‘The Manifesto is remarkable for its imaginative power, its expression and grasp of the luminous and dreadful possibilities that pervade modern life’ - Berman, M. All That Is Solid Melts into Air, 1982.

Collectively students, academics and industry worked together to develop an Antifragile Manifesto for Gen Z. Our students were resolute however, this was a manifesto not built on a series of demands, rather a set of values and potential actions inspired by Nicholas Nassim Taleb's philosophy. There is a gentleness and a warmth in these ideas, a grace that seems particular to this particular generation.  

The Anti-fragile Collective: Manifesto

1. We practice active experimentation of thought and action we unfold our identities; we enlarge our comfort zones.
2. We gain a different perspective when we engage with expansive vistas, internal and external.
3. Our rituals pause time, we greet the day with gratitude, we respect our rest and make our beds.
4. We practise philosophy, where the shocks of the new manifest as opportunities for growth.
5. Science and technology help us to meet our full potential.
6. We value the sensuous tonality of voice, the ability to hug and the connection of a shared meal.
7. We take responsibility for each other; Humility and kindness are our code.
8. The Anti-fragile has its own momentum. We celebrate collective energy.
9. We take calculated risks determined upon our principles of courage and curiosity; we remain open-minded to the potential of now.
10. The Anti-fragile is not only about action but also inaction, we resist the race of time.

Pedagogically we worked with the idea of Paulo Freire's ‘thematic investigations’ co-developed between teacher and student. The themes are derived from Alain Badiou’s ‘conditions of truth’ which are Science, Love, Politics and Art. In order to interrogate our contemporary experiences of these themes through a cultural, structural and political lens we worked with trend forecaster and cultural strategist, Miriam Rayman through a series of conscious raising sessions. 

Through these four conditions the student explored notions of identity, their relationships, the risks they feel capable of taking, the power they feel they have, what needs to change, their rights and ideas of inclusivity within the society they exist.