The world just witnessed the Coronation of King Charles III. Whether you are a monarchist or not doesn’t matter for the purposes of this discussion. One thing you cannot ignore about the coronation is the importance of Semiotics, Symbols, Icons, Myths, Ritual and Gestures as the foundation and … [Read more...] about For the Monarchists of Safety
myths
Creating Myths and Rituals in Safety
The test of how ‘religious’ someone is about anything is to see what they can do without or compromise on (what they make sacred or taboo). Just ask a sports fan to take down their poster of their favourite team. Just suggest to someone that something they are attached to and anchored to, be taken … [Read more...] about Creating Myths and Rituals in Safety
Posture Myths and Holistic Ergonomics
Myths are easily maintained when accompanied by symbols. The merging of symbol and myth creates a new truth, symbolic truth. Such truth is not real or true, but is made symbolically true. We see this all the time in the safety industry with simple constructs like the Swiss Cheese (Reason) or domino … [Read more...] about Posture Myths and Holistic Ergonomics
Why is Myth so Scary to Safety?
It is interesting that the concept of myth stirs up Safety so much, especially when there is no study of myth or symbol in any safety curriculum globally. If you want to know about myth and symbol and how they operate in the unconscious and collective unconscious Mind, one can start researching … [Read more...] about Why is Myth so Scary to Safety?
Myth and Symbols in Safety
A myth is not a fairy tale or fiction but a false belief made true by ‘anchoring' to a symbol. Myths/symbols are not historically or scientifically true but are made true by the mythical proposition of the symbol. We saw this in the last blog about posture. Despite dozens of safety text books that … [Read more...] about Myth and Symbols in Safety
Why Myths in Safety Work
Why Myths in Safety Work Update: See our expanding series on Safety Myths HERE As I look back across the 1000 blogs I have written there are many common themes, in a way indicating common concerns of an industry that is most confused and lost. One of the common themes throughout concerns the power … [Read more...] about Why Myths in Safety Work
Standing on the Myths of Safety
Standing on the Myths of Safety Most people confuse the definition of myth with fable, when this is not the case. When I use the word ‘myth’ in the tradition of Social Psychology its meaning is synonymous with symbolic reality. In Social Psychology a myth and symbol are the flip side of the same … [Read more...] about Standing on the Myths of Safety
How the Secular is Made Sacred In Safety
How the Secular is Made Sacred In Safety The work of helping others, listening and conversation is not a sacred activity but should be an everyday activity and one that safety people need to do well. The foundation of good safety is not controlling others in our image but rather listening to others … [Read more...] about How the Secular is Made Sacred In Safety
Greater or Lesser Harm
Greater or Lesser Harm The ancient Greek cult of the Kriophoros is captured in the image of the ram-bearer’ and can teach us something about the nature of harm. The Kriophoros is also foundational in Early Christian Art … [Read more...] about Greater or Lesser Harm
Visual Perception and the Camera Metaphor
We live by myths and metaphors and some of the myths and metaphors we use in risk are unhelpful. We construct guiding principles that we live by (myths-symbols) and express those myth-symbols in metaphors we use to explain what we believe. These metaphors (Lakhoff and Johnson) then become the way we … [Read more...] about Visual Perception and the Camera Metaphor
