Wisdom, Discernment and an Ethic of Safety I receive emails every week from safety people who thank me for being ‘provocative’ and helping them learn. However, being provocative is not something I set out to do. I don’t sit down and think, ‘now how can I present some contrary view’. Indeed, when … [Read more...] about Wisdom, Discernment and an Ethic of Safety
critical thinking
Tape Down Those Leads
Tape Down Those Leads One of the things that is curiously entertaining in safety is a lack of proportionality and critical thinking. I often present in facilities where arrangements have not been considered for how workshops are presented, including: lighting, power leads, power points, desks, … [Read more...] about Tape Down Those Leads
Culture Silences in Safety – Critical Thinking
Often when Safety make noise about something it’s often about its opposite, such is the code of safety (https://safetyrisk.net/deciphering-safety-code/ ) or like saying something is ‘different’ when it isn’t.When we hear Safety speak about critical thinking, it is not reference to critical thinking. … [Read more...] about Culture Silences in Safety – Critical Thinking
What is Critical Thinking in Safety?
What is Critical Thinking in Safety? Everyone thinks but not all think critically…. There are countless books out there on supposed ‘critical thinking skills’ but many are not about critical thinking. Many of these books don’t even define critical thinking well. Let’s take for example Cottrell, … [Read more...] about What is Critical Thinking in Safety?
Critical Theory, Critical Thinking and Safety
Critical Theory, Critical Thinking and Safety I have written before about the need for greater levels of critical thinking, discernment (https://www.humandymensions.com/product/real-risk/ ) and envisioning (https://www.humandymensions.com/product/envisioning-risk-seeing-vision-and-meaning-in-risk/ … [Read more...] about Critical Theory, Critical Thinking and Safety
Memorials and Monuments, A Lesson in What is NOT Said
Memorials and Monuments, A Lesson in What is NOT Said One of the essential skills in critical thinking is being able to ask critical questions. Questions such as: what can I NOT see? What is NOT being said? What can I NOT hear? What text is omitted? What language is NOT spoken? Are all critical … [Read more...] about Memorials and Monuments, A Lesson in What is NOT Said
The Strange Challenge of Unlearning in Safety
The research shows that people are most gullible when: 1. What is presented to them is the first they have heard it 2. The source seems authoritative 3. The ideas seem logical, simple, binary and orderly and, 4. Ideas match popular discourse. It is not likely that people are going to fall for a … [Read more...] about The Strange Challenge of Unlearning in Safety
Paying the Price for the Pooling of Ignorance
One of the rewards of ‘dumb down’in post social media age is the rewarding of ignorance, conspiracy theories, armchair experts and lunacy. Amazing what one can learn on the back of a postage stamp. Kakutani calls this the ‘Death of Truth, Hedges The ‘Empire of Illusion’, Carr ‘The shallows’ Nichols … [Read more...] about Paying the Price for the Pooling of Ignorance
The Need for Critical Thinking in Safety
The moment one invokes that special word ‘safety’ it seems all critical thinking ends. You can’t criticize safety what, don’t you want people to be safe? If you want to cut off criticism and scrutiny, just invoke the magic word ‘safety’ and all critical thinking and critique ends. This is … [Read more...] about The Need for Critical Thinking in Safety
Thinking Outside the Safety Bubble
Thinking Outside the Safety Bubble It is good to read that someone recognizes the ‘safety bubble’, OHS Thoughts Trapped In The Bubble = thanks Kevin. The metaphor of a ‘bubble’ conveys the idea of an insular, self-absorbed environment that is inflated by delusion. Image Source (I must get one of … [Read more...] about Thinking Outside the Safety Bubble
