The concept of Hegemony appeared due to a cleft in history that had to be repaired, as a response to a kind of contingent intervention in a time of social crisis. Unfortunately, with Gramsci, the concept extrapolated to Cultural Hegemony, which is the manipulation of the culture in a segment of society, when a ruling-class imposes a dominant ideology (Laclau & Mouffe, 1985). Humanity is heading to a new crisis-era without precedents, one that presents global relations to political conflicts, economic recessions, and social repression. These relationships are catalyzed by the imminent environmental collapse, technological disruption, and human inability to respond rapidly to such a scenario.
Science and technology bring something to the present. This is tangible or intangible, is related to the human capacity to provide meaning to 'what is' known or not by people. Therefore, what exists or is going to be built is interpretative. It's connected to the hermeneutic capacity of understanding everything (Willis, 2006).
Being and Time (Heidegger, 1962) elaborates on the relationships between truth, worldhood (circularity), and technology. Conceptually, these are the foundations for 'building' or 'dwelling' (ontological designing) in modern times. Bauen is the german word for building, which also means to guard and attend. "To build in the sense of preserving and nurturing" (Heidegger, 1975, p. 147) to be mindful of our footprint, and ultimately, to care for each other. After all, isn't that what it means to be human?
To solve highly complex global issues, humanity is not only aiming for social innovation but a new form of civilization. "When confronted with new problems, human beings tend to use their innate creativity and design capacity to invent and realize something new: they innovate." (Manzini, 2015, p. 9) Talentism emerged as an unorthodox approach to the future of work and ways to gain creative skills towards improving the world's axiological network (Ashford, 2014). Perhaps creating new ways to exchange value itself. Thus, the rule of capital could be replaced by human talent. Human talent could be appreciated in a world where most jobs are automated. New modes of education are critical to reaching innovative universal ways of co-living.
To transcend the pressing Hegemonic environment and propose a new value formulation, global culture has to be restructured as a dynamic process. Sustained development requires to enter the realm of implementation of strategic and holistic actions at higher levels. Human Hackers (designers) have to navigate, collaborate, and intervene in these multiple streams. Hawkes (2004, p. 28) elaborates on seven areas of social interaction in which culture, the value generator of society, is the main engine for change.
1. Education and training
2. Communications and public affairs
3. The constructed environment and public facilities
4. Arts
5. History and heritage
6. Recreation and leisure
7. Sports (physical health)
I propose the addition of mindfulness or mental wealth to Hawkes’ study. A basic human need for confronting future scenarios.
These realms are culture at work. However, for rebuilding in a critical scenario, the methodology should be contextual and integrated into the cultural evaluation and capabilities of the area where intervention is taking place. Ultimately, enabling and achieving Autonomous Design.
References:
· Ashford, O. (2014). Talentism: unlocking the power of the new human ecosystem. New York, NY: Mercer.
· Hawkes, J. (2004). The fourth pillar of sustainability: cultures essential role in public planning. Melbourne: Cultural Development Network.
· Heidegger, M., Macquarrie, J., & Robinson, E. (1962). Being and time. Malden, MA: Blackwell.
· Heidegger, M. (1975). Poetry, language, thought (1st Harper colophon ed.. ed.). New York: Harper & Row.
· Laclau, E., & Mouffe, C. (1985). Hegemony and socialist strategy: Towards a radical democratic politics. London: Verso.
· Manzini, E., & Coad, R. (2015). Design, When Everybody Designs: An Introduction to Design for Social Innovation.
· Willis, A.-M. (2006). Ontological designing. Design Philosophy Papers, 4(2), 69-92. doi:10.2752/144871306x13966268131514
· Ashford, O. (2014). Talentism: unlocking the power of the new human ecosystem. New York, NY: Mercer.
· Hawkes, J. (2004). The fourth pillar of sustainability: cultures essential role in public planning. Melbourne: Cultural Development Network.
· Heidegger, M., Macquarrie, J., & Robinson, E. (1962). Being and time. Malden, MA: Blackwell.
· Heidegger, M. (1975). Poetry, language, thought (1st Harper colophon ed.. ed.). New York: Harper & Row.
· Laclau, E., & Mouffe, C. (1985). Hegemony and socialist strategy: Towards a radical democratic politics. London: Verso.
· Manzini, E., & Coad, R. (2015). Design, When Everybody Designs: An Introduction to Design for Social Innovation.
· Willis, A.-M. (2006). Ontological designing. Design Philosophy Papers, 4(2), 69-92. doi:10.2752/144871306x13966268131514