4.3 Presence in the future sub-system

This chapter is the continuation of 1.3, where the future ST sub-system was described. Here, some more details of this system will be covered.

How will the technologies be embedded in culture and behaviour?

In the future we can imagine the “teach your own” sub-system harmonically integrated to the socio-technical context of Texel. It is easy for Students to be adapted in new technologies; every new generation that is growing up into a more technologically advanced environment becomes directly quite familiar with them. Teachers however may be experiencing difficulties in getting used to them, resulting in possible dissatisfaction and affecting the way the new system is embedded in their everyday life.

Local projects that promote sustainability and familiarize the students with certain professional fields, will be a significant part of the Texelaars culture. As it will more analytically explained in the proposal, every different subsystem which the group of the course are working on (e.g.“Live with the sea” or “Go-emission free”). Events related to these projects will be held throughout the year on the island, having educational, informative and recreational character for the Texelaars. They will form a common space where all the residents can be informed on how the findings of the project can benefit them, contribute to certain decisions that affect the island and their lives, a space where they can gather and enjoy themselves. We imagine those events creating strong bonds and unique cultural identity.

Lastly, a realistic observation regarding how the new subsystem will be embedded in the culture and behavior of the Texelaars, is that transitions are not always welcome. Change sometimes implies uncertainty; people are skeptical about everything “new” and unknown. This can be even more intense in closed and small communities, such as Texel’s community, which up until now have been functioning in their own rhythm and way. We are aware of the fact that designing for the people without the people of Texel will inevitably lead to failure and we have already experienced how negative and suspicious can people become (our effort to approach the chair of the Texel’s Highschool did not have the expected results). Their needs and their opinion must be taken into account before deciding on any intervention strategies and a common ground between ideas and reality has to be found during our visit to the island. Getting Texelaars to understand the rules, the purpose and the necessity of a new system, will make them more positive towards the intervention strategies.