Abstract
What is the hidden message behind the Sator Square, and why does this palindrome continue to generate multiple and contradictory interpretations? Rather than resolving the hermeneutics of this ancient and enigmatic design symbol, the article adopts it as a speculative lens to examine how power circulates through the cultural manifestations of art and design. Revisited in the conclusion, the SATOR operates as a metaphor for the intertwined, recursive, and ambiguous forces that shape creative knowledge and leadership. Drawing on soft power as a force of attraction and influence, the discussion critiques design elitism—which constrains inclusivity and sustains hierarchical structures in the creative industries—and proposes a shift from the myth of design(idealised as inherently progressive) to the design of myth, where narrative functions as a strategic vehicle for shaping collective imagination. The study incorporates a structured dialogue with an AI model, employed as a reflective interlocutor to support abductive reasoning and speculative insight. Framed within the concept of Interwinia, this AI-assisted process generated unanticipated connections that translate theoretical reflection into pedagogical strategy. Ultimately, the article calls for a radical reorientation of design education: moving beyond output-centred metrics toward engagement with the political, cultural, and epistemic dynamics of design as soft power. It advocates interdisciplinary, situated, and narrative-based approaches that empower future creative leaders to navigate geopolitical ambiguity with ethical agility and critical awareness—skills essential for emerging world orders
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/drslxd.2025.140
Citation
Galli, F.(2025) Intertwinia Elitism: Educating Leaders Through Power, Myth and AI., in Clemente, V., Gomes, G., Reis, M., Félix, S., Ala, S., Jones, D. (eds.), Learn X Design 2025, 22-24 September 2025, Aveiro, Portugal. https://doi.org/10.21606/drslxd.2025.140
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Conference Track
Full Paper
Intertwinia Elitism: Educating Leaders Through Power, Myth and AI.
What is the hidden message behind the Sator Square, and why does this palindrome continue to generate multiple and contradictory interpretations? Rather than resolving the hermeneutics of this ancient and enigmatic design symbol, the article adopts it as a speculative lens to examine how power circulates through the cultural manifestations of art and design. Revisited in the conclusion, the SATOR operates as a metaphor for the intertwined, recursive, and ambiguous forces that shape creative knowledge and leadership. Drawing on soft power as a force of attraction and influence, the discussion critiques design elitism—which constrains inclusivity and sustains hierarchical structures in the creative industries—and proposes a shift from the myth of design(idealised as inherently progressive) to the design of myth, where narrative functions as a strategic vehicle for shaping collective imagination. The study incorporates a structured dialogue with an AI model, employed as a reflective interlocutor to support abductive reasoning and speculative insight. Framed within the concept of Interwinia, this AI-assisted process generated unanticipated connections that translate theoretical reflection into pedagogical strategy. Ultimately, the article calls for a radical reorientation of design education: moving beyond output-centred metrics toward engagement with the political, cultural, and epistemic dynamics of design as soft power. It advocates interdisciplinary, situated, and narrative-based approaches that empower future creative leaders to navigate geopolitical ambiguity with ethical agility and critical awareness—skills essential for emerging world orders