Design Collection

Why is it so hard to think about the future?

Society's most pressing issues require extensive future thinking. Climate change in particular will require both long term planning and sustained actions over many decades. We cannot wait until we personally experience climate change impacts to plan and act. Instead, we must use our mental time travel abilities to align our present actions with the future we desire. Yet, most people do not regularly think about the future, and this is worrying.

innovation future thinking foresight photography psychology gender neuroscience climate change

Photography

Breathe

Many older homes haven’t been upgraded to resist extreme smoke. During the worst of the wildfire season, smoke creeps in and it’s necessary to wear masks indoors. I’ve become used to wearing heavy masks outdoors, but wearing them indoors still... More

Photography

Constriction

The lakes around Toronto are contaminated with biological and chemical waste, and therefore are no longer usable for recreation. Additionally, housing crises in large cities from the beginning of the century never let up resulting in mass poverty... More

Photography

Decomposition

Fast fashion is highly prevalent, and even mandated by governments. It does not, however, bear any resemblance to what was termed “fast fashion” in the beginning of the century. The “fast” part now refers to how quickly the material will break... More

Photography

Escape

Poor air quality is the norm in most parts of the world, especially in the summer. Travelling to exciting places for “summer vacation” is rare now. The “staycation” has evolved from trendy to necessity as most holidays are now enjoyed at home,... More

Photography

Growth

With heatwaves persisting into the fall, the growing season has also been extended. It’s often not possible to garden in the hottest months, so most have switched to tending autumnal gardens beginning in late September. I look forward to this time... More

Photography

Protection

In this world, extreme heat waves have become the norm in the previously mild climate of the West Coast of British Columbia. They typically begin in April and persist until mid October, with temperatures reaching above 45 degrees Celsius. Metal... More

Photography

Rebirth

Localism has been taken to the extreme as we harness knowledge from the body’s own complex biological systems. This is particularly true of the female body which has always had the ability to be productive using few external resources. As such, my... More

Photography

Regrowth

Single use has been outlawed. While these policies were initially aimed at plastics, they now encompass all materials. Even organics are expected to be used again at least once. The lettuce I buy at the grocery store is genetically modified to be... More

Photography

Relief

Because of ongoing needs of my family and the persistent housing crisis, I find myself in the same studio apartment I landed in when I came to Victoria in the summer of 2020. The old apartment building hasn’t been upgraded much in terms of... More

Photography

Restriction

Wildfire season has expanded in line with heatwaves, meaning that summers on the West Coast are no longer associated with sunshine and camping, but instead hazy skies and poor air quality. Despite increasing restrictions brought on by climate... More

Publication

Why is it so hard to think about the future?

A recent survey revealed that most people do not think about the far future. Most respondents rarely or never thought 30 years into the future, and about 27% rarely or never think even five years ahead (Institute for the Future, 2017). This has... More

Work by

Alexis Tennent

Social Innovation/Photography

“A recent survey revealed that most people do not think about the far future. Most respondents rarely or never thought 30 years into the future, and about 27% rarely or never think even five years...” [More]