Its All In The Sign A brilliant essay by Max Geyer, submitted as part of his study for the Graduate Certificate in the Psychology of Risk - published here with his permission: Norretranders (1998) provides ample evidence that the unconscious plays a major role in communication. This paper … [Read more...] about Its All In The Sign
Semiotics
How is the unconscious in communication critical for understanding and managing risk?
How is the unconscious in communication critical for understanding and managing risk? This is a great piece by Hayden Collins, submitted as part of his study for the Graduate Certificate in the Psychology of Risk and reprinted here with his permission: It’s a misconception that … [Read more...] about How is the unconscious in communication critical for understanding and managing risk?
Safety is an Art
Safety has much more to do with Art, History and Philosophy than it has to do with Science, Engineering and Law. I recently wrote The Target Drives the Method about the subjectivity of determining ‘significance’ that is a precursor to this discussion. Despite the perception that so many in safety … [Read more...] about Safety is an Art
The Wisdom of Semiotics, Myth and Poetics in Risk
In my study I have figure of a monkey holding a bottle of wine: See Figure 1. Money and Wine. Figure 1. Monkey and Wine The wine bottle bears the image of Ned Kelly and serves as a reminder of the many myths that have been created about him. The semiotics of New Kelly can be found … [Read more...] about The Wisdom of Semiotics, Myth and Poetics in Risk
Semiotics and Safety
Semiotics and Safety I read with interest a conference proposed for November 2014 entitled ‘Beyond Zero Harm, Human Factors Safety’. The subtitle of the conference is ‘Humanising impacts in safety operations to reengineer safety approach for enhanced productivity and business profitability’. Oh … [Read more...] about Semiotics and Safety
I Think Therefore I Write – Study Module
The latest module on offer in the Social Psychology of Risk is Module 20: Writing and Thinking in Risk. This module brings together knowledge in Linguistics, Poetics, Semiotics and Critical Thinking with a focus on writing and articulating ideas about risk. You can read more about the module … [Read more...] about I Think Therefore I Write – Study Module
Chook Chook Safety
When it comes to semiotics (symbol systems) and safety it seems that the most insulting and stupid memes (https://safetyrisk.net/culture-silences-in-safety-memes/) get first preference (https://safetyrisk.net/meerkat-safety-can-it-get-more-dumb/ ). Such memes can only emerge out of a culture of … [Read more...] about Chook Chook Safety
A week in Canberra: Unraveling the Social Psychology of Risk and Paradox.
By Larry Snead The crisp autumn air greeted me as I stepped off the plane at the Canberra Airport. It is just turning summer where I come from (Iowa)10,000 miles away so this was a surprise for me. The city, nestled amidst rolling hills and eucalyptus trees, exuded an air of quiet contemplation. I … [Read more...] about A week in Canberra: Unraveling the Social Psychology of Risk and Paradox.
Engaging Learning in SPoR
This past week 30 people from all over the globe descended on Canberra, the Nations Capital, to learn about life, being and living in tension with risk. Some arrived after a 30 hour flight and no sleep like Billy from Des Moines Iowa, fighting to keep his body clock in sync and staying awake till … [Read more...] about Engaging Learning in SPoR
SPoR and Semiotics, A Conversation – Free Download
Matt and I launched our new book SPoR and Semiotics without much fanfare and this was quite deliberate. This is the thirteenth book released in the Social Psychology of Risk and brings together all of the tools, methods, semiotics and models practiced by SPoR. (FYI, downloads of SPoR books now … [Read more...] about SPoR and Semiotics, A Conversation – Free Download