Creative Adventures — 10

Imagine You Can See An Object’s Entire History

How Would You Use This Superpower?

In this exercise, imagine that you have a special power: You can see the whole history of an artifact. Artifacts can be a major part of understanding the depths of history.

Please respond to the following questions:

1. Think of three critical objects that you wish to explore — imagine you can view the entire history of these objects. Which objects would you choose? Why?
2. Choose a controversial or a much-contested artifact now. Imagine you can witness the entire history of that artifact. Write a story about this artifact. Try to incorporate its complexity by considering different stakeholders, perspectives, meanings, multiplicity, or conflict.
3. Choose another artifact now which might shed new light on history. Let’s say there is an accepted view or historical understanding on this subject. Imagine that your artifact will challenge this understanding with shocking revelations. What could these be? How can you rewrite history? Create a story around this topic.
4. Please choose another artifact now. Your task is to create an original Netflix documentary on this artifact and its history using your superpower. What would you create? What is the title of this documentary? Write down a synopsis of this documentary.
5. How can you make money using this superpower? Please think of three ways to be rich by using this superpower.
6. Imagine that you have created a YouTube channel where you are showcasing this new superpower of yours. What would be the title of your YouTube channel? What kind of videos would you create? What would be your strategy for capturing attention and achieving growth?
7. Create a story about the unexpected consequences of using this superpower. What happens? How do you deal with it? Write down a short story.
8. Think of three dangers or evils that might arise from irresponsible use of this power.
9. Imagine that you are a museum curator. How would you use your super-power to help your museum? What kind of stories would you tell using your selected artifacts? How? Create some ideas and strategies.
10. Imagine you can retrieve the history of objects which are forgotten, broken, harmed, or lost forever. Imagine three such objects you can retrieve from remnants or fragments. Create three stories around these objects. What are these objects? Why are they significant? How were they lost? How will you retrieve them? How will you change history using your power?
11. Create your own questions and imagination experiments using this theme and its variations.

Fahri Karakas is the author of the Self-making Studio. You can explore more here.