Michiel Schwarz

The meaning of Sustainism

Earlier this year cultural sociologist Michiel Schwarz, together with designer/publisher Joost Elffers, coined the new term ‘Sustainism’ to name the new cultural era of the 21^st century. In their book Sustainism is the New Modernism: A Cultural Manifesto for the Sustainist Era they argue that after modernism and post-modernism we are entering the "age of sustainism," creating a future that brings together sustainability, global connectivity and localism.

The book and the idea of "sustainism" has prompted a great deal of discussion, and received international acclaim. According to Tim Brown, CEO of the American design agency IDEO, “Sustainism will be the driving force of creativity in the 21^st century.”

Since completing his PhD in the politics and sociology of technology at the University of London, Schwarz has worked as a cultural consultant, researcher and producer, and has advised public organizations in the Netherlands and other European countries. He has initiated a wide variety of innovative projects exploring global issues, design, technology and futures, including a series of programmes on technological culture at the Amsterdam-based De Balie centre, and Fabrica, a communication/art/media laboratory funded by Benetton. Among his earlier publications are De Technologische Cultuur, Divided We Stand and Speed: Visions of an Accelerated Age. In 2006, he co-founded The Beach, a network for creative innovation in Amsterdam.