Used Futures as Stumbling Blocks to Sustainable Development
Keywords:
colonization of thought, story telling, used futures, sustainable development, bedazzled futureAbstract
The images of development in the developed world spur images of similar developments in the developing world, without consideration of local contexts. This purchase of used futures leads to a disincentive for local experimentation and importing of ideas/thought processes that have been successful elsewhere. The result is a plethora of examples of failed interventions and costly experiments in the developing world which have failed to achieve their targets and only installed xeroxed functionalities and organizations without the capabilities of the originals. This article attempts to initiate a dialogue on the types of used futures and how to move away from the colonization of thought processes and policies.
Three types of used futures are identified and discussed. The bedazzled future represents the blatant emulation of someone else with worldly superiority. In symbolic futures, the emphasis is on copying symbols, icons and structures. The Avatar future represents mimicry of thought processes and sensibilties of another culture and context. In terms of moving ahead, it needs to be stressed that while emulation is important for innovation; context and corresponding to local situations is important.
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