“Turning the affected into the involved – a creative design of the future”
Like no other, this statement characterizes Robert Jungk’s interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary interests. He focuses on four key themes that the founder of a social and emancipated design of the future relentlessly committed himself to as a journalist, author, and gifted orator.
- Democratizing the future – We need everyone! We depend on everyone!
The future is too important to leave it to the interests of (often self-proclaimed) experts and policy makers. According to Jungk’s beliefs, each and every one is capable of independently co-creating the future. Levelling criticism at existing conditions, expressing concerns and implementing them is the foundation of and guarantee for a lively formation of togetherness.
- Controlling science, technology, and power
The scientific and military complex aims for a permanent accumulation of power, particularly in the course of globalization. The risks of technological omnipotent fantasies, especially in nuclear and bio-technology, threaten our future. Consequently, this leads to a limitation of individual self-determination. Counteraction requires attentive and critical control by independent media, plus well-informed, responsible, and committed citizens. Science and research should not serve the interests of power and capital, but the inherent necessities of the powerless and the needy.
- Commitment to justice and humane life forms
Being conscious of the beauty and vulnerability of planet Earth, it is our responsibility to stand up for fair, sustainable, and livable forms of togetherness on all levels. Not technological, but social inventions and new forms of informal and social cooperation, of living, of cultural encounter, of
mobility, of work and not least of leisure, should be developed, tested, and steadily improved in dialogues and in Future Workshops.
- Creativity and art as seismograph of the upcoming
Robert Jungk placed emphasis on the appreciation and promotion of creativity. He saw artists of all sorts as “eternal revolutionaries”, as seismographs and pioneers of the upcoming. These artists, who are more alert and sensitive for the imaginable and desirable, could lay tracks into the future, as well as take up a warning function. He was convinced that the particularly noticeable and tangible creative potential of children and adolescents is still present in every adult, only waiting to be awakened.
Walter Spielmann
Who was Robert Jungk?
More about …
… his life
… his main writings
… his stand against nuclear energy
… his engagement with the new social movements
… Future Workshops