112 Chapter 4 Apart from these examples, there was least attention for and interest in the performative power that imaginations of the future have over action in the present in the F4F network. Summarizing the conceptions of the future across the Foresight4Food participants, they predominantly worked with plausible futures, and also with probable and plural futures, including in a number of hybrid forms. A critical lens viewing futures as performative in a societal context was rarely applied. 4.4.2. Ultimate aims The framework identifies four diverse ultimate aims: reducing future risks, navigating diverse futures more reflexively, co-creating more (radically) transformative futures and shed light on the political implications of futures. Just like with the first dimension (conceptions of the future), most projects in our case study were reported to pursue multiple ultimate aims for engaging with the future. More than half of the participants (13 out of 24) identified three or more ultimate aims. The versatile projects consolidate aims spanning the entire continuum of perspectives identified in the framework (Table 4.1); ranging from risk reduction (Approach 1) to shedding light on political implications of future claims (Approaches 4). In contrast to conceptions of the future, viewpoints regarding ultimate aims were quite evenly distributed: ‘reducing future risks’ was mentioned 12 times, ‘navigating diverse futures’ also 12 times, ‘co-creating new futures’ 10 times and ‘shedding light on political implications’ 9 times. Reducing risk involved in future food systems is a core aim for many projects, and almost always mentioned in conjunction with the aim of reflexively navigating diverse futures (Approach 2, e.g. Poseidon project), and the aim of co-creating new (and more transformative) futures (Approach 3, e.g. ERRAMP), and/or by the aim of shedding light on political implications (Approach 4, e.g. Sentinel). Only two participants identified futures risks reduction (e.g. of food insecurities and natural resource depletion) as the sole aim (LEAP and MAGNET). Reflexively navigating diverse futures is another core aim. It was seen as, amongst others, part of a process in which policy makers can be cautioned of plausible future changes, and also have a deliberative and reflexive process that introduces citizens to innovative new approaches, technologies and practices that are not yet so well-known and attains their buy-in for new policy measures (e.g. Farmers of the Future). Only one project identified the reflexive navigation of diverse futures as the sole aim. This project, IMPRESSIONS, explored the effects of extreme high-end scenarios (+4 degrees global warming and tipping points) in order to stimulate reflexivity in policy instruments and plans by taking such extremes into account.
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