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
myths
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
The Acts of God and Act of Humans
The Acts of God and Act of Humans We are told that injury, harm and suffering were once perceived as ‘acts of god’ but are now conceived as ‘acts of man’ (sic) or ‘acts of humans’. This is the new commonly accepted thesis branded as ‘the scientific view’. The idea that injury, harm and pain are … [Read more...] about The Acts of God and Act of Humans
Santa, Myths and Regulators.
Santa, Myths and Regulators. I was at a building site yesterday and up pulled a ute full of cases of beer, gifts for loyal and faithful service. A few weeks ago the same company hired a cruise boat for a Christmas party complete with endless alcohol and strippers as a way of saying thanks to the … [Read more...] about Santa, Myths and Regulators.
