Pushing the Boundaries
How the Overton window can help us explore new perspectives and unlock personal and societal growth
As the mornings grow lighter here in the UK, I find myself reverting to the routine of waking early to soak in some sunlight and enjoy half an hour of peaceful reading before my kids awaken and create pandemonium in the house.
Recently, I picked up a newly released book, Facing our Futures by Nikolas Badminton. In the first chapter, a long forgotten concept called the Overton Window piqued my interest. I initially encountered the term "Overton window" in 2020 while perusing Jeremy Lent's blog, Patterns of Meaning. This sparked a conversation with an old collaborator, Mike Oliver, in a short-lived Medium experiment titled the Post COVID Conversations.
Have you ever pondered why some ideas that were once deemed extreme become widely accepted, while others that were mainstream lose favour? The Overton window, a concept formulated by Joseph Overton, a former vice president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, can help us comprehend this phenomenon. It outlines the range of policy ideas considered politically feasible at a given moment. A prime example is same-sex marriage, which was once regarded as an extreme notion that fell outside the Overton window, but now enjoys broader acceptance. Other ideas, such as drug legalisation, universal basic income, and a four-day working week, have also shifted within the Overton window over time.
The Overton window, however, is not limited to policy. It can be applied to any range of ideas or concepts deemed acceptable or taboo. When you contemplate the Overton window in this manner, you begin to identify constraints on perceived acceptability everywhere. Have you observed any changes in what is considered appropriate or inappropriate among the people you interact with? This is the Overton window operating in your own life.
We can also apply the Overton Window concept to futures thinking. If we scrutinise the futures cone, we see that the boundary between possible and preposterous futures (referred to as the Clarke Dator boundary) signifies what is deemed acceptable or unacceptable at a specific time. Preposterous futures lie beyond this boundary because they challenge the sensitivities, beliefs, values, and worldviews of the mainstream. The Clarke Dator boundary thus represents a limit on what we currently find acceptable or believe is possible, rather than a rigid constraint imposed by the laws of physics.
By examining these absurd futures with an open mind, we can entertain "what if" scenarios that lie outside the Overton window. This practice can help us identify and question our assumptions, scrutinise our current values and beliefs, broaden our horizons, and even create catalysts for positive change in the present. By exploring a more extensive range of potential futures, we might uncover previously unthought-of opportunities for progress and growth.
On a personal level, we can also apply the Overton Window to how we perceive our own potential. It is fascinating to consider how our beliefs and attitudes influence the boundaries we establish for ourselves and how this can affect our ability to accomplish our objectives.
Intriguingly, the Johari Window, a renowned psychological tool for understanding interpersonal communication, bears some resemblance to the Overton Window.
The Johari Window comprises four quadrants representing different aspects of our personality: the "Open" quadrant, which encompasses aspects of ourselves known to both ourselves and others; the "Blind Spot" quadrant, representing aspects of ourselves unknown to us but apparent to others; the "Hidden" quadrant, including aspects of ourselves that we are aware of but choose not to disclose to others; and the "Unknown" quadrant, representing aspects of ourselves unknown to both ourselves and others, such as our potential, undiscovered talents, and abilities.
By investigating the four quadrants of the Johari Window, individuals can gain a better understanding of themselves and their potential for growth and development. By acknowledging the limitations of the Overton Window, individuals can expand their personal boundaries and explore new ideas and perspectives that might have previously been off-limits.
At the intersection of Futures Thinking, the Johari, and Overton Windows lies the idea of personal and societal awareness and growth that can lead to positive change. By examining our unconscious biases, fears, insecurities, and personal limitations through the Johari Window, we can expand self-awareness and recognise our own potential. By understanding that the Overton Window is not an objective limit, but rather a reflection of the current political climate, we can push the boundaries of what is considered politically viable and explore new policy ideas and perspectives.
Ultimately, by expanding our personal and societal boundaries through these frameworks, we can create triggers for positive change and growth in both ourselves and our communities.
The motivation for starting this blog is to challenge my self, develop my futures thinking muscles and share my explorations and speculations more widely. Recent personal and professional events have helped me realise that I find pleasure in the process of writing. By unveiling this, I hope to connect with others and foster a sense of community exploration and speculation > explorulation.