The golden age of sci-fi was filled with utopian visions the future. These days, when sci-fi creators project ahead several decades, the world is looking a lot more dystopian. But there is a group of artists who believe that a better tomorrow is possible if we can imagine it first. Architects are finding that science fiction can be a great way to understand how their buildings will adapt to a rapidly changing world. I talk with architect and Texas Tech professor Jes Deaver about why she thinks sci-fi can inspire her students to not only think outside the literal box, but to have more empathy. Liam Young explains why he created a program at SCI-Arc to train architects who want to work in fictional or virtual worlds. And author Thomas R. Weaver discusses how he enrolled a city planner to build a pitch deck for a colony spaceship, and why floating cities may not be the best solution to climate change.

This episode is sponsored by The Perfect Jean, Audible and Hims.

• Go to theperfectjean.nyc and get 15% off your first order when you use the code IMAGINARY15 at checkout.
• Go to audible.com/sunrise and listen to the audiobook of Listen to Sunrise on the Reaping.
• Start your free online visit today at Hims.com/IMAGINARY

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices