Start from the current promise
Janus opens with a memorable low-poly planet, a stark question and a cinematic invitation into ten possible futures. The public experience then expands into Story, Atlas, Observatory and Index. Those are real assets. The proposed repositioning asks a different first question: what if a visitor arrives to inspect the assumptions and sources behind a scenario, not just to travel through it? The core idea would shift from 'journey through futures' toward 'compare possible futures and the evidence behind them.' This is a proposed audience and message hypothesis; no user research is presented as having validated it.
Change the entry, preserve the world
The planet remains the signature image and motion remains part of the invitation. The proposed change is information order. Put a compact 'ten scenarios / compare assumptions / inspect sources' explanation beside the opening, with direct entries to the atlas and index. Give each world a repeatable card: premise, time horizon, main drivers, uncertainty, source path and what the scenario does not predict. Make a comparison mode select two worlds by the same fields. This would let a researcher bypass the introduction, while a curious visitor can still take the cinematic route. The idea is a navigation and content proposal; the public project should not be described as already containing this new comparison tool.
Position translated into interface
The new position is credible only if its proof is inspectable in the experience. These changes are proposed, with checks for a future implementation.
| Moment | Proposed change | Acceptance check |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Name scenarios and evidence before the first scroll | A first-time reader can state what Janus is and what it is not |
| Atlas | Expose common fields and direct source paths | Two worlds can be compared without replaying the story |
| Fallback | Keep names, assumptions and links outside 3D | Reduced motion or graphics failure leaves the research usable |
Evidence and the test before rollout
The existing project demonstrates a cinematic 3D entrance, atlas and observatory, plus a documented research and source-validation pipeline. It does not prove that this proposed position is better. To decide, test the current and proposed first screen with distinct visitors: one seeking a story, one seeking source material. Ask each to locate a scenario, identify its status as an exploration rather than a forecast, and find the evidence path. Record task completion and misinterpretations before changing the core message across pages. Scientific claims and scenario limitations need editorial review independently of design preference.
Sources & editorial notes
Sources
- Janus Observatory — public experiencejanus-observatory.nicocerond.workers.dev
How we built this guide
EvidenceThis guide combines 1 linked source, Dardo’s analysis and clearly labeled project examples.
LimitsVisible design and content decisions are not presented as measured ranking, traffic or conversion gains.
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