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The Mastership Society

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Societal change, technological innovation and new social relationships are having a huge impact on the way we work. How will these changes affect work in Rotterdam in the coming years? In The Mastership Society, futurologists Edwin Gardner and Christiaan Fruneaux of Studio Monnik explore their vision of the future in a magical panorama of our harbour city.

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Transcript
Welcome everybody to The Mastership Society. My name is Edwin Gardner. Me and my associate Christiaan Fruneaux are Studio Monnik. We research historical trends and develop concepts, and make scenario’s for possible futures. 

The museum commissioned us to develop a vision of what the future of work could look like in the port city of Rotterdam. In our vision we bring together digital technology, craftsmanship and lifelong learning. A world in which working and learning merge together in a structure not unlike the medieval guild, in which apprentices and journeymen aspire to become masters or even grandmasters of their trade. 

The panorama displayed here is a magical depiction of a possible future. It is an invitation for discussion and reflection, because it is by no means certain that this is what the future will look like. Since the shape of the future depends on the choices we make as a society today. For example, if artificial intelligence and robots can do our jobs, will we be out of work, or will we be free to engage with work in new and different ways? 

The Mastership Society is a possible answer: In it we’ve designed machines and laws that enable people to develop a new relationship to work. One that focuses on skills, creativity and personal development. What that looks like? Let me take you on a tour of this wonderful city on the Meuse river.

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