Tennent, Alexis (2023) Memory, Time, and Plurality: Reimagining narratives for transformative futures. In: Proceedings of Relating Systems Thinking and Design Volume: RSD12, 06-20 Oct 2023.

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Abstract

Exploring the intricate relationship between memory, time, and plurality offers a profound understanding of how future narratives are constructed. This paper delves into cognitive processes such as episodic foresight, unravelling the mechanisms through which memory facilitates mental time travel and influences our envisioning of diverse futures. By challenging the supremacy of linear time, a concept deeply ingrained in colonial and patriarchal paradigms, we can uncover inherent constraints that exclude diverse narratives.

Drawing upon concepts like revolutionary time and interlocking time zones, this paper advocates for a radical reimagining of narratives that transcends temporal constraints and embraces plurality across past, present, and future. Through examples from popular culture, including the television series Bridgerton and Anne with an E, this paper illustrates the transformative potential of inclusive storytelling in subverting dominant narratives and fostering societal change. Ultimately, the argument is made that by actively remembering and re-embodying pluralism in our collective past, we can forge futures that are inherently more inclusive and diverse.

Item Type:	Conference/Workshop Item (Paper)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	futures, foresight, temporality, time, storytelling, narratives, memory, cognitive science, plurality, past, pop culture, Bridgerton, Anne with an E
Divisions:	Faculty of Design
Date Deposited:	11 Mar 2026 20:52
Last Modified:	11 Mar 2026 21:00
URI:	https://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/4935

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