Socio-Technical Imagineering and the Future(s) of Civilian Drones

• In Event: Performing Socio-Technical Imaginaries - I

Abstract

This paper investigates socio-technical imagineering - the creation, circulation, negotiation, resistance, and translation of socio-technical imaginaries (STI). While past research tends to investigate STIs as relatively stable manifestations of “state power” (Jasanoff and Kim 2009, 123), we wish to examine the performative efforts of diverse imagineers who envision the development of technology futures - in our case the future of the industry for civilian drones (fully or semi-autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles). We investigate the efforts of firms, consultancies, and other imagineers to map out the actors, and processes of socio-technical imagineering.

Our study is based on qualitative analysis of textual and visual manifestations of socio-technical imagineering (e.g., promotional, media, public policy and consultant material). We outline four processes of socio-technical imagineering: 1) Presencing (relating visions of the future to the present, and establishing their certainty), 2) Concerning (establishing and negotiating concerns related to technology), 3) Prospecting (establishing the prospect of drones as a technology for good, an efficient and transformative technology of endless possibilities), 4) Enjoining (embedding/detaching a particular technology into/from other envisioned futures).

The concept of socio-technical imagineering emphasizes the performativity of STIs, and further bridges the gap between macro-cultural theorizing and accounts of specific practices through which technology futures are envisioned and propagated. The empirical case of civilian drones is of particular interest due to its current political and economic salience in private, public and corporate spheres, and due to the manifold aspirations and controversies surrounding drone technology.

Authors

• Domen Bajde, University of Southern Denmark

• Alev Pinar Kuruoglu, University of Southern Denmark

• Mikkel Nøjgaard, University of Southern Denmark

• Jannek Sommer, University of Southern Denmark