REAL – Reimagining algorithmic futures: 63 cards for thinking differently about algorithmic systems

<p dir="ltr"><b>REAL</b> (REimagining ALgorithmic futures) is a card deck designed to inspire and provoke thinking about algorithmic systems and how they shape human lives, society and potential futures. The cards aim to stimulate thinking and conversations about the values embedded in algorithmic systems, as well as their social and technological implications. They advocate for a more inclusive dialogue concerning varied algorithmic futures.</p><p dir="ltr">The deck is built around a series of keywords: <i>threshold, steering, codability, replacement, responsibility, repair, </i>and<i> friction</i>. Each keyword has a set of nine cards associated with it: a title card, which features the keyword and its definition, and eight cards featuring questions designed to prompt refection and discussion. The questions are designed to work with a specific case or example of an algorithmic system.</p><p dir="ltr">The REAL card deck can be used by experts, critics, developers, analysts, consultants, students, and researchers. The cards are suitable for group interactions, workshops, or for working individually. They can serve various purposes, for example research, design and development or strategy processes, or teaching.</p><p dir="ltr">While there is no right or wrong way to use the cards, we provide several concrete ideas for working with them in the associated booklet.</p><p dir="ltr">The attachments provide more information on the REAL card deck and instructions on how to use it, an overview of the deck contents, and a file for printing out the deck:</p><ul><li><b>Start here: </b>The file <i>1. REAL booklet</i> contains a full description of the card deck, several ideas for using the cards in groups or individually, as well as explanations for each of the seven keywords.</li><li><b>Get to know the cards: </b>The file <i>2. REAL cards for viewing</i> provides an overview of the keywords, all question cards, and the design. Note: this file is not designed for printing the card deck!</li><li><b>Prepare</b><b> your </b><b>own deck</b><b>: </b>The file <i>3. REAL </i><i>cards </i><i>for printing</i> can be printed out with a normal office printer. Cut the cards from the printout and you'll have your own REAL card deck.</li></ul><p dir="ltr">Suggestions for preparing the REAL card deck:</p><ul><li>Two-sided printing, using the print settings <i>long edge binding</i><i>, 100% scaling, </i>and<i> no margins</i><i> </i>will create a neat printout for cutting out two-sided cards.</li><li>We recommend colour printing, but the cards will also work when printed black-and-white.</li><li>Cut the cards out with scissors, or a sharp craft knife and a ruler. If you have access to a paper trimmer/guillotine, using it can make things easier.</li><li>If two-sided printing is not feasible, you can print the cards one-sided. Either cut out only the front (text) sides and use them with blank backgrounds, or cut out all cards and paste the front and back sides together.</li></ul><p dir="ltr"><i>The REAL card deck was designed as part of the Reimagine ADM project by Tuukka Lehtiniemi, Maiju Tanninen, David Moats, Elisa Elhadj, Maria Eidenskog, Veera Koskinen, Dorthe Brogård Kristensen, Perle Møhl, Ajda Pretnar Žagar, Minna Ruckenstein, and Julia Velkova</i></p><p dir="ltr"><i>Contact: Tuukka Lehtiniemi, </i><a href="http://tuukka.lehtiniemi@helsinki.fi" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank"><i>tuukka.lehtiniemi@iki.fi</i></a><i>, </i><a href="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9737-3414" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank"><i>https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9737-3414</i></a></p><p dir="ltr"><i>Graphic design by Studio Kiss / Tuija Tarkiainen, Parisa Khojasteh</i></p>