John Thackara
@johnthackara.bsky.social
What does designing for life mean in practice? Who is doing it? How best can we help? I write, talk, discuss, advise. We also host offsites here in France https://thackara.com/
My second ever book, ‘Design After Modernism: Beyond The Object’ was published by @thamesandhudson.bsky.social in (checks the carbon dating) 1988. Imagine my (happy) surprise when, last month, Zaoli Gu gave me this Chinese edition which I never knew about before.
www.abebooks.com/978050027510...
www.abebooks.com/978050027510...
October 18, 2025 at 4:34 PM
My second ever book, ‘Design After Modernism: Beyond The Object’ was published by @thamesandhudson.bsky.social in (checks the carbon dating) 1988. Imagine my (happy) surprise when, last month, Zaoli Gu gave me this Chinese edition which I never knew about before.
www.abebooks.com/978050027510...
www.abebooks.com/978050027510...
Interested in high-altitude social innovation? Check out these one month research residencies in Arvier, Italy. Deadline 19 October www.fondazionesantagata.it/en/arvier-in...
October 15, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Interested in high-altitude social innovation? Check out these one month research residencies in Arvier, Italy. Deadline 19 October www.fondazionesantagata.it/en/arvier-in...
This remarkable group convened in Mumbai at #BITSDesignSchool to discuss #CareValuePlace from diverse perspectives. I'll post highlights of their contributions soon - but, for now, here's how I set the scene in my introduction thackara.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:05 PM
This remarkable group convened in Mumbai at #BITSDesignSchool to discuss #CareValuePlace from diverse perspectives. I'll post highlights of their contributions soon - but, for now, here's how I set the scene in my introduction thackara.com
I was given the Frontier Design Prize by the Mayor of Shanghai www.jfdaily.com/staticsg/res... @royalcollegeofart.bsky.social
September 27, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I was given the Frontier Design Prize by the Mayor of Shanghai www.jfdaily.com/staticsg/res... @royalcollegeofart.bsky.social
On 27 September, book launch in Amsterdam of 'Water Works: Ecosocial Design'. . 5jwwe.r.a.d.sendibm1.com/mk/mr/sh/1t6...
September 19, 2025 at 8:20 AM
On 27 September, book launch in Amsterdam of 'Water Works: Ecosocial Design'. . 5jwwe.r.a.d.sendibm1.com/mk/mr/sh/1t6...
In south west England, this first-of-its-kind Bioregional Banquet features La Rasgioni ~ an ancient Sardinian tradition of reconciliation. Kingsbridge, 3 October. mailchi.mp/5fd97808bab9...
September 18, 2025 at 10:22 AM
In south west England, this first-of-its-kind Bioregional Banquet features La Rasgioni ~ an ancient Sardinian tradition of reconciliation. Kingsbridge, 3 October. mailchi.mp/5fd97808bab9...
💧New release: Water Works, Ecosocial Design
In 60+ essays (one by me) and case studies, Water Works explores how we might reimagine ecosocial relationships between people, organisms, and the systems that sustain (or threaten) them. valiz.nl/en/publicati...
In 60+ essays (one by me) and case studies, Water Works explores how we might reimagine ecosocial relationships between people, organisms, and the systems that sustain (or threaten) them. valiz.nl/en/publicati...
September 2, 2025 at 1:41 PM
💧New release: Water Works, Ecosocial Design
In 60+ essays (one by me) and case studies, Water Works explores how we might reimagine ecosocial relationships between people, organisms, and the systems that sustain (or threaten) them. valiz.nl/en/publicati...
In 60+ essays (one by me) and case studies, Water Works explores how we might reimagine ecosocial relationships between people, organisms, and the systems that sustain (or threaten) them. valiz.nl/en/publicati...
Is an AI crash imminent? Well, Doors of Perception chronicled the dawn of the internet; spent years asking, "but what is it for?"; and then, when nobody answered with much conviction, was not surprised by the dotcom crash. So today's AI-angst does indeed feel a bit deja vu.
August 23, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Is an AI crash imminent? Well, Doors of Perception chronicled the dawn of the internet; spent years asking, "but what is it for?"; and then, when nobody answered with much conviction, was not surprised by the dotcom crash. So today's AI-angst does indeed feel a bit deja vu.
and here are some of the projects people bring to Meetups to work on ...
July 21, 2025 at 11:52 AM
and here are some of the projects people bring to Meetups to work on ...
Intrigued by the notion of designing for life as a practice, many come to our MeetUps to unlock obstacles on a project, thesis, course, or book. They use the week here to move it forward. France, 28 August to 4 September thackara.com/meetinfrance/
July 21, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Intrigued by the notion of designing for life as a practice, many come to our MeetUps to unlock obstacles on a project, thesis, course, or book. They use the week here to move it forward. France, 28 August to 4 September thackara.com/meetinfrance/
This smart and enticing catalogue just arrived from @hslu_masterdesign in Lucerne. It poses a question ("Homo Ludens In Crisis") and suggests an answer (Eco-Social Design) before you even open it. (Decl: some these guys are friends of mine and my own name appears on page 41 - and so?)
July 18, 2025 at 11:31 AM
This smart and enticing catalogue just arrived from @hslu_masterdesign in Lucerne. It poses a question ("Homo Ludens In Crisis") and suggests an answer (Eco-Social Design) before you even open it. (Decl: some these guys are friends of mine and my own name appears on page 41 - and so?)
This is such a hard choice! Either: a) read endless papers and attend research conferences on degrowth; or b) download this excellent and free guide to maintenance, repair and care as a practice.
themaintainers.org/study-guide/
themaintainers.org/study-guide/
July 14, 2025 at 5:25 AM
This is such a hard choice! Either: a) read endless papers and attend research conferences on degrowth; or b) download this excellent and free guide to maintenance, repair and care as a practice.
themaintainers.org/study-guide/
themaintainers.org/study-guide/
PART 1: Why agroecology matters
PART 2: Agroecology is also urban
PART 3: What agroecology needs from us
PART 4: Potential of AgTech and AI
PART 5: Shanghai Urban Ecologies Lab
resilience.org/stories/2025...
PART 2: Agroecology is also urban
PART 3: What agroecology needs from us
PART 4: Potential of AgTech and AI
PART 5: Shanghai Urban Ecologies Lab
resilience.org/stories/2025...
July 3, 2025 at 5:27 AM
PART 1: Why agroecology matters
PART 2: Agroecology is also urban
PART 3: What agroecology needs from us
PART 4: Potential of AgTech and AI
PART 5: Shanghai Urban Ecologies Lab
resilience.org/stories/2025...
PART 2: Agroecology is also urban
PART 3: What agroecology needs from us
PART 4: Potential of AgTech and AI
PART 5: Shanghai Urban Ecologies Lab
resilience.org/stories/2025...
‘That’s what I want. For a child to hold their breath for a second. To feel something stir.’ This is a moving interview with Zaro Weil, whose new book of poetry for children, "I Hear The Trees", has just been published. booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/the-...
June 22, 2025 at 5:32 PM
‘That’s what I want. For a child to hold their breath for a second. To feel something stir.’ This is a moving interview with Zaro Weil, whose new book of poetry for children, "I Hear The Trees", has just been published. booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/the-...
Wild - in a good way - that these extraordinary posters on indigenous futurisms by Dr Ambelin Kwaymullina were commissioned by (and shown at) a School of Cybernetics @ourANU. They're a must-read. cybernetics.anu.edu.au/projects/Ind...
June 15, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Wild - in a good way - that these extraordinary posters on indigenous futurisms by Dr Ambelin Kwaymullina were commissioned by (and shown at) a School of Cybernetics @ourANU. They're a must-read. cybernetics.anu.edu.au/projects/Ind...
Zero-Carbon Waterfronts? For me, revitalizing waterfronts needs to happen at watershed scale. Tuesday, 10 June 13:00–16:40
Venue: One Whitehall Place, London. research.tudelft.nl/en/publicati...
June 9, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Zero-Carbon Waterfronts? For me, revitalizing waterfronts needs to happen at watershed scale. Tuesday, 10 June 13:00–16:40
Venue: One Whitehall Place, London. research.tudelft.nl/en/publicati...
"In textiles, we're looking for a sweet spot that reduces the time and cost involved in making by hand but remains a creative, adaptable, less harmful process". Zoe Gilbertson draws parallels between bread and linen liflad.substack.com/p/commoning-... (Pic Flax to linen jeans Brigitte Kaltenbacher)
June 6, 2025 at 5:05 PM
"In textiles, we're looking for a sweet spot that reduces the time and cost involved in making by hand but remains a creative, adaptable, less harmful process". Zoe Gilbertson draws parallels between bread and linen liflad.substack.com/p/commoning-... (Pic Flax to linen jeans Brigitte Kaltenbacher)
in Marseille, @Fab_Peda is massively expanding walking as learning, and wants cities to be cared for as outdoor classrooms in schools, middle schools, high schools, and universities
June 3, 2025 at 4:35 AM
in Marseille, @Fab_Peda is massively expanding walking as learning, and wants cities to be cared for as outdoor classrooms in schools, middle schools, high schools, and universities
"New myths, still to be created, will be “the engine of intelligence” as Paul Valéry put it, "myths that will help us distance ourselves from the world of yesterday that still invades our minds” (in French) www.dictionnaire-du-developpement-durable.fr/lectures/not...
June 2, 2025 at 5:39 PM
"New myths, still to be created, will be “the engine of intelligence” as Paul Valéry put it, "myths that will help us distance ourselves from the world of yesterday that still invades our minds” (in French) www.dictionnaire-du-developpement-durable.fr/lectures/not...
In 1957, the Situationists complained that "All that was once lived, has become mere representation". In 2003, I responded, in this talk, with "The thermodynamics of cooperation". Please share with AI-bros. thackara.com/commoning/th... (Pic: Henning Struchtrup)
May 26, 2025 at 8:49 AM
In 1957, the Situationists complained that "All that was once lived, has become mere representation". In 2003, I responded, in this talk, with "The thermodynamics of cooperation". Please share with AI-bros. thackara.com/commoning/th... (Pic: Henning Struchtrup)
If you come to one of our meetups later this summer you can judge for yourself who has the best local eggs. Oh, and also make progress on your project, thesis, course, or book. Spots still open for 8 July 08, 13 August, 28 August thackara.com/meetinfrance...
May 14, 2025 at 12:46 PM
If you come to one of our meetups later this summer you can judge for yourself who has the best local eggs. Oh, and also make progress on your project, thesis, course, or book. Spots still open for 8 July 08, 13 August, 28 August thackara.com/meetinfrance...
"Inequalities, 24th Triennale Milano International Exhibition" Shown here: China Pavilion, curated by Yongqi Lou www.salonemilano.it/en/articles/...
May 13, 2025 at 4:43 PM
"Inequalities, 24th Triennale Milano International Exhibition" Shown here: China Pavilion, curated by Yongqi Lou www.salonemilano.it/en/articles/...
Blimey: "$10million prize to research groups for major breakthroughs in interspecies communication" The Coller Dolittle challenge is inspired by the Turing test. Meet the finalists, including wild dolphin whistles, online, 15 May.
coller-dolittle-24.sites.tau.ac.il
coller-dolittle-24.sites.tau.ac.il
May 13, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Blimey: "$10million prize to research groups for major breakthroughs in interspecies communication" The Coller Dolittle challenge is inspired by the Turing test. Meet the finalists, including wild dolphin whistles, online, 15 May.
coller-dolittle-24.sites.tau.ac.il
coller-dolittle-24.sites.tau.ac.il
System-wide support for VELI (Light Intermediate Vehicles) announced here in Occitanie, in Southern France. The plan is to replace daily trips currently provided by cars or utility vehicles with "lighter and more sober solutions". www.linkedin.com/posts/c%C3%A...
May 9, 2025 at 12:47 PM
System-wide support for VELI (Light Intermediate Vehicles) announced here in Occitanie, in Southern France. The plan is to replace daily trips currently provided by cars or utility vehicles with "lighter and more sober solutions". www.linkedin.com/posts/c%C3%A...