One of the lessons of the Black Lives Matter Movement is that symbols matter. With symbols comes power. Recently, we have seen statues torn down (blacklives-matter-protests-why-are-statues-so-powerful), monuments defaced … [Read more...] about It’s Only a Symbol
Semiotics
Wellness is Not a Commodity
I received a post this week from Worksafe Victoria arguing why strategies for wellness in the workplace make for: improved productivity, improved reputation, reduced absenteeism and reduced turnover. Of course these outcomes are supported by extensive research but what a shame that the promotion of … [Read more...] about Wellness is Not a Commodity
Safety as Ritual Performance
Humans create rituals so that they don’t have to think rationally about a process that is symbolized in the ritual. In this way meaning is transferred quickly and doesn’t require arduous concentration about meaning in the ritual itself. All rituals construct symbols and myths that embody the meaning … [Read more...] about Safety as Ritual Performance
When Art Speaks to Harm
One of the fascinating ways we talk of concepts is to personify them. We talk about ‘the market’, ‘the economy’, ‘politics, ‘Canberra’, ‘society’, ‘Washington’ as if they are a person. We attribute personal value to these places and their behaviours as Archetypes. Most of the time we talk this way … [Read more...] about When Art Speaks to Harm
The Semiotics of COVID-19 and the Social Amplification of Risk
What can we learn from the semiotics of the Coronavirus crisis? Semiotics is the study of signs and symbol systems and how they emerge from and penetrate the human unconscious. Semiosis is the study of how these symbols systems/myths create meaning and their significance for human being/living. The … [Read more...] about The Semiotics of COVID-19 and the Social Amplification of Risk
Zero Plus Infinity Times 10 = ?
Zero Plus Infinity Times 10 = ? Following Dr Rob Long’s recent article Semiotics and Safety about the mindless gobbledygook that is terms like “Beyond Zero” and “Target Zero”, and the negative subconscious meanings they prime, a very despondent safety person sent us this photo. Is it any wonder … [Read more...] about Zero Plus Infinity Times 10 = ?
Safety sure is dumb sometimes
Anyone see a problem with this suggestion? … [Read more...] about Safety sure is dumb sometimes
Symbols Matter
Symbols Matter We learnt this week that symbols matter. The unprecedented protest of signatures on change.org this week (Defend Our Opera House: Support Louise Herron) demonstrates this. In less that a week over 300,000 signatures were gathered against the NSW Government’s decision to project … [Read more...] about Symbols Matter
Until Nothing Changes in Safety
Until Nothing Changes in Safety The industry of safety becomes more and more fixed in its current trajectory through its linguistic practices, semiotic meanings and social reproduction. What does this mean? Humans are the sum of their social relationships and the language that is used to … [Read more...] about Until Nothing Changes in Safety
Everyday safety
Everyday safety I wrote recently about bells and whistles in safety (https://safetyrisk.net/bells-and-whistles-and-due-diligence/) and how easily Safety is seduced into some delusional campaign of heroes and nirvana. One of the core messages of safety ought to be that there is not utopia and no … [Read more...] about Everyday safety