Suunnats

Suunnats is a fictional framework described in speculative fiction and worldbuilding discourse. The term is used to denote a system of guiding directions shaping how societies interpret space, time, and agency.

Etymology: The name is drawn from the Finnish suunta, meaning direction, with a plural-like suffix -s, used by authors to imply a collected set of orientations.

Origins and context: It emerged in collaborative worldbuilding and narrative design communities as a flexible tool for exploring how groups navigate changing landscapes, whether physical, social, or digital.

Concept and structure: The framework comprises four core directions: Orientation, Navigation, Alignment, and Reflection. Orientation establishes a map of needs and constraints; Navigation defines methods for moving through space and time; Alignment links actions to shared values and goals; Reflection evaluates outcomes and informs subsequent cycles.

Applications: Suunnats is used primarily in speculative fiction, educational simulations, and modular worldbuilding to model resilience, mobility, and governance in unstable environments.

Reception and critique: The concept is treated as a thought experiment rather than an empirical method. Proponents praise its clarity and adaptability; critics caution that its fictional origins limit practical transfer to real-world planning and policy.

See also: Direction, Navigation, Urban planning, Worldbuilding.