Designing Technical Systems in The Anthropocene: Manifesto for a New Paradigm

Abstract

The RASSCAS Laboratory (Applied Research in Social Sciences to Design a Sustainable Anthropocene) is a human sciences laboratory based in a digital engineering school. The idea of this laboratory is to guide engineering students towards models of design and innovation that respond both to the ethical desires of this young generation and to the need for responsible innovation imposed by the context of access to development that is fair for mankind and sustainable for life and the planet. This article is first and foremost a profession of faith, that of researchers who have decided to commit themselves to the path of development that respects life. It is also a call to become aware of the need to modify traditional design models. It’s a call for a paradigm shift from anthropocentric models to one that gives equal place to human and non-human living beings.