Future Storytelling Exercise
Neue Dringlichkeit

Score
Imagine it is 2070, more than 50 years into the future. Against all odds, things have developed in an amazingly positive way. In 2070, we are living in an inclusive, civil and peaceful society where people from diverse backgrounds interact with each other in a respectful and joyful way. Within only a few decades, things have happened, that before seamed impossible. But not only were they possible, they really happened.

Description
This is the Future Storytelling Exercise – “Speculative Speech”. Get together with a partner. Identify one as the interviewer and one as the speaker (roles will be swapped). Together you will go on an imaginary time travel. You have 60 minutes. After 30 minutes, roles will be swapped.

Imagine it is 2070, more than 50 years into the future. Against all odds, things have developed in an amazingly positive way. In 2070, we are living in an inclusive, civil and peaceful society where people from diverse backgrounds interact with each other in a respectful and joyful way. Within only a few decades, things have happened, that before seamed impossible. But not only were they possible, they really happened.

Together create a story, looking “back” on the last 50 years, from 2070 to 2019. The speaker starts by saying who she*he is in 2070. Invent a character for yourself, a future-version of you and describe it to the interviewer.

Then the speaker describes a positive future scenario for 2070 as precise as possible and most importantly, how this was achieved. What happened? What brought about this positive change?

The interviewer can ask the following questions to help the speaker:
– How is the situation now in 2070? For the speaker, for different groups within the society.
– Please decribe details. For example: How do buildings look like? What do people eat? What kinds of events do people visit? How do people spend their time?
– How / where do people from different backgrounds meet, live together and interact peacefully? Imagine and describe concrete (fictional) situations and how they feel.
– Looking back, how did these positive developments happen?
– What were the key events, important actions or driving factors that brought about this change?
– Who were important figures / groups / organisations in this?
– Which role did you play?
– Where do you live now?
– How does your typical day look like?

Tip: Try to always use the present or past tense. For example, don’t say “In 2070 things will be like…” Instead say: “Now, in 2070 things are like… In 2050 something important happened: ….”.

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Neue Dringlichkeit
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