This project is my response to the current apocalyptic zeitgeist. In the contemporary discourse, there is only the end of the world. The Rapture, the Revolution, the Climate Apocalypse, the Singularity, Shit Hitting the Fan, the Storm. The common theme of all these beliefs is that they say nothing about the future. It is a blank, an unknown, an unknowable. The problem with this is that without a future to work towards, we have no way to organize ourselves. We are left wandering aimlessly at best and in despair at worst. This project is about finding a positive future that we can strive for and projects to help us get there.
The first step to a good future is imagining it. This is a world building exercise. We are not creating an imaginary world. We are creating a future we can get to. Not a utopia, but a topia. A real place. One where we are solving the challenges that face us and our lives are better than they are today.
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To get to the good future, we must meet the challenge ahead of us. It is essential to acknowledge these problems but not be overwhelmed by them. These problems are so massive and complicated that it is hard to define what the problem actually is. We are dealing with a wicked problem.
From Wikipedia
A wicked problem is a problem that is difficult or impossible to solve because of incomplete, contradictory, and changing requirements that are often difficult to recognize. It refers to an idea or problem that cannot be fixed, where there is no single solution to the problem…
The wicked problem we face is made up of a set interlocking problems. Each section below outlines one aspect of the challenge we face.
But how do we act when we can't know what the problem is?
To see a path to action we start with a simple definition. We define that for every Wicked Problem, there must exist a Wicked Solution. Just as with a wicked problem, the wicked solution is so big and complex that it is impossible to understand all at once. Instead we build the wicked solution out of small solutions, each of which will remain valid no matter what the problem ends up being. We keep on adding small solutions together and, one day, we will look back and realize we have found the future we want.
Building this future will need all of us. We must all find our own small solution to work on. Work where you can, in your home, at work, or in government. All this work, no matter the scale is equally important because we are changing systems. To do so we need to push everywhere, all at once. Below is a list of small solutions. Find the one that appeals to and join the millions of people who are working on building this world already. Welcome.