Year 127

DESIGN FICTION
VALENTIN ZELLMER
M.SC. – LEIBNIZ UNIVERSITÄT HANNOVER
07.2020 – 2. SEMESTER

Design fiction is a form of speculative design based on narrative that presents potential future scenarios, making room for critical discussion. By using different techniques (such as diagetic prototyping), design fiction questions established design concepts and principles while exploring unintended final consequences, questioning paradigms through eu- and/or dystopian visions. It is important to note that design fiction works in the realms of what is possible, not necessarily what is probable.

Year 127 is a vision of a future hegemonically controlled by automated computational calculations. Tech-giants form alliances with governments to provide cybersecurity guarantees and the cutting edge in terms of biopolitical governance. The rise of quantum computing enables a lighting fast development in science and technology. After the worldwide public sector starts to be highly dependant on algorithms, a point is reached when human intervention stops being necessary or even possible. The Algorithm is born, in an event later known as the Foundation. The year is 127 (after the Foundation).

[Use headphones for an optimal experience.]

SOURCE (GRAPHICS)

1)  (Timeline background, video thumbnail) Copyright: Cristiano Bianchi and Kristina Drapic, “Model City: Pyongyang” (2019). https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/26/opinion/sunday/architecture-north-korea-pyongyang.html/ (accessed 28.07.2020).
2) Original: https://www.dvz.de/rubriken/logistik/intralogistik/detail/news/wie-amazon-ki-im-lager-einsetzt.html/ (accessed 22.06.2020).
3) Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72o0_7H8SGc/ (accessed 28.07.2020).
4) Copyright Original: Clemens Gritl, “A Future City from the Past” (2019). https://weburbanist.com/2017/06/12/brutalist-victory-concrete-skylines-dominate-radical-retro-future-cities/ (accessed 28.07.2020).
5) Copyright Original: Yiran Fu, Zhen Meng, “Hedonistic Resilience as Landscape” (2020). http://www.evolo.us/stockholm-mill-skyscraper-hedonistic-resilience-as-landscape/ (accessed 28.07.2020).
6) Original: https://elpais.com/elpais/2020/06/16/eps/1592305195_758219.html/ (accessed 22.06.2020).
7) Copyright Original: Fan Ho, “Long Time No See” (1963). https://petapixel.com/2014/08/25/fan-hos-incredible-black-and-white-street-photography-of-1950s-hong-kong/ (accessed 28.07.2020).
8) Copyright Original: Cristiano Bianchi and Kristina Drapic, “Model City: Pyongyang” (2019). https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/26/opinion/sunday/architecture-north-korea-pyongyang.html/ (accessed 28.07.2020).

9) Own.

10) Copyright Original: Google. https://sites.google.com/site/storagecloudtechnology/our-biggest-server-centre-in-google/ (accessed 28.07.2020).

11, 12, 13, 14, 15) Own.