China’s Social Credit System

This article gave a really detailed and eye-opening explanation of China’s Social Credit System (SCS).

China Social Credit System Explained - How It Works [2025]

It described how the government uses a huge amount of data — from financial records to social behaviour — to monitor and score citizens and companies based on how “trustworthy” they are.

If you have a low score, you can be blacklisted, which means restrictions like not being able to book flights, limited access to education, or being blocked from certain jobs.

If you have a high score, you might get rewards like better loan rates or faster approval for public services.

• Data Collection: The system aggregates data from various sources, including financial records, legal infractions, and even social behaviours, to evaluate trustworthiness.
• Blacklisting and Redlisting: Entities can be placed on blacklists for untrustworthy behaviour, leading to sanctions, or on redlists for exemplary behaviour, leading to rewards.
• Sanctions and Incentives: Sanctions for blacklisted individuals or companies can include restrictions on travel, business operations, and access to public services. Conversely, those with high trust scores may receive benefits like streamlined bureaucratic processes.

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This topic really stuck with me after class because honestly, it’s terrifying to think about. The idea of being constantly watched and judged by the government based on everything you do — even small personal choices — feels like something straight out of a dystopian story. It made me realise how emerging technology — while it can bring so many good things — could also easily be used in harmful ways by governments or big companies to control people. Reading about this system made me think about the future too. I wouldn't be surprised if something similar crept into Western societies over time, especially as surveillance technology keeps getting more powerful and data collection becomes more normalised. What also really hit me was how small changes over time could make a system like this seem “normal” — where people might slowly give up privacy without even realising what they’re losing.

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Sustainable Service Design- HENRY& CO

This article from HENRY & CO. offers an insightful look into how service design can play a pivotal role in promoting sustainability. It emphasises that services, being inherently less material-intensive than products, have a unique advantage in reducing environmental impact. By adopting a circular approach, services can be designed to meet real needs while minimising waste and promoting resource efficiency.

Sustainable Service Design - HENRY & CO.

The article outlines several key areas where sustainable service design can make a difference:

• Sustainable Renting: Developing rental models for various goods encourages shared use, reducing the need for constant production of new items.
• Online Second-Hand Markets: Creating intuitive platforms for trading used goods promotes reuse and extends the life cycle of products.
• Sustainable Restoration and Repair: Designing services that facilitate the repair and restoration of items helps in reducing waste and conserving resources.
• Design for Repairability: Integrating repairability into product and service design ensures longevity and reduces the frequency of replacements.