Every Sunday, my friendship group would go to the local pub for happy hour. It was a ritual that no matter what had happened during the week, reunited us and allowed us to share, debrief & kickstart the new week with new energy.

 

In the future, regardless of location, this would still be able to happen. A lot of us in the group like to travel, but through hyper realistic holographs one would be able to join in on group meetings. Similar to video chatting platforms where a room code is entered, pubs/public places would have coded holograph pads that one could enter from any part in the world and be part of the meeting. This would allow for an immersive social experience regardless of the physical barriers dividing friendships.

As the technology develops, people can – just as we can now with photos – take mementos through holographs. This could then be used to prepare pre-recorded messages to send to someone, or for them to play in group gatherings. Past loved ones could leave holographic versions of themselves in particular scenarios to accompany in the grieving process. In anniversaries, holographic memory reels could be played.

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REFLECTION

The first playlist for me was very reminiscent of gatherings with friends, and the silly and loving energy that is present when we are together. It instantly reminded me of the little traditions that we hold, and how those could look in the future. It was a very optimistic and idealistic vision – that we could be physically present without being there as we all fulfil our desires of traveling throughout the world. It was quite easy to write fantasies of how we can continue our community with technology but still keep that human aspect.

However, the second playlist changed the mood, leading to a more sombre train of thought. It was melancholy and bittersweet, in the way that you think of past events and memories. Following the idea of holographs, it led me to the thought of creating relivable memories from people & places past. It was, then, creating a future in the hopes of reliving the past. This sparked an interesting thought; as when we manifest the future we don’t necessarily have to strip ourselves of what we have now or have had, but rather take those elements that we miss and love and develop them for a future that we want. Sometimes looking back isn’t regression, it can be progression.

On the futures cone, I think this scenario would fit within the possible – as it isn’t wildly impossible but we are not on a direct trajectory towards it. However, through this new social climate of isolation, there is the potential for people to explore new avenues to stay connected through technology in the future. 

When comparing the two parts of my story, both were similar in nature. The first part I would say was more descriptive than the second, which could have been due to the rhythm of the songs in the first playlist. When concluding my story, I was drawn to thinking about a more positive future, and how I hope we could get there. I think the reason this is the case is because I generally tend to look on the brighter side of life, rather than dread on the things I can’t change. I believe the music in the second playlist though prompted that reaction because it was more uplifting and comforting. 

Usually, I don’t listen to music when I complete tasks, especially writing tasks. But this exercise has potentially changed that for me. 

It was interesting to note the change in tone within my train of thought. My initial future scenario was extremely happy and hopeful when listening to the positive playlist. Although my activity remained a possibility when listening to the melancholy playlist, I found myself looking at the future scenario in a negative/sad light.