We talk for some time about the social responsibilities of designers.
I already tried to make a case that first of all, it is society that
have to take a strong stand. Designers are already ready and doing fine.
In the last several days, it happened that I heard again and again
how society (federal government) mandates or is planning to mandate:
lower emissions (in several areas), particular sustainability
measures, and is issuing a host of guidelines and ordinances in that
regard. This is much more effective than relying on GM automotive
designers to start developing a low-emission engine that is more
expensive, while the the GM directors and stakeholders push for
cheaper engine no matter what. Designers are well and doing fine. But
they can not fight on several fronts: to invent and solve problems,
to persuade their bosses, and to sustain their own careers. That is
why I often say that it is not the designer that will save the world,
it is society as a whole.
We have numerous examples of regulations by EPA regarding emissions,
disposing materials and artifacts, harvesting row materials, fuel
economy, etc. It society develops an extensive system of requirements
and codifies it legal terms, designers will have a foundation to
refer to in their quests.
Best,
Lubomir Popov, Ph.D.
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