Lock-In, Fixation and the Extinction of Technologies: A Design-Theoretic View of Sustainable Transitions

Abstract

In this viewpoint article we discuss the challenges to achieving sustainability transitions from the perspective of theories of design and of technology. We first introduce the environmental issues that face industrial civilization, noting the differences in viewpoints concerning whether planetary limits are largely insurmountable or if they may be alleviated through human ingenuity. We then give an overview of theoretical perspectives on the nature of technology and of technological change and innovation before discussing the implications of these theoretical perspectives for possible approaches to sustainability transition. In particular, we note the importance of the maturity of technologies and the challenges of increasing technological complexity. We then introduce a selection of theoretical perspectives on the nature of design, before discussing the implications of these, especially the knowledge requirements in identifying feasible transition steps, and the inherent conflict between different viewpoints on planetary limits. We emphasize the risk of fixation and the importance of trade-offs. We conclude by proposing a five-fold set of actions.