WilliamsMemo25

Williams Memo 25 Shifts in Sign Systems So I am thinking that there will be a shift from the usage of the term 'appropriate' design, to using the term 'sustainable' design. I believe that this term collapses the high tech v. low tech binary because it has not (yet) been conflated with design for LTI (less technology infrastructure). Quoting from my Emerging Narratives memo, "It seems to me that appropriate technology by itself was not enough to incite institutional change. Instead when it joined the rhetoric of global climate change, and, neoliberal capitalism and environmentalism, under the umbrella of sustainability, that is when you see this unified mythology affecting change….There are many NGOS that are focused on creating appropriate technology solutions for infrastructure and health problems in the developing world. Many of these NGOs are attempting to create/transfer reasonably priced environmentally responsible goods and services that respond to social needs in the developing world. It is possible that there is some commonality between them through the unifying myth of sustainability, and, its subset social entrepreneurship. " Right now, I am not even sure if there IS a unifying myth of sustainability as I have not read enough secondary literature to determine this. But the idea of sustainability is so pervasive, and defined so frequently, and with such joy and verve, that I find myself caught up in its appeal -- which suggests that there is some sort of mythos holding it together.