20-12-2011 - Rob Huisman interviews John Thackara about his thought-provoking lecture at BNO's 15th anniversary.
'Driving safely in the dark: opportunities for design as the crisis unfolds'. It is the full title of the lecture held by John Thackara on December 15th, to celebrate BNO's 15th anniversary.
Permanent crisis
"We are not in a recession", says John Thackara. "This is permanent. The industrial growth society is on its way out. The good news is that a new kind of economy is now emerging, and it's full of potential for design." For the jubileum of BNO, the professional association for Dutch designers, the self-styled 'optimistic doomer' will describe what he calls the restorative economy.
"For life's real necessities, lighter alternatives are emerging," Thackara says. "This new economy is proof that we are creative enough to imagine sustainable and engaging futures - and take design steps to realize them".
Provocative suggestions
In his lecture, John Thackara focused on inspiring stories from the new economy: peer-to-peer health care and i-medicine; product upcycling; ride-sharing platforms; alternative trade networks, transition towns, and digital local currencies. His talk concludes with provocative suggestions for BNO's next fifteen years - including a "BNO University".
Initiated by Bureau Aardewerk, BNO director Rob Huisman interviewed John Thackara about his lecture. Watch the video here.