I discovered recently that there is a Hindu Temple (Mandir) 10 minutes from my place. It was constructed in 1995 and I must have driven past it many times but it’s not something for which I was aware. It’s funny like that, the moment we buy a certain car we suddenly can see all the cars like ours on … [Read more...] about Stepping Outside Your Worldview, Take a Risk
Semiotics
We Are Our Brands and Branding in Safety
How we want to be known by the semiotics we present, the metaphors we use and the discourse we maintain, is our projected identity. This identity is not objective or neutral but rather interpreted. Sometimes, the by-products of a brand or a discourse takes on a life of its own which cannot be seen … [Read more...] about We Are Our Brands and Branding in Safety
Personifying Objects in Safety
The personification of objects is a Poetic device understood by anyone with an ounce of intelligence about linguistics (https://cllr.com.au/product/linguistics-flyer-unit-21/ ). Poetic devices are used constantly by Safety in safety but few know what they are actually saying … [Read more...] about Personifying Objects in Safety
Free Semiotics Workshops – February 2024
Registration for the free online Semiotics workshop closes on 9 February (https://safetyrisk.net/first-free-online-course-with-dr-long-for-2024-semiotics/). Four sessions on semiotics and risk then commence at 9am on 20 February. This is open to anyone has previously studied an introduction to SPoR. … [Read more...] about Free Semiotics Workshops – February 2024
First Free Online Course with Dr Long for 2024 – Semiotics
The first free online course delivered by Dr Long is on Semiotics. You will not be able to register for this program unless you have already undertaken studies in SPoR. AS a minimum this could be the Introduction to SPoR Methods with Matt Thorne … [Read more...] about First Free Online Course with Dr Long for 2024 – Semiotics
You Might Not Be Paying Attention, But Your Semiotic Unconscious Is
Even when Safety uses words like ‘innovation’ and ‘creativity’ these are located within the behaviourist/materialist/positivist framework of safety orthodoxy. There is never any discussion of semiotics or the unconscious. Even when Safety talks about ‘awareness’, ‘carefulness’, ‘consciousness’ and … [Read more...] about You Might Not Be Paying Attention, But Your Semiotic Unconscious Is
What is a Semiotic Walk?
I once met a Safety Manager who had worked at a factory for 10 years and had never walked the floor! His office was high above the factory and he could see everything either directly or via CCTV. He could easily write up any misdemeanour by surveillance (which was recorded), complete a checklist and … [Read more...] about What is a Semiotic Walk?
Goal Setting in Safety is Easy
You would think that setting goals in safety would be difficult after hearing academics twist themselves in linguistic knots over zero (https://safetyrisk.net/since-when-did-zero-become-a-science/ ). But, setting goals for safety doesn’t have to be a linguistic gymnastic conundrum. I have written … [Read more...] about Goal Setting in Safety is Easy
The Safety Dance
When we search for metaphors to think about life, being and risk there is none better than the dance. In many ways fallible humans ‘dance’ through life and as much as we might like to invent and concoct a controllable, predictable and confined world, it is not. The reality is, the world is not … [Read more...] about The Safety Dance
Semiotic Methods to Help Tackle Risk
A semiotic method is a method that uses visual thinking to create understanding. Semiotic methods use graphics, icons, symbols and signs that communicate at a different level than text and number. Semiotic graphical reDashboardpresentation is much more suited to showing: relation, connectedness, … [Read more...] about Semiotic Methods to Help Tackle Risk