Felipe Koch "Imaginaires et futures literacy"

Felipe Koch "Imaginaires et futures literacy"

by Felipe Koch · View the channel on PSI

Humanities, Social Sciences & Thought Society & Culture JBFSocial and ethical issuesJBFZSocial forecasting, future studies
🎙 Felipe Koch 👥 265 📅 September 28, 2026 ⏱ 30 min 👁 0 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-09-28
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

futures literacyimaginariesscenariosanticipationchange

Summary

In this conference, Felipe Koch, a sociologist specialized in imaginaries, introduces the concept of futures literacy, a capability developed by UNESCO which enables individuals and groups to actively engage with the future. He argues that the future is not a distant point but is constantly constructed in the present through our images and assumptions. Koch stresses the importance of understanding the roots of our future images to be able to challenge them and create desirable futures. He cites Gaston Berger and Hilbert (likely James Dator) to illustrate that futures studies aim at ‘perturbing the present’ rather than predicting. Through interactive exercises with the audience, he demonstrates how people’s assumptions about the future are often negative, but that most believe in collective agency. He describes a futures literacy laboratory conducted at UPEC on the university of the future, emphasizing the need to make tacit assumptions explicit and to reframe scenarios. He also critiques the use of AI-generated images as often reproducing present preconceptions rather than challenging them. The talk concludes with a Q&A session where he discusses methods for collective anticipation, such as futures literacy labs used in Brazil for public policy. The overall message is that we must imagine the impossible and become literate in futures to navigate transitions meaningfully.

210 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of the information lies in its accessible explanation of futures literacy, a relatively niche but growing field. Koch effectively introduces key concepts such as the difference between short-term extrapolation and long-term prospective thinking, and the importance of diversity in imagining futures. He supports his argument with concrete examples from workshops and a laboratory, and through audience interaction he illustrates how personal and collective assumptions shape our visions of the future. His reasoning is coherent: the future is not predetermined but emerges from our present actions, and futures literacy helps us intentionally shape that emergence. However, the argumentation is more inspirational than rigorously analytical; it relies on anecdotal evidence and personal conviction rather than empirical data or systematic review. The strength of the talk lies in its clarity and ability to provoke reflection, though it may not satisfy a demand for deeper scientific substantiation.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is moderate. Koch references several established figures in futures studies—Gaston Berger, Riel Miller, and likely James Dator—but does not provide specific citations or URLs. He draws on his experience as a practitioner, which adds authenticity but also limits verifiability. The talk is more a lecture than a peer-reviewed presentation; however, it aligns with established literature on anticipation and futures studies. The title is accurate: the content revolves around imaginaries (collective images of the future) and futures literacy (the capability to understand and use those images). The title does not overpromise and reflects the talk’s focus. No comments were provided to gauge public reception.

266 words

Title / Content Match

The title matches the content: the talk discusses collective imaginaries and futures literacy.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The talk is a well-structured argument by an expert in futures studies, but lacks explicit citations and relies on personal experience and anecdotal exercises.

Key Moments

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

Cited Sources

  • Gaston Berger - philosophy of action — Cited for his idea that anticipating the future serves to illuminate present decisions.
  • Riel Miller - Futures Literacy Laboratories — Referenced as the creator of the futures literacy approach and UNESCO's role in its development.
  • James Dator - futures studies pioneer — Mentioned in connection with the first doctoral program in futures studies and the rule that if it is not ridiculous it is not the future.

Contribution & Novelties

The talk provides an accessible introduction to the concept of futures literacy, emphasizing that the future is not a fixed endpoint but a space of possibilities constructed through our present beliefs and actions. It offers a practical framework for making tacit assumptions explicit and using transformative scenarios to challenge them. The novel aspect lies in connecting future literacy to public deliberation and collective action, as exemplified by the workshop at UPEC.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • Futures literacy on Wikipedia — Background and development of the concept by UNESCO.
  • Anticipation (theory) — Theoretical underpinnings of anticipatory systems relevant to futures studies.
  • Riel Miller (talk page) — Profile of the key initiator of futures literacy, his work and publications.
  • Gaston Berger’s philosophical contributions — French philosopher whose ideas on prospectives are foundational (in French).

133 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows moderate to high values in information quality and reliability, reflecting a well-presented expert talk without deep technical detail. The lower level of technicality indicates it is accessible to a general audience, while the moderate quantity of information suggests a concise introduction rather than exhaustive coverage.

Reliability 6/10