Your question, or the question of a ‘Black Swan’ event is very intriguing. I think a true black swan event will only ever be realized in hindsight. I believe however, that it is possible that we are living in the shadow of a black swan event right now. But the shadow is so large that its true shape and nature can’t be fully discerned. While there may be many promises in science, technology and education the current climate change scenario may trump them all in terms of impact on the profession. Landscape Architects may well find their role has changed from designer to part of a rescue crew in an all hands on deck to save the ship scenario. With a failing economy and failing climate the majority of LA’s might well be relegated to installing predefined ‘modules’ of ‘landscapes’ as part of public works projects. While this may not be all bad it may well change the profession from that of creative place making to more of a civil servant role.
Or not.
No really I am an optimist!
“There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don’t know we don’t know.” -Donald Rumsfeld.
