Black mirror & the power of speculative design

Debuting in 2011, the British sci-fi series Black Mirror immediately touched a nerve with a large audience. The show cleverly explores a wide variety of topics such as privacy, robotics, augmented reality, social media, AI, smart homes, and, more broadly, the role of technology within society.

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Similarly, the field of Speculative Design uses a variety of mediums to imagine possible futures and simultaneously provide a lens through which to see ourselves more clearly. Both Black Mirror and Speculative Design present countless “What-if?” scenarios that challenge us to consider the benefits and pitfalls that each new technology provides us.

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This workshop will explore lessons from Black Mirror's cautionary tales and delve into the expanding realm of speculative design. With the help of storytelling and open conversation, we will playfully explore ways to shape the futures we desire while moving away from the ones we wish to avoid.