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research_report_theun_karelse [2008-02-21 12:31] – theunkarelseresearch_report_theun_karelse [2008-02-21 13:11] – theunkarelse
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 [[Tsunami Pants]] [[Tsunami Pants]]
      
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 ==== Introduction. ==== ==== Introduction. ====
  
 +== Engaging climate change. ==
 In 2006 Foam shifted its general direction to include Luminous Green strategies of: In 2006 Foam shifted its general direction to include Luminous Green strategies of:
   * environmental sustainability   * environmental sustainability
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 The Tsunamipants project shows the traps that are hidden in responding to problems by coming up with solutions that are built within the limits of the problem. This invariably creates new versions of the same problem, it doesn't solve them. The Tsunamipants project shows the traps that are hidden in responding to problems by coming up with solutions that are built within the limits of the problem. This invariably creates new versions of the same problem, it doesn't solve them.
  
-That is the tragedy in which the inventor Martin Brolin is caught in the Tsunamipants project. Martin engages the extreme weather conditions that are associated with future climate changes and tries to engineer his way out-off  danger. In his work Mr. Brolin suffers from lack of expertise, lack of talent, lack of budged, oversized ambition and being over-all mediocre. These are common human traits that run beneath the surface of positive social change. To be able to construct anything realistically and therefor longlasting, I suggest we start by acknowledging that there is nothing inherently wrong with being mediocre. I realise that this goes against giant forces in popular culture, but Martin is deliberately portrayed as a mediocre inventor, although I only later became fully conscious of why I was doing this.+That is the tragedy in which the inventor [[Martin Brolin]] is caught in the Tsunamipants project. Martin engages the extreme weather conditions that are associated with future climate changes and tries to engineer his way out-off  danger. In his work Mr. Brolin suffers from lack of expertise, lack of talent, lack of budged, oversized ambition and being over-all mediocre. These are common human traits that run beneath the surface of positive social change. To be able to construct anything realistically and therefor longlasting, I suggest we start by acknowledging that there is nothing inherently wrong with being mediocre. I realise that this goes against giant forces in popular culture, but Martin is deliberately portrayed as a mediocre inventor, although I only later became fully conscious of why I was doing this. 
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 ==== Context ==== ==== Context ====
-== Climate Change. ==+== Inconvenience. ==
 This research was undertaken in the middle of the Climate Change debate. A seminal event that shapes the discussions in this topic was Al Gore's documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth.' It forces the debate into negative arguments that closely follow the Christian tradition of Man as the species fallen from Grace, which now has to repent. ((Michael Braungart at Utrecht Manifest feb. 2008)) This research was undertaken in the middle of the Climate Change debate. A seminal event that shapes the discussions in this topic was Al Gore's documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth.' It forces the debate into negative arguments that closely follow the Christian tradition of Man as the species fallen from Grace, which now has to repent. ((Michael Braungart at Utrecht Manifest feb. 2008))
 What adds to the feelings of despair around these issues is the complicated nature of environmental and social problems and solutions. There are seemingly endless secondary effects and influences hidden beneath the surface of discussions. What adds to the feelings of despair around these issues is the complicated nature of environmental and social problems and solutions. There are seemingly endless secondary effects and influences hidden beneath the surface of discussions.
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 If we want to look at sustainable ways of living we should look at the lowest classes in  society. I suspect the higher classes have been living in unsustainable patterns for longer. If we want to look at sustainable ways of living we should look at the lowest classes in  society. I suspect the higher classes have been living in unsustainable patterns for longer.
  
-Recently some advocates of change based on positive arguments have become more visible such as the 'Slow-Food'-movement, the 'Cradle-toCradle' and 'Permaculture' design principles. These forces originate from the possibility of improving the quality of life, this includes of course other life-forms besides humans.((VPRO-Tegenlicht documentary series)) +== Positive change. == 
- +Recently some advocates of change based on positive arguments have become more visible such as the 'Slow-Food'-movement, the 'Cradle-to-Cradle' and 'Permaculture' design principles. These forces originate from the possibility of improving the quality of life, this includes of course other life-forms besides humans.((VPRO-Tegenlicht documentary series))
-  * brief summary of the cultural/scientific/social/economic context within which the research is applicable+
  
-== Society and risk. ==+== Tsunamipants applied in a society of risks. ==
 Western society has put increasing efforts into the elimination of risk. Populations are kept safe by systems of regulations, by insurance and by law. This is perhaps another source of 'transcendental boredom'? Certainly people set new limits when risks are eliminated; car safety has dramatically changed diving behaviour. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_perception|Chauncey Starr]] found that people accept risks 1000 times greater if they are voluntary (driving a car) than if they are involuntary (nuclear disaster). And when something bad happens, the focus of attention seems to be on finding out who is responsible.  Western society has put increasing efforts into the elimination of risk. Populations are kept safe by systems of regulations, by insurance and by law. This is perhaps another source of 'transcendental boredom'? Certainly people set new limits when risks are eliminated; car safety has dramatically changed diving behaviour. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_perception|Chauncey Starr]] found that people accept risks 1000 times greater if they are voluntary (driving a car) than if they are involuntary (nuclear disaster). And when something bad happens, the focus of attention seems to be on finding out who is responsible. 
  
 +== Precautionary principle. ==
 The elimination of risk can slow down society when attention goes only to possible negative out-comes. This is the Precautionary Principle, it says, in essence, 'when in doubt, don't.' The 1998 Wingspread Statement on the Precautionary Principle summarizes the principle this way: //"When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically."// ((The Wingspread Conference on the Precautionary Principle was convened by the Science and Environmental Health Network)) The Precautionary Principle, Al Gore's sustainability and Pre-emtive Strike are examples that demonstrate reflexive modernization. Philosophies like this cause the stupid instructions on rear-view mirrors. The elimination of risk can slow down society when attention goes only to possible negative out-comes. This is the Precautionary Principle, it says, in essence, 'when in doubt, don't.' The 1998 Wingspread Statement on the Precautionary Principle summarizes the principle this way: //"When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically."// ((The Wingspread Conference on the Precautionary Principle was convened by the Science and Environmental Health Network)) The Precautionary Principle, Al Gore's sustainability and Pre-emtive Strike are examples that demonstrate reflexive modernization. Philosophies like this cause the stupid instructions on rear-view mirrors.
  
 +== Social risk positions. ==
 Ulrich Beck has discerned two main types of risks: Ulrich Beck has discerned two main types of risks:
   * external risks: natural disasters.   * external risks: natural disasters.
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 Douglas and Wildavsky's Cultural Theory of Risk discerns four types of people: Douglas and Wildavsky's Cultural Theory of Risk discerns four types of people:
-Hierarchists, who fear those risks that threaten the ordering of society. +  * Hierarchists, who fear those risks that threaten the ordering of society. 
-Egalitarians, who use risk for social cohesion. +  * Egalitarians, who use risk for social cohesion. 
-Individualists, who fear the collapse of the market. +  * Individualists, who fear the collapse of the market. 
-Fatalists, who feel it is all inevitable.+  * Fatalists, who feel it is all inevitable.
  
 +== International organisations. ==
 Switzerland has even formed an International Risk Governance Council (IRGC) Switzerland has even formed an International Risk Governance Council (IRGC)
 'The IRGC is an independent organisation whose purpose is to help the understanding and management of emerging global risks that have impacts on human health and safety, the environment, the economy and society at large. IRGC’s work includes developing concepts of risk governance, anticipating major risk issues and providing risk governance policy recommendations for key decision makers.' 'The IRGC is an independent organisation whose purpose is to help the understanding and management of emerging global risks that have impacts on human health and safety, the environment, the economy and society at large. IRGC’s work includes developing concepts of risk governance, anticipating major risk issues and providing risk governance policy recommendations for key decision makers.'
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 Martin Brolin exemplifies the design strategy where solutions only change the problem to a new form. That is what makes the inventions funny. Basically Tsunamipants are a design statement, it shows with traps not to fall into. Martin Brolin exemplifies the design strategy where solutions only change the problem to a new form. That is what makes the inventions funny. Basically Tsunamipants are a design statement, it shows with traps not to fall into.
  
-  * description of how the work relates to other works in the field of inquiry.+== Related projects. ==
  
-[[Tsunami Pants]] is embedded in the European tradition of the drawn narrative. There is a long tradition of mad-scientist and eccentric inventors in fiction. There are other art and design projects, that tackle the same problem.+[[Tsunami Pants]] is embedded in the European tradition of the drawn narrative. There is a long tradition of mad-scientist and eccentric inventors in fiction. There are other art and design projects, that tackle the same problem.\\
 Some are closely related, use humor like: Some are closely related, use humor like:
   * The Yesmen, made the survivaball.   * The Yesmen, made the survivaball.
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   * Adam Whinton and Yolita Nugent's project 'no-contact' selfdefence jacket for women.   * Adam Whinton and Yolita Nugent's project 'no-contact' selfdefence jacket for women.
   * Intercative clothes by, XS-lab, Despina and Papadopoulos or Hussein Chalayan.   * Intercative clothes by, XS-lab, Despina and Papadopoulos or Hussein Chalayan.
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-  * concise summary of the problem domain/s that the research explores, or the specific aims of the research undertaken.+== The problem domain.==
  
 Since last year (2006) FoAM is adapting to a working method and living method that reduces our negative impact on living conditions for life on Earth. We are aware of the great need for this to happen, not just for members of our organization but for society as a whole. We would like to activate others to reduce their damage to the biosphere and society too. So at some point, and it has already arrived, our organization is going to communicate about issues concerning these environmental and social crises. Since last year (2006) FoAM is adapting to a working method and living method that reduces our negative impact on living conditions for life on Earth. We are aware of the great need for this to happen, not just for members of our organization but for society as a whole. We would like to activate others to reduce their damage to the biosphere and society too. So at some point, and it has already arrived, our organization is going to communicate about issues concerning these environmental and social crises.
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 My aim is to show the ridiculous way in which we sometimes go about constructing solutions for climate-change problems. Martin Brolin is created to explore a way of engaging with this crisis in an uplifting way, by showing just such flawed design-strategies. My aim is to show the ridiculous way in which we sometimes go about constructing solutions for climate-change problems. Martin Brolin is created to explore a way of engaging with this crisis in an uplifting way, by showing just such flawed design-strategies.
  
-Saint Francis of Assisi. +
-Giving environmental problems a direct physical presence for people is one of the great obstacles within the debate. Things happen too slow to see and feel, but extreme weather that is associated with climate change is very tangible. Although it is too big to bring to peoples physical reality, like Saint Francis of Assisi often did, extreme weather suits the 'stunt-element' Francis used. And although he did these 'stunts' as a live-show, which may very well be crucial to their success, I will just tell the story of Martin Brolin on paper to start with. And just how far Martin Brolin's activities are going to extend into other media and reality, will become apparent as the project unfolds.+
  
  
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   * if the actual outcomes are different than the expected outcome, the reasons for this should be explained in the "discussion" section   * if the actual outcomes are different than the expected outcome, the reasons for this should be explained in the "discussion" section
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-  * concise description of the way the research will be (has been) developed from establishing the problem definition to the final results+== Designing Tsunamipants, how it works. ==
 The first step to design portable safety technology for natural disasters is to make a full list of these horrors. From this the first opportunities for design become apparent. This can be complemented by a list of controversial technologies, events, objects or places connected to the Climate change discussion, such as biofuels, air-travel, SUV-s and holiday-resorts. By pairing disasters to items from the other lists inspiring combinations can be found. The first step to design portable safety technology for natural disasters is to make a full list of these horrors. From this the first opportunities for design become apparent. This can be complemented by a list of controversial technologies, events, objects or places connected to the Climate change discussion, such as biofuels, air-travel, SUV-s and holiday-resorts. By pairing disasters to items from the other lists inspiring combinations can be found.
 Making a collection of historic and current solutions in wearable safety systems, gives a greater scope of possibilities in this field.  Making a collection of historic and current solutions in wearable safety systems, gives a greater scope of possibilities in this field. 
  
-Designing Martin Brolin.+== Designing Martin Brolin. ==
 The narrative structure of this research hinted at the value of having a central character. While driving to the supermarket, I came across an individual who combined most of the characteristic that I was looking for; mediocrity, recklessness, lack of social inhibitions and self-confidence from unknown origins. In essence a rationalist or even Deist, who feels God may have created the world, but has abandoned it and left no deeper truth for man to find. The narrative structure of this research hinted at the value of having a central character. While driving to the supermarket, I came across an individual who combined most of the characteristic that I was looking for; mediocrity, recklessness, lack of social inhibitions and self-confidence from unknown origins. In essence a rationalist or even Deist, who feels God may have created the world, but has abandoned it and left no deeper truth for man to find.
  
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-  * justification of the methodology+== Justification of the methodology, the strength of physical experiments. == 
 +One person in particular inspired me to design these strange contraptions; Saint Francis of Assisi. Saint Francis lived during the first big corporate revolution, that was a result of the invention of the accounting balance and banking. Saint Francis managed to reach people in the midst of this financial frenzy and successfully showed the unsustainable side-effects of the new economy. ((the Teaching Company, William R. Cook, Ronald B. Herzman))
  
 +Giving environmental problems a direct physical presence for people is one of the great obstacles within the debate. Things happen too slow to see and feel, but extreme weather that is associated with climate change is very tangible. Although it is too big to bring to peoples physical reality, like Saint Francis of Assisi often did, tsunamipants resemble the 'stunt-element' Francis used. And although he did these 'stunts' as a live-show, which may very well be crucial to their success, I will just tell the story of Martin Brolin on paper to start with. And just how far Martin Brolin's activities are going to extend into other media and reality, will become apparent as the project unfolds.
  
 +
 +== DIY culture. ==
 +There are great results to be gained from direct action. This was shown by Srinivasan Soundara Rajan and Marko Peljhan at the Luminous Green symposium and by Suprabha Seshan at the Hands-on Change symposium. ((luminousgreen.org)) The Tsunamipants research project tapps into this tradition and hopefully with the same infectious enthusiasm.
  
 ==== Solution/Results ==== ==== Solution/Results ====
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 The public responded well to presentations. Finding unlikely combinations, unlikely threats or solutions seemed powerful tools for connecting with people. Also a good description of the invention works. The imagery may work better in full-color. The public responded well to presentations. Finding unlikely combinations, unlikely threats or solutions seemed powerful tools for connecting with people. Also a good description of the invention works. The imagery may work better in full-color.
 +
  
 ==== References ==== ==== References ====
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-  * media used in the research+== Media used in the research. ==
 On the Net: On the Net:
- 
-Wikipedia: 
-  * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulrich_Beck 
-  * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_society 
  
   * http://blog.modernmechanix.com   * http://blog.modernmechanix.com
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   * http://eco-cool.blogspot.com   * http://eco-cool.blogspot.com
   * http://www.worldchanging.com/   * http://www.worldchanging.com/
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 +Wikipedia:
 +  * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulrich_Beck
 +  * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_society
  
 Books and magazines: Books and magazines:
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   * How should we then live?, Francis A. Schaeffer   * How should we then live?, Francis A. Schaeffer
   * Nexus #44 #46 #47 http://www.nexus-instituut.nl   * Nexus #44 #46 #47 http://www.nexus-instituut.nl
- +  * The Teaching Company, Saint Francis of Assisi, William R. Cook, Ronald B. Herzman.
-  * +
  
  
-  * visual/sonic/tactile material generated in the research to be archived at FoAM+== Material generated in the research to be archived at FoAM. ==
  
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