How can stories of the future change the here and now?
Future Narratives explores existing and emerging stories of future and their meaning for society. Like a seismologist looks for elastic waves through the earth, this research aims to locate tension fields, ripples and tears where future-relevant topics arise. These topics emerge in the form of narratives, woven into the fabric of cultural expression, may it be art, advertisement, journalism or science. The examination of such Future Narratives and their connection to certain technologies allows to draw conclusions about society, its wishes, its fears and its ability to transform. But the research of Future Narratives not only focusses on finding existing stories, but also on methods to create them.
What is a (future) narrative?
A narrative is a meaningful story – in the broadest sense. In structuralist literature theory, narratives are defined by a temporally organized sequence of actions in which an event changes the situation. A narrative can be told in the form of written word, visual means or any other form of communication and creative expression. In a sociological sense, a narrative is a shared image, that has the ability to transport and consolidate collective values, emotions and standards. The practice of sharing stories is a core element of human culture and forms a society’s believes and identity. Everybody acts on such believes, on fictions, if you will, things that only exist in a shared consciousness like moral values, laws or traditions. Narratives therefor play an important role in triggering and guiding change processes. Future Narratives are always stories about change.
What stories of the future do we tell (in a time of crisis)?
The potential of change is inherent to the concept of future. As uncertain as it is, the future, as a narrative, is always different to the present. Change happens all the time, but how can you steer global change? If a society wants to a change for the better, it can either try to reanimate the past or conserve the status quo – or transform itself to meet the challenges it is facing. This transformation comes by the costs – or profits – of changing not only your mindset, but your individual daily behavior. Future Narratives can trigger and steer behavioral change on a societal and individual level. How does a person or collective become an agent of change? What is the characteristic of such an individual, institution, group or action? What is their story? What prevents someone from living change and transforming their behavior? And which narratives serve as a guiding system in this process? The examination of the relationship between individual and societal transformations, the obstacles and drivers of change is another research focus on the examination and creation of Future Narratives.
Key Works
Consulting program to incorporate the method of Art Thinking into the management and R&D of companies, research institutions, and government organizations.
A study on behalf of the Austrian Road Safety Board on the topic of careers of the future in the fields of mobility and logistics in the transport sector.
The Futurelab was both the setting and scientific partner of “Homo Digitalis”, a web series of seven episodes about the ultimate future question: What is the digital revolution doing with us human beings?
A collaborative project with NHK pursuing questions about the future of the next generation of 8K ultra-high definition TV technology.
Related Blog Posts:
The Future Is Coded
“I train pedestrians”: Transport careers of the future
Innovation Lab: Digital Innovations in the Construction Industry
Discussions about the Future in the School of the Future
Additional Information
Publications
Christopher Lindinger, Maria Pfeifer: Art Thinking. In: Art in Science Museums. Towards a Post-Disciplinary Approach. C. Rossi-Linnemann, G. de Martini (Eds.). London, New York 2020, Ss 134 -144
KFV – Sicher Leben. Band #18. Berufe der Zukunft in einer automatisierten Mobilitätsumgebung. Wien, 2019
Maria Pfeifer: Future-oriented thinking and action strategies for the world of tomorrow. In: Out of the box. Ars Electronica 2019. Festival for Art, Technology, and Society. H. Leopoldseder, G.Stocker, C.Schöpf (Eds.)Linz 2019, S.294-395
Master Thesis: Pfeifer, Maria (2013) Seh-Buch, Video-Gedicht, Hör-Bild.
Diplomarbeit, Universität Wien. Philologisch-Kulturwissenschaftliche Fakultät
BetreuerIn: Ivanovic, Christine
Interviews & Media
“Wir sind selbst dafür verantwortlich, wie die Zukunft der Arbeit aussehen wird”. Maria Pfeifer, Key Researcher & Artist im Ars Electronica Futurelab, über Mobilitätsberufe im Jahr 2050 und warum es wichtig ist, die Zukunft zu Ende zu denken. New-Skills-Gespräche des AMS (34) – www.ams.at/newskills. Wien, 2020.
Chauffeur war gestern. Die Zukunft der Verkehrsberufe. orf.at, 29. Juli 2019.
Vier Szenarien, die zeigen, wie Roboterautos den Arbeitsmarkt aufwirbeln. Von Co-Bot-Workern bis zu mobiler Psychotherapie: Linzer Forscher entwickelten Visionen, welche Jobs der Mobilitätssektor von morgen bringt. 1.August 2019
Homo Digitalis. Webserie über die Zukunft des Menschen. BR & Arte 2017
