1. Utopian Vision: Building Community through Knowledge
Clara Dorfi and David Waite

2. Problem Statement Definition Goals Workshop Proposal Conclusion
Outline
Problem Statement
Definition
Goals
Workshop
Proposal
Conclusion

3. Problem
Statement

4. Automation is changing the economic landscape and jobs are beginning to disappear as a result.
How do people learn from each other and become flexible learners in a world in which institutions of higher learning are becoming irrelevant?
Disparity in socio-economic background and increased use of technology has cultivated a divided population.
How can we encourage people to know their community better and develop an attitude of collective empathy?
Problem Statement

5. Definition

6. Definition A network of skill sharing organized at the local level.
A government agency will use an algorithm to match people together with others in and out of their disciplines.
People will learn new skills continuously throughout their lives, and make personal connections from people from various backgrounds.
Definition

7. Historical Context
The Internet of Things (Enables the sharing of anything with anyone from anywhere); i.e: Khan Academy, Meetup, Skillshare.com, etc.
United States: Jury Duty (compulsory civic duty) Some countries, like Israel, have mandatory conscription services (i.e. military service)
Manufacturing towns (coal mining, etc.)
Apprenticeships

8. New Problems Near Term Long Term
occasional crime (some will take advantage)
rejection/protest; surplus of skilled workers (maybe not enough demand)
accountability
understanding the landscape of the labor economy and any gaps in skills
would just begin to gather data/statistics
attitude/culture change (people are more empathetic and think of others’ well-being)
more consistent socio-economic status among population (less income inequality)

9. Desirability Feasibility Achievability
A world where everyone is empathetic towards others.
An economy where we can experience the benefits of automation without the loss of jobs.
People make time in their lives to interact with strangers and learn from them.
The learning of skills and knowledge is an integral and accepted part of society.
Government bureau that organizes skill sharing.
Voluntary participation, but encouraged by government and employers because of long term economic and social benefits

10. Goals

11. Immediate
Testing small-scale models of our system with different groups of people to determine its broad appeal; speak with government experts about the feasibility of an institutional framework

12. Near term
Initiation: a small, tight-knit community able to prove that a program like this works in their community
Social: Disrupting comfort of higher social classes; creating skepticism in lower social classes (pre-existing tensions and perceptions of the other will make the program slow-moving at first)
Political: Balancing conflicting political interests (proving feasibility to different political
factions in order to have a better chance at garnering support)
Economic: Determining how to finance the program through city budgeting, taxation, state/federal grants, etc.

13. Long term
Creation of a new government department (“Local department of SkillShare,” “Skillshare Management,” “Department of Socialization”)
Attitude/cultural change
Adaptable, self-sufficient communities

14. Workshop

15. 1 2 3
Workshop

16. Workshop

18. Positive Feedback Obstacles Observations
Concerns over accountability/ lack of preparation
Lack of compatibility
Different ways of learning and teaching
Excitement about the social development aspect
Good way to build community and bring people together
People connect over shared interests and curiosities
Prompts and thought starters are helpful in spurring conversation

19. Proposal

21. DIY Pop up Public Space Repurposed structures in public spaces
Branded, easily recognizable
Provides most basic assets to put on a workshop
Connects to the “Workshop” app- users can see where pop up workshops are active and have the choice to attend in person or tune in to a live broadcast

22. What next? Putting on consistent and organized “pop up” workshops
Have enough people doing this that it reaches a government level
Begin to engage in conversations with local governments to try something like this on a small but official scale.
Encourage thought within communities about skills and skill sharing
Collecting information and data about skills from voluntary participants
Working on an algorithm that makes pairings.

23. Questions?