by Greg Landry. Urban and rural polarization can be defined as the political, social, economic, and cultural divide between urban and rural areas. If left unchecked, the implications of polarization include an increase in prejudice and discrimination, slower economic development, and an inability to address societal challenges (Elderman Trust Barometer, 2023). In Canada, dimensions of urban-rural polarization appear frequently in the mainstream media. Causal Layered Analysis (CLA) is a futures methodology that uses a layered approach by deconstructing and reconstructing complex social problems. The classical methodology unpacks issues across four levels: litany, systemic causes, discourse/worldview, and myth/metaphor (Inayatullah, 1998, Inayatullah et…
Author: Abril Chimal
Nadya Shaznay Patel & Jawn Lim Tze-hin Organisations often slip into an Anti-Futures Triangle where the push of feared tomorrows, the pull of nostalgic yesterdays, and the weight of present-day constraints trap them in regression. We model this decline as a five-layer Regression Spiral: Restorationists; Defenders; Reactionaries; Fatalists; and Dystopian Destroyers, accelerating ongoing systemic breakdown. We integrate Critical Design Futures (CDF) with generative AI (GenAI) to diagnose an organisation’s position on the Regression Spiral Scenario, disrupt it with AI-generated visual provocations, and design a preferred-futures portfolio linked to specific transformation projects. CDF question-starters are externalised as synthetic images that surface…
This podcast explores science fiction as more than just stories or entertainment. It’s an invitation to look at how sci-fi can open up new ways of imagining, creating, and acting in the world. What kinds of futures and images emerge from different perspectives? And how can these stories move us toward actions, strategies, and policies for a more plural, creative, and caring world for everyone? Initiative lead by the editorial team of JFS Perspectives 1-Futures We Were Never Sold In this introductory episode, Abril Chimal, Jacques Barcia, and César Santivañez explore the intersections of science fiction and decolonial thinking,…
Hi and welcome to the JFS Perspectives podcast! We’re excited to have you tuning in. This podcast is a new venture for JFS, aimed at reaching more people and giving you a glimpse of the incredible content featured in our quarterly publication. We can’t wait to share some highlights and hopefully inspire you to check out the full issues. Episode 4: The Future of Sport and Recreation in New Zealand Interviewees: Nur Anisah Abdullah & Azra Naimi | Interviewer: Loes Damhof & Abril Chimal We’re thrilled to share our latest episode featuring Nur Anisah PhD, and Naimi I., winners of the…
Hosted by Mattia Vettorello The Journal of Futures Studies “Perspectives” is a space for exploring transformative ideas for social and socio-ecological change as well as challenging “used futures.” We team up with The Briefing. Today, a futures-oriented podcast that speaks to people’s curiosity to adventure in unchartered territories and desire to innovate by inclusion and diversity. The Briefing. Today as JFS Perspectives encourages to embrace an attitude toward the wonder of uncertainty and novelty to inspire creative imagination to design for sustainable futures. Its objectives are to create awareness, share, and innovate. Notes: To listen the first episodes of The Briefing.Today click here If…
Hosted by Mattia Vettorello The Journal of Futures Studies “Perspectives” is a space for exploring transformative ideas for social and socio-ecological change as well as challenging “used futures.” We team up with The Briefing. Today, a futures-oriented podcast that speaks to people’s curiosity to adventure in unchartered territories and desire to innovate by inclusion and diversity. The Briefing. Today as JFS Perspectives encourages to embrace an attitude toward the wonder of uncertainty and novelty to inspire creative imagination to design for sustainable futures. Its objectives are to create awareness, share, and innovate. Note: if in your country any music streaming services aren’t available please visit The…