It is often amusing to observe the Archetype of Technique (Ellul) surface and fade away as old and new fads are adopted and disappear. This seems to satisfy the mysterious quest for efficiency and certainty by people in business and organisations, only to discover that there is nothing ‘different’. … [Read more...] about Technique and the Demise of the Agile, Scrum Myth
Robert Long
Sacred Objects to Remember Un-Safety
To study Mythology is to Study the way humans construct meaning and purpose in living. We see this in how people make things sacred and profane (https://safetyrisk.net/the-sacred-and-profane-rituals-and-semiotics-a-lesson-for-safety/). We will see much of this in Australia on 25 April, ANZAC Day. … [Read more...] about Sacred Objects to Remember Un-Safety
Perfectionism in Safety and the Denial of Humanity
Perfectionism in Safety and the Denial of Humanity Article by Dr Rob Long in response to Safety Under Construction What a bizarre claim that someone can guarantee no accidents, no mistakes, no harm and that ‘100% zero harm is the irrefutable future coming towards the construction industry like a … [Read more...] about Perfectionism in Safety and the Denial of Humanity
Understanding Mythology, Myth, Mythosphere and Science – A Podcast.
For those who want to understand the nature of myth and mythology perhaps this podcast may help: When we use the word ‘myth’ in SPoR we don’t mean fantasy or fairy tale because, myth is unique and is semiotically and poetically verified. Similarly, the myths of scientism that are popular in … [Read more...] about Understanding Mythology, Myth, Mythosphere and Science – A Podcast.
Dumb Ways to Discourse, a Failed Approach in Safety
Dumb Ways to Discourse, a Failed Approach in Safety The Dumb Ways to Die campaign is a classic example of a failure to think about the trajectory of a goal and trajectory of a discourse. The Dumb Ways to Die campaign and it’s self-assessed success (based on hits on the Internet) demonstrate … [Read more...] about Dumb Ways to Discourse, a Failed Approach in Safety
Sifting the Chaff from the Wheat in Safety
I have discussed the skill and wisdom of discernment previously: https://safetyrisk.net/wisdom-discernment-and-an-ethic-of-safety/ https://safetyrisk.net/the-need-for-discernment-in-risk-and-safety/ https://safetyrisk.net/social-psychology-applied-to-the-discernment-of-risk/ I have … [Read more...] about Sifting the Chaff from the Wheat in Safety
Safety, The Expert in Everything and the Art of Learning Nothing
There’s a huge difference between Safety trying to do Ethics and an Ethicist doing safety! Isn’t it bizarre that when Safety wants to learn about Ethics it asks an engineer, this is a classic example: Or when it wants to know about culture it asks an engineer whose tag identity is ‘the … [Read more...] about Safety, The Expert in Everything and the Art of Learning Nothing
More of the Same Expecting a Different Outcome in Safety
When we look at so much of what circulates in safety about ‘safety as a priority’ and togetherness in safety, it’s always just the same old stuff – golden rules, behaviourism and zero. The following is a typical example: https://togetherinsafety.info/ Having just completed the MiProfile Survey … [Read more...] about More of the Same Expecting a Different Outcome in Safety
‘False Consciousness’ and Perception in Risk and Safety
Very thought provoking article by Dr Rob Long from Human Dymensions. To quote from the article: The idea that setting absolutist and perfectionist goals followed by punitive measures to achieve those goals, is a bankrupt model for motivation of risk and safety ownership. The model ignores hidden … [Read more...] about ‘False Consciousness’ and Perception in Risk and Safety
Dumb Safety Slogans and Myths
Amongst the many myths of Safety one is that ‘safety starts with me’. This is individualist language that doesn’t help people manage risk. This myth combines with other myths such as ‘safety is a choice you make’ and ‘all accidents are preventable’. None of this language helps anyone and should be … [Read more...] about Dumb Safety Slogans and Myths