From Dr. Kevin Hilton who is having email issues with Jiscmail.
Terry
===

I would agree with Matthew to a degree. While we have increased our
awareness and understanding, in a number of professions including Design
over the last few decades, the fact is we do seem to be changing too slowly
to deal with predictions of impact. Whilst this in the main seems to be down
to human differences in world view perceptions of threat and value in
change, I believe a key problem we all face is in not finding a common
catalyst/vision to 'redirect' everyone 'together' in a more positive
direction. Instead some of us would appear to be making some effort to
redirect our own practices but experience difficulties as we get it caught
up in so many other issues, and complexity.

To use a clock analogy: We need to slow down this particular clock, so that
it works in a more realistic (Sustain-able) manner, providing value to all.
However, effort from each cog (profession) alone is too weak to make the
correction. Also if all cogs do not move in the right direction at the right
speed it also acts against the efforts of others and the system remains
uncorrected.

To enable such massive change would seem to need a single medium of
communication and coordination, to focus on and facilitate doing rather than
just talking or writing about doing. This would suggest to me the need to
radically change our perception of the function of the world press channels
and other modes of immediate broadcast, to communicate the value of everyone
changing together, and reporting where it is starting to work. We need clear
feedback and positive news, to further enable change, rather than the sad
'entertainment value' of bad news which enables some people to think 'Well
at least I'm alright Jack.' I suppose core to this 'correction' then is
determining and ensuring a responsible practice for the media.

The problems with this proposition first off are lack of trust in the media,
and secondly the political influence and denial of issues which we have seen
in the press, when it is actually less risky to accept and respond to
predicted threats even if the prediction proves wrong. It is a bit like the
philosopher's risk analysis for being atheist or a believer, showing that
the risk is less for being a believer.

Like most people and businesses there is the deep drive to make money and
deal with problems later. However, our value systems do seem able to change
in times of catastrophe when we are seen to work together for resolution.

The problem with the evidence of catastrophe is that it is often already too
late, at least for the victims. Also, getting someone to work in a
preventative rather than curative mode seems almost akin to asking for
belief of a religious nature. 'Sure I'll believe as long as 'He' shows
himself.' Many of the cultures in this world base their learning and
understanding upon their physical senses, not the imagination of what might
be. And attempting to 'convert' them brings up a whole host of other
problems, not to mention being ethically questionable.

So, in terms of what we might 'see' change more quickly than climate, to
'prove' the value of change, would be evidence of a better alternative to
the money hungry consumerist model of existence. But maybe the human animal
is not wired to appreciate any other system as 'more rewarding'.
I'd certainly like to see us 'doing' something along those lines though, to
see global TV plus local community show examples of reducing 'expenditure'
and improving well-being and balance, to encourage myself and others to copy
or at least investigate whether we can also make such improvements.

I'm presently planning to make a prototype video of how I live in my house,
not to say this is the best way to live, but to say these are changes I have
made to my lifestyle; for me then to investigate whether watching such a
video, of someone 'familiar' to the audience, (at Northumbria), helps them
to raise more appropriate questions of change, and follow through to actual
change, more effectively than just reading or talking about it.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Regards

Kev


Dr. Kev Hilton
Head of Research
The Centre for Design Research
School of Design
City Campus East
Northumbria University
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8ST
UK

0191 243 7340
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http://northumbria.ac.uk/experts/kevinhilton