Drawing inspiration from debates surrounding deep-fake realities, AI-driven propaganda, and the increasing fragmentation of political subcultures, in this workshop Clusterduck aims to utilize the “political compass” meme.

This widely popular internet meme, typically employed for humorous or satirical purposes, visually depicts economic and social ideologies on a two-dimensional graph. Originally rooted in a questionnaire format where individuals respond to a series of questions to ascertain their political inclinations, this workshop hosted by Clusterduck will guide participants in employing the meme as a tool to generate collective visions of the future for artivism and politics amid the profound uncertainties of our era.

Through a collective deep-dive session, participants will be guided to create their own iteration of the “Hyperstitional Compass” meme— a version of the political compass modified by Clusterduck. Its axes reflect hopes, fears, and doubts about upcoming futures. This concept aligns with the notion of hyperstition, originally developed by the renowned CCRU (Cybernetic Culture Research Unit) during their active years at Warwick University in the 1990s. At its core, hyperstition can be understood as “self-fulfilling prophecies,” but it also encompasses a broader examination of how our representations of future scenarios impact our ability to effectuate change in the present. It serves as a crucial reminder of the multiplicity of speculative futures and the significance of nurturing utopian thinking.