at the heart of RADAR's work is our ever-growing Signal Garden - where our community of curious humans tracks how futures are emerging (or unraveling) in the world. it's not just a collection of links; it's a living, breathing platform for collective discovery, sense making, and discussion about what's next.
as we wrote in The Curious Human's Field Guide to the Future, a signal is "a clue that makes you stop and wonder." It can be anything â a news article, a research paper, a thread, a product launch, a work of art, a TikTok trend. the key is that it sparks your curiosity about how the world might be changing.
and as our Signal Bingo card reminds us, a good signal can take all sorts of shapes.
it might involve:
ð a new context for a familiar form
ðĪ an unexpected collaboration
ð a local twists on a global trend
ð a new purpose for an old thing
ð§Đ a remix of a familiar idea
ð a subtle (or not-so-subtle) rebellion
ð a cultural fusion
ð a new rituals or tradition
ðĪ an interesting juxtaposition
signals aren't just about novelty â they're clues that everyday life is shifting in ways that could point to larger changes on the horizon. a source doesn't have to be hot off the presses to be part of the story of a signal.
spotting signals is all about honing your attention and noticing what others might miss. it's about slowing down, getting curious, and looking at the world with fresh eyes.
a few tips from our Field Guide:
take off your goggles of habit and see the world anew
fill your life with inspiration from many sources
make time for meandering and exploring without a specific destination
notice what surprises you and investigate further
the more you practice close looking, the more signals you'll discover - and the richer our collective garden will grow.
on a world of information overload, tending the Signal Garden is as much about what we tune out as what we tune in. we're not aiming for exhaustive coverage of every possible signal â we're practicing the art of noticing what matters most. the goal isn't to keep the garden at Inbox Zero â it's to cultivate curiosity and connection over time.
so as you explore, remember:
ð it's okay to mute channels or conversations that don't resonate
ðŋ focus on quality over quantity â a few rich signals beat a barrage of noise
ð§ take breaks when you need to â the garden will still be here
the most meaningful signals are the ones that truly catch your attention and make you think. trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to let the rest flow by.
ready to start contributing? here's how:
1ïļâĢ find something that catches your eye and makes you wonder about the future
2ïļâĢ share the link (or image, or video, you get it) in the relevant Signal Garden channel
3ïļâĢ add your thoughts on why it matters and what it might mean
4ïļâĢ use the forum to keep the conversation going and build on each other's ideas
signals aren't just links - they're springboards for discussion. even if you don't have a fully formed thought, sharing your initial reaction can spark collective sensemaking. and if you need to drop a signal and come back later to add your perspective, that's okay too! we're all working around the rhythms of our lives.
think of these channels like our own little digital gardens. they won't all grow at the same rate. sometimes you plant a seed, and you don't revisit it until weeks or months down the road. or maybe someone else drops in to water the plants. no matter how it grows, it's ok. we're cultivating this garden together.
some ways to tend our garden:
ðŋ jump into existing posts and add your thoughts
ðą start new threads to deepen the discussion
ð search for related signals to connect the dots
ð follow conversations you want to revisit
ðïļ explore older threads to see how ideas have grown
recency isn't everything - some of our best threads (that speak to the most potent cultural shifts) are our oldest! sometimes, they lay dormant; sometimes, they spark back up. the garden grows at its own pace.
we're working on adding channel-specific guidance to help you find the right home for your signals. in the meantime, a few general tips:
ðĻ #aesthetics is for emerging visual styles and creative expressions
ðïļ #spirituality-religion covers shifting belief systems and practices
ð #placemaking-migration is about how we shape and move through physical space
ð #relationships digs into how we connect with each other
ðĪ #technology tracks how tools are shaping our lives
ðĄ #ideology is a bit of a catch-all for worldviews, philosophies, and big ideas
not sure where your signal fits? drop it in #ðĻ sorting-room and someone in the community will help guide it home.
ð make this a place of abundance - be generous with insights and lovingly challenge when you disagree
ð if someone's signals are valuable to you, share gratitude in #send-gratitudes
ðŧ we're cultivating this garden together - every contribution matters, whenever it happens
the Signal Garden is the heart of RADAR's collective intelligence. by tending it together, we deepen our understanding of what's emerging - and discover the better futures worth nurturing.
last updated by keels on Feb 3, 2025