Our civilization is facing many simultaneous crises: crises in ecosystems, meaningful work and lives, global economics, media, and political legitimacy. A common cause is that systems have been designed around affluence and engagement, rather than life meaning. Current systems—despite their successes measured in dollars, clicks, views, or votes—fail to support the values and meanings of their participants.
New local and global systems are needed to navigate these crises. Systems that work together to support 11 billion people with meaningful lives at zero carbon. New forms of architecture, politics, economics, land ownership, agriculture, etc. A brand new
Social design is the process of detecting problems with social systems and redesigning them to support the diversity of participants' values. WIP
What is a Social System?
Social systems. Systems made of people, where there are codified and mutually understood roles and responsibilities. These designs can range from dinner table conversation games to social networks and global governance structures.
Examples of Social Systems
Type of Problems in Poor Social Design
Don’t forget
Polarisation
Institutional Decay
Illegitimacy
Misinformation / Disinformation
The Tools of a Social Designer
What does a Social System Designer need to know to be effective
Fictions an representation in Sci-fi, fantasy, dystopian thrillers and art help to speak to what cannot be simply said and formalised in words. The design decisions made by social designers can be inspired and constrained by works in these genres and fields.
