Making an Almanac

Abstract

This chapter employs critical design practice to examine a specific form in the history of prediction—almanacs—and ultimately interrogates the nature of current forms of algorithmic prediction. The chapter revolves around the concept of monism—the idea that the same universal laws govern both natural and social worlds—and focuses on the role monism plays in predictions within almanac publications. It draws on empirical evidence from the Monistic Almanac—an ongoing practice-based research project which revisits the almanac as a site for experiments across the blurry boundary between data science and astrology—in order to conceptualize almanacs as precursors to the current regime of algorithmic prediction. The chapter experiments with computational astrologies and reflects upon the diagrammatic operations of data science. Benqué argues that divination opens up opportunities for critical design practice to question the authority of current notions of predictions.