Introducing Science Fiction Prototyping

Dr Anita Greenhill© & Samuel Imhanwna

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What is SFP? Fictional prototyping seeking explore a series of

alternative futures through the techniques of fiction and drama.

The technique prototypes objects and devices being currently developed in the “real world” to see how they might be utilised or how people might respond to new designs, tools or scenarios

Why SFP?

Opens up the imagination Encourages creativity Easily accessible, familiar and workable framework Has a logic that requires connections between the

beginning, middle and end of a story as well as sufficient elaboration of characters, events and actions

FUN!

Ben Johnson’s 5 steps

First- Pick Your Science and Build Your World

• Select the technology or science you want to explore as well as consider the broader elements of the story, such as when and where the story will take place and who the characters will be.

Second: The Scientific Inflection Point-

Envision the impact that you think the technology will have on the various elements in the story .e.g. Individuals, communities, cities, government, farms/ farming, your characters

Third: Ramifications of the Science on People

Evaluate how the knock on effects of the technology might cause

societies and systems change in response to the technology in a

lasting way. Consider both the negative and positive effects.

Push these effects to the extreme to find new areas to explore,

but pare them down in the story.

Fourth: The Human Inflection Point

Bring the story back to your characters and inspect

in depth how they are adapting to the technology .

Finally: Together What Did We Learn?

Reflect on the lessons learned by creating the world

as described in the previous four steps