According to Vipin (2023), future palaeontologists will treat fossil discoveries of unusual animals like priceless old photo albums, affording insights into a world that once existed. From dinosaur bones to marine shells, fossils document the earth’s vast past. However, have we considered that, in addition to biological fossils, the future “new fossils” could be plastic garbage and electronic fertilizers, which will serve as permanent marks of human activity? If the outcomes of design are destined to become “future fossils,” should we reconsider design’s significant impact on time, ecology, and society? This is something I had never realized before, yet it is extremely significant.
Encyclopædia Britannica. Available at: https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/archaeology/352775 (Accessed: 02 December 2024).
The short-sighted trend of modern design has imposed a significant environmental cost on the earth. Based on Rahm-Skageby and Rahm (2022), planned phase-out prioritizes short-term economic aims while also resulting in long-term geological and ecological difficulties that are unrelated to the initial product design or usage. This short-term perspective ignores the long-term effects of design decisions on the geological record. So it’s critical to reconsider how to leave evidence of coexistence with nature. Only with a sense of responsibility for the future can design really cohabit with the environment.
I indicate “future fossils” as evidence of human activity in our current period that have long-term ecological consequences, such as microplastics, abandoned electronics, and architectural ruins. These artefacts may survive with natural fossils throughout geological time, and they may even become the subject of future archaeologists’ research, warning future societies about the standards of our ecological behavior.
Future fossils (no date) ECAL. Available at: https://ecal.ch/en/feed/projects/6972/future-fossils/ (Accessed: 02 December 2024).
Quharrison (2022) Technofossils are future fossils that tell the human story (technosphere), QuHarrison Terry. Available at: https://quharrison.com/technofossils-technosphere/ (Accessed: 02 December 2024).
If modern design can be changed in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly path, the benefits will be long-lasting. By enhancing design, we may lessen negative geological impressions while also including more sustainable materials and circular economy items in the geological record. This will aid in the development of more successful cases of human and nature synergies for future generations’ solutions, much as present humans seek inspiration from natural design. For example, mycelium material has appeared in recent years. Mycelium materials have lately emerged as an innovative alternative to typical plastics and concrete. The material is completely biodegradable and has no negative environmental impact at the end of its life cycle. However, there are still issues to be resolved. For instance, Lingam (2023) discovered that the dispersion of JG data revealed that mycelium development was not homogeneous in all situations. As a result, the general routes for this material remain limited, and its durability and production costs require improvement. Such future fossils are significant. There is hope that they will persist in tackling issues with these recordings in the future.
Kortman, L. (2020) Mycelium: The plastic of the future?, StrawbyStraw. Available at: https://strawbystraw.com/blogs/features/mycelium-the-plastic-of-the-future (Accessed: 02 December 2024).
Bonnefin, I. (no date) Emerging materials: Mycelium brick, Certified Energy. Available at: https://www.certifiedenergy.com.au/emerging-materials/emerging-materials-mycelium-brick (Accessed: 02 December 2024).
The fossil of the future is not just a symbol of our neglect but also a reflection of our innovation. If today’s design leaves future archaeologists wondering, “Is this waste or an art form?” Then everything we do today is meaningful. Design must not only tackle current problems but also lay the groundwork for the future. It is an option that can carry ecological responsibility while also inspiring future generations to be creative. After all, who would not want future generations to look back on our work with awe?
Bibliography：
1.Lingam, D. et al. (2023) ‘Engineered mycelium-based composite materials: Comprehensive study of various properties and applications’, Construction and Building Materials, 391, p. 131841. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.131841.
2.Rahm-Skågeby, J. and Rahm, L. (2022) ‘Design and deep entanglements’, Interactions, 29(1), pp. 72–76. doi:10.1145/3502279.
3.Vipin Govind Vipin Govind A is a doctoral researcher in Earth Sciences from Pondicherry University. His primary focus is on studying the effects of climate change (2023) What story will the fossils of today tell future generations about us and our planet?, ScienceABC. Available at: https://www.scienceabc.com/nature/what-story-will-the-fossils-of-today-tell-future-generations-about-us-and-our-planet.html/ (Accessed: 02 December 2024).
