Release | N-factorial scenarios. A systems-theoretical approach to scenario-planning

Abstract: Scenarios are among the most popular techniques for managing the uncertainty and complexity of the future. Even the more sophisticated scenario designs, however, often reduce the future to a narrow set of typically only two key factors that are arranged into a four-square matrix representing four distinct yet interrelated scenarios. Consequently, scenarios have been […]

Preprint | Spaceship Earth. A total institution

Abstract: The concept of Earth as a planetary spaceship serves as a root metaphor of ecological economics, sustainability science, and the broader environmental movement. This article first explores the origins of this metaphor and elucidates the core components and functions of a hypothetical Spaceship Earth. It then draws on Erving Goffman’s characteristics of total institutions […]

Release | Special Issue | Simulation and dissimulation

Virtual Special Issue of Futures on Simulation and dissimulation Edited by Steffen Roth, Jari Kaivo-oja, Kristof van Assche, and Harry F. Dahms Introduction Steffen Roth, Jari Kaivo-oja, Kristof van Assche, and Harry F. Dahms: Expressions of untruth, suppressions of truth. A 21st century reintroduction to “Simulation and Dissimulation” Abstract: In this article, we explore the […]

Release | Expressions of untruth, suppressions of truth. A 21st century reintroduction to “Simulation and Dissimulation”

Abstract: In this article, we explore the paradoxical relationship between simulation and dissimulation. We draw on nine contributions to an eponymous virtual special issue of Futures to emphasise that overreliance on simulations or their confusion with research methods is associated with the risk of abetting academic or political dissimulation or immunization strategies that escape conventional forms of […]

Workshop | Spaceship Earth. A total institution

Popularised in the 1960s, “Spaceship Earth” has become a metaphor for the vision turned imperative that all inhabitants of planet Earth be harmoniously united in the mission to preserve their planet. In this talk, I shall draw on works by Niklas Luhmann, Michel Foucault, and Friedrich August von Hayek to argue that fashionable “missionary theories” […]

CFP | Simulation and dissimulation

Call for Papers to a special issues of Futures. The journal of policy, planning and futures studies [SSCI 2.769, Scopus, FNEGE**, CABS**] on Simulation and dissimulation Guest editors: Steffen Roth* Full Professor of Management, La Rochelle Business School, France Adjunct Professor of Economic Sociology, University of Turku, Finland *Corresponding proponent Jari Kaivo-oja Research Director of Futures […]

Release | COVID-19. Scenarios of a superfluous crisis

Abstract: This study aims to highlight the critical role case fatality rates (CFR) have played in the emergence and the management of particularly the early phases of the current coronavirus crisis. The study presents a contrastive map of CFR for the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza (H1N1 and H2N2). The mapped data shows that current CFR of SARS-CoV-2 are considerably […]

Release | Print theories of computer societies. Introduction to the digital transformation of social theory

Roth S., Dahms H., Welz F., and Cattacin S. (2019), Print theories of computer societies. Introduction to the digital transformation of social theory, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Vol. 149, 119778 [SSCI 5.846, Scopus, CNRS***, FNEGE***, CABS***, VHB***]. The article is for download here. Highlights The digital transformation is fundamentally changing research contexts and conditions in the […]

Release | Digital transformation of social theory. A research update

Roth S. (2019) Digital transformation of social theory. A research update, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Vol. 146 No. September, pp. 88-93 [SSCI 5.846, Scopus, CNRS***, FNEGE***, ABS***, VHB***]. This article has been assessed by the Lithuanian Research Council as Top 10 article co-/authored by Lithuanian-based researchers in the field of social sciences in the […]