Buckminster Fuller's prolific life of exploration, discovery, invention
and teaching was driven by his intention “to make the world
work for 100% of humanity, in the shortest possible time, through
spontaneous cooperation without ecological offense or disadvantage
Fuller coupled this intention with a pioneering approach aimed at
solving complex problems. This approach, which he called “comprehensive
anticipatory design science”, combined an emphasis
on individual initiative and integrity with whole systems thinking,
scientific rigor and faithful reliance on nature's underlying
principles.
After decades of tracking world resources, innovations in science
and technology, and human needs, Fuller asserted that options
exist to successfully surmount the crises of unprecedented scope
and complexity facing all humanity – he issued an urgent call for
Answering this call is what the Buckminster Fuller Challenge is all
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
Winning the Buckminster Fuller Challenge will require more than
a great stand-alone innovation. If for example, your solution
emphasizes a new design, material, process, service, tool, technology,
or any combination, it is essential that it be part of an
integrated strategy dealing with key social, economic, environmental,
policy and cultural issues.
The winning solution should exemplify the trimtab principle.
Trimtabs are small steering devices used on ships and airplanes
which demonstrate how relatively small amounts of leverage,
energy, and resources strategically applied at the right time and
place can produce maximum advantageous change.
Entrants must put forward a bold, visionary, tangible initiative
that is focused on a well-defined need of critical importance.
Proposed solutions must represent a preferred state model – one
that aims to optimize conditions from inception in order to create
the most desirable, sustainable, future outcome. Entries should
be regionally specific yet globally applicable, and backed up by a
solid plan and the capability to move the solution forward.
Entries must be:
facets of the design and development process; aims to simultaneously
address multiple goals, requirements, conditions and
issues
well as projected impacts of implementation in the short and
long term
principles while enhancing the Earth’s life-support systems
resources
Verifiable – able to withstand rigorous empirical testing
conditions
The winning strategy will integrate all these criteria into a powerful
catalyst having the potential to play a significant role in the
transition to an equitable and sustainable future for all.
