Imagined Future Scenarios
Entertainment, Probable Futures, Short Term (1 - 3 years)
Scenario Generated from 'Even Realities G1: The Fashionable Futuristic Smart Glasses That Google & Meta Wished They Made' - Yanko Design
Future Arc and Implications
Grow Arc
Social Impact: Increased social isolation as people become engrossed in personalized AR experiences during commutes.
Technological Impact: Continuous advancements in AR technology lead to more immersive and personalized entertainment experiences.
Ecological Impact: Increased energy consumption and electronic waste from the production and disposal of smart glasses.
Economic Impact: A booming AR entertainment industry generates significant revenue and job creation.
Political Impact: Lobbying from AR entertainment companies influences transportation and urban planning policies.
Narrative: AR entertainment evolves into a dominant industry, shaping urban landscapes with interactive and immersive experiences for commuters, fueling economic growth and technological advancement.
Collapse Arc
Social Impact: Widespread social unrest and disconnection as the reliability of AR systems deteriorates, leading to confusion and accidents.
Technological Impact: AR infrastructure fails due to lack of maintenance, cyberattacks, or resource scarcity, making smart glasses unusable.
Ecological Impact: Environmental disasters disrupt manufacturing and supply chains, impacting the production and distribution of smart glasses.
Economic Impact: The AR entertainment industry collapses as consumers lose trust in the technology and demand plummets.
Political Impact: Governments struggle to maintain order amidst widespread technological failures and social unrest related to failed AR systems.
Narrative: The promise of AR entertainment crumbles as systemic failures in technology, infrastructure, and environment lead to social chaos and economic ruin.
Discipline Arc
Social Impact: Commuters are constantly monitored and nudged towards specific AR experiences aligned with government or corporate agendas.
Technological Impact: AR systems are centrally controlled and standardized, limiting user freedom and customization options.
Ecological Impact: Controlled production and disposal of smart glasses to minimize environmental impact based on strict quotas and recycling programs.
Economic Impact: State-controlled AR entertainment industry prioritizes public service announcements and educational content over commercial interests.
Political Impact: Governments use AR technology for surveillance, propaganda, and social control during commutes.
Narrative: Society regulates AR entertainment in commutes, using constant surveillance and curated experiences in order to promote social order, environmental responsibility, and adherence to governmental dictates.
Transform Arc
Social Impact: AR enhances empathy and shared experiences by connecting commuters through collaborative storytelling and real-time community building.
Technological Impact: Open-source AR platforms enable decentralized content creation and user-driven innovation, fostering creativity and collaboration.
Ecological Impact: Smart glasses are designed for longevity and repairability, minimizing waste and promoting sustainable consumption.
Economic Impact: A decentralized, creator-led AR economy empowers independent artists and small businesses.
Political Impact: Decentralized governance ensures equitable access to AR technology and prevents manipulation by corporations or governments.
Narrative: AR technology catalyzes a paradigm shift, transforming commutes into opportunities for collective creativity, empathy, and community building, empowered by decentralized platforms and sustainable practices.