a report about the future or even watching
report about the future or even watching
report about the future or even watching a movie in certain cases you’re really
a movie in certain cases you’re really
a movie in certain cases you’re really you’re involved in the creation of that
you’re involved in the creation of that
you’re involved in the creation of that world and this is not my project but I
world and this is not my project but I
world and this is not my project but I put it up here for to show the power of
put it up here for to show the power of
put it up here for to show the power of this kind of experience of different
this kind of experience of different
this kind of experience of different futures this is a project called vision
futures this is a project called vision
futures this is a project called vision not victims and it worked with Syrian
not victims and it worked with Syrian
not victims and it worked with Syrian youth in refugee camps to have them
youth in refugee camps to have them
youth in refugee camps to have them dress up as the future career that they
dress up as the future career that they
dress up as the future career that they want to embody in half so a doctor or an
want to embody in half so a doctor or an
want to embody in half so a doctor or an astronaut and really to empower to
astronaut and really to empower to
astronaut and really to empower to change the narrative of their own lives
change the narrative of their own lives
change the narrative of their own lives their own future lives and to feel that
their own future lives and to feel that
their own future lives and to feel that okay yeah it’s a little bit more real if
okay yeah it’s a little bit more real if
okay yeah it’s a little bit more real if I can see myself in that I mean these
I can see myself in that I mean these
I can see myself in that I mean these are you know psychological known tricks
are you know psychological known tricks
are you know psychological known tricks that we play so that we can embody the
that we play so that we can embody the
that we play so that we can embody the kind of future that we want to be so the
kind of future that we want to be so the
kind of future that we want to be so the office of the weird I would like for
office of the weird I would like for
office of the weird I would like for that you know for us to remember today
that you know for us to remember today
that you know for us to remember today as the start of something that’s 150
as the start of something that’s 150
as the start of something that’s 150 years old and to create it together and
years old and to create it together and
years old and to create it together and to make it happen I think we need a
to make it happen I think we need a
to make it happen I think we need a platform for imagining the future
platform for imagining the future
platform for imagining the future together we do it in different ways or
together we do it in different ways or
together we do it in different ways or we borrow other people’s future I think
we borrow other people’s future I think
we borrow other people’s future I think we need a civic movement to create weird
we need a civic movement to create weird
we need a civic movement to create weird and wonderful futures to do it in Austin
and wonderful futures to do it in Austin
and wonderful futures to do it in Austin it should it should start here you know
it should it should start here you know
it should it should start here you know I think we should live a great story and
I think we should live a great story and
I think we should live a great story and I think we should live and create a
I think we should live and create a
I think we should live and create a weird story – together Thanks
Please follow and like us: