Thinking is the only asset humans possess that will never be automated; however, thinking can be counterproductive if done irresponsibly. But first, what is thinking? The answer is in the question, Heidegger (1968) was right, reasoning can never be narrowed to a definition. Neither science nor technology can define how critical thinkers think. It is indispensable that designers develop engagement with their thinking.
Pollinators are animals that move pollen from one plant to the other. Pollinators are essential for the balance in the entire biosphere. Similar to designers, they work together, collaborate systematically and seamlessly. Nature does not need to think. Nature is at a level where it purely provides answers and warnings. Even though humanity pushes to tame it, nature will still be around after we are gone.
Unlike humans, “[other] living things have done everything we want to do, without guzzling fossil fuels, polluting the planet, or mortgaging their future." (Benyus, 2002, p. 12). Biomimicry teaches us that learning from the autopoiesis of all living systems is possible. Besides being critical, designers must engage with their surroundings to improve all conditions of existence. Designers are pollinators (Kelley & Littman, 2006), making and remaking different worlds through the politics of their practice (Fry, 2018).
Many things are distracting humanity from the primary challenges described in the Tangible Entangle Model (Figure 12). Technology is one of them. Even though people are still able to incorporate all sorts of knowledge, "imagination no longer comes as cheaply as it did in the past" (Latour, 2007, p. 1). Virtuality, as a technology of imagination, is also creating new worlds, only faster, shifting our mindset to the irrational idea of a disposable environment.
Fig. 9. The Tangible Entangle Model’s approach to tackle problematics with the Design Taxonomy.
The world is living in a paradox. Capitalism is seen as the only form of growth, but it proved to be the wrong solution to the current scenario. Since the beginning of the 20th Century, "the invisible hand" aimed to improve life quality by segregating only "the leisure class" to a bright future (Veblen & Mills, 1992). Today, information and communications empower the concept of globalization, where every action is monitored and influences the whole system (Zuboff, 2019). Thus, humanity duels as a whole in a future disrupted by behavioral negligence.
If most people are loyal to their family, neighborhood, and nation, is it hard to be faithful to all humanity and the planet? Is it naive to believe that a set of coordinated actions on a grand scale can improve future conditions? Or referencing Tolstoy (1960), is it foolish to think that the love for one's neighbor is enough?
Poli Nation draws on the idea of a refined system proposal. Poli is rooted in Latin, meaning polish or smooth. The prefix -Poli is found in words like politics, and politics is essential to preserve and distribute wealth. Which, in turn, affects a nation, a community with shared beliefs, culture, language, and purpose. Power and greed create divisions, but the output of negligence affects all people. In the 21st Century, our problems are global. Therefore, we need global answers. I draw back on Heidegger and Fry, design is political and critically engaging, it has to act local but think global.
References:
· Benyus, J. M. (2002). Biomimicry : innovation inspired by nature. New York, N.Y.: Perennial.
· Fry, T. (2018). ‘An Outline Politics of the Critical’ in Chris Brisbin & Myra Thiessen (eds) The Routledge Companion to Criticality on Art, Architecture and Design
· Heidegger, M. (1968). What is called thinking? With an introd. by J. Glenn Gray. New York: Harper & Row.
· Kelley, T., & Littman, J. (2006). The ten faces of innovation: IDEOs strategies for beating the devils advocate & driving creativity throughout your organization. London: Profile Books, 68-89
· Latour, B. (2007). Beware, your imagination leaves digital traces. Times Higher Literary Supplement.
· Tolstoy, L. (1960). The Kreutzer sonata, The devil, and other tales. Translation of Family happiness by J.D. Duff, and of the other stories by Aylmer Maude. London, Oxford University Press.
· Veblen, T. B., & Mills, C. W. (1992). The theory of the leisure class. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers.
· Zuboff, S. (2019). The age of surveillance capitalism : the fight for a human future at the new frontier of power (First edition.. ed.). New York: PublicAffairs.
· Benyus, J. M. (2002). Biomimicry : innovation inspired by nature. New York, N.Y.: Perennial.
· Fry, T. (2018). ‘An Outline Politics of the Critical’ in Chris Brisbin & Myra Thiessen (eds) The Routledge Companion to Criticality on Art, Architecture and Design
· Heidegger, M. (1968). What is called thinking? With an introd. by J. Glenn Gray. New York: Harper & Row.
· Kelley, T., & Littman, J. (2006). The ten faces of innovation: IDEOs strategies for beating the devils advocate & driving creativity throughout your organization. London: Profile Books, 68-89
· Latour, B. (2007). Beware, your imagination leaves digital traces. Times Higher Literary Supplement.
· Tolstoy, L. (1960). The Kreutzer sonata, The devil, and other tales. Translation of Family happiness by J.D. Duff, and of the other stories by Aylmer Maude. London, Oxford University Press.
· Veblen, T. B., & Mills, C. W. (1992). The theory of the leisure class. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers.
· Zuboff, S. (2019). The age of surveillance capitalism : the fight for a human future at the new frontier of power (First edition.. ed.). New York: PublicAffairs.