Ran across this though picture by Bruce Sterling, considering the future on two variables, stability in exchange systems and the emerging telecommunications technology.
http://kashklash.dreamhosters.com/big-mama-greifsvald-rebel-kids-brixels-the-people-of-kashklash/
Considering 4 quadrants in a 2×2, he walks through the four options:
- Low and low, or “a confusing mess with old, broken technology.”
- Low and high, “a confusing mess in the new cloud.”
- High and low, “massive change with old, broken technology.”
- High and high scenario, “massive change in the new cloud.”
The concept of a “MASSIVE CHANGE IN A NEW CLOUD” is a wonderful concept with high tshirt possibilities (I can’t get off my uncontrollable desire to make a tshirt slogan out of everything … I finally printed/ordered my Tibor Kalman, “Consuption is a treatable disease.” and am actually wearing it today!).
People stopped believing that houses had to be real, “cloud design” came to be and “brixels” instead of bricks were the new building blocks of tomorrow. Mobile, interlocking, hi-tech pieces that are cheaper than bricks make up the new standard for construction and housing.
A short, but interesting four-part scenario of one possible future. Sterling’s amazingly fun at rolling with these ideas and breathing some form of life into them. A nice example of the power of persona scenario stories to expand upon the potential of an idea.