Destinations and maps: A reimagining of neurofuturism
Concepts around neurofuturism have so far been dominated by ideas around using AI and computer technology to enhance the human brain. I feel, however, that the neurodiversity movement is in a unique space to reclaim this term, using it to advance the neurodiversity movement and consider the world we are working towards.
What is neurofuturism?
To my mind, the following is the truth of the matter. Neurofuturism is a radical imagining of a world in which the neurodiversity movement has succeeded. Neurofuturism allows us to picture the destination so as to make it easier to map the route there.
As part of this, we also have to consider what we will do when we arrive at our destination. Do we allow the dust to settle? Should we hang up our armour and sheath our swords? Do we settle in the space we have created? The concept invites us to consider not just our current fight for equitable treatment but also what the next part of our saga might look like.
Building on Self-advocacy and the Chaotic Self
There are two core principles that form the foundations of neurofuturism.
- In the same way that self-advocates can guide newcomers through experiences they have had themselves because they have reached a destination in their life; so too can we advance the neurodiversity movement towards it’s goal by radically imagining what that goal may look like.
- The nature of the Self is one of chaos. It changes over time with each interaction with its environment. The neurodiversity movement can also be viewed as a Chaotic Self or a constantly growing and evolving organism. The destination we imagine will change and evolve with us as we work towards it.
Further thoughts on the principles of neurofuturism
As the organism of the neurodiversity movement grows and evolves, so too must our goals. As goals shift and change, we must adjust the route we take. Neurofuturism rejects a hierarchical approach to the knowledge and aims of the neurodiversity movement, and instead embraces a neuroanarchistic approach of forward motion outside of identity politics.
The nature of the neurodiversity movement is perpetual motion under these principles. Stagnation is the death of liberty. Rather than solely bring newcomers into our fold, we must leap towards a future of infinite possibility, restricted only by what we can imagine that future to be.
Concluding thoughts
Neurofuturism is by it’s nature not a pursuit of isolation. It requires the understanding and balancing of all goals, all needs, and an uncoupling from dogmatic approaches to advocacy. It asks us the question “what if..?” While also helping us to define “how?”
We are able to explore the shifting goal of our future by building on the knowledge that has come before whilst retaining a critical mind. Neurofuturism is the reparenting of a movement with the goal of birthing a paradigm shift.
Footnote
Neuroanarchy as a concept was created by Katie Minday, their original definition can be found by clicking here.
