Nikki Kluskens and Lisa Mandemaker created the Energy Futures Prep Pack, a cultural probe that explores the intangible goods—stories, values, and aspirations—we might carry into a future without electricity.
Preparing for an emergency
When we talk about packing for an emergency, we think of tangible goods: flashlights, first-aid kits, water, documents. But there's another way to prepare for emergencies. The intangible goods we carry—stories, ideas, values, aspirations, and facts—can strengthen or weaken us, connect or disconnect us, motivate or demoralize us. They not only prepare us to face emergencies but also influence whether and how they happen. These intangible goods shape who we are, and who we are determines what survives. So, which intangible goods do we pack and carry into a desirable future? When we talk about packing for an emergency, we think of tangible goods: flashlights, first-aid kits, water, documents. But there's another way to prepare for emergencies. The intangible goods we carry—stories, ideas, values, aspirations, and facts—can strengthen or weaken us, connect or disconnect us, motivate or demoralize us. They not only prepare us to face emergencies but also influence whether and how they happen. These intangible goods shape who we are, and who we are determines what survives. So, which intangible goods do we pack and carry into a desirable future?
To figure out what intangible items we should pack, Nikki and Lisa designed a cultural probe disguised as an Energy Futures Prep Pack. A cultural probe is a design research method where people are invited to use the probe in their daily lives to collect items and insights. Using this PrepPack, participants are invited to embark on a mental journey exploring a possible scenario where there is no more electricity. On what types of energy do we depend on in this future? What do we lose? What opportunities does this bring? The collection of insights is presented alongside three Future Energy Tales written for this project.
