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The Global Futures Lab

This chapter critiques the politics behind the representations of the future conjectured by contemporary creative industries and offers a counter-model based in specific forms of ‘cultural determinism’. It argues that the vast majority of creative speculations were and still are a mere representation of the fears and dreams of a restricted part of the global community, and are defined by a distinguishable style of Hollywoodesque sci-fi imaginary or the taste of the dominating design establishment. Drawing on the empirical experiential research undertaken by the Global Futures Lab—which invites international students to reflect upon their personal idea of future—this chapter advocates the need for more pluralist perspectives and localized visions in which traditions and belief shape alternative and hyper-contextual future realities.