Seizing the future as a cultural commons
with Louis Volont
In this episode, we discover the inspiring story of Future Wilhelmsburg, a resident organization that is shaping their own narrative of the future, turning it into a cultural commons that reflects their collective aspirations. Joined by guest Louis Volont (HafenCity University, Germany), we'll dive into the sociological principles that underpin their efforts through Laurent Thévenot’s model of commonality, highlighting how these activists are mobilizing public arguments, identifying collective pathways, and fostering a deep emotional connection to their territory.
Episode based on the article
The Future as a Cultural Commons: Grammars of Commonality in Crisis‐Ridden Wilhelmsburg
By Louis Volont
Podcast Version
About the Speaker
Louis Volont explores the modern metropolis through a cultural‐sociological lens. He was previously a Fulbright Fellow at MIT’s Program in Art, Culture, and Technology, where he collaborated on the Choreographing the City project. He is a postdoc in sociology at Hamburg’s HafenCity University and teaches classical sociology at the University of Antwerp. His work looks at the cultural, temporal, and moral dimensions of urban life.