The Zero Aspiration The Maintenance of a Dangerous Idea

The Zero Aspiration The Maintenance of a Dangerous Idea

Dr Rob Long is  presented this paper at “Visions” in late August 2014.  Rob has allowed us to provide his paper as a free download  

Not a day goes by when someone tells me they cop a flogging for not agreeing with this crazy ideology so, I thought we’d share this with you and why we think the zero harm mantra is a dangerous idea. If you had any doubts about the dangers of the Zero Harm mantra then this paper will finally set your thinking straight. For the zealots, I doubt very much that you will want to read this!

DOWNLOAD HERE: The-Zero-Aspiration

 This paper is guided by a range of key questions, these are:

• What is the fascination with zero and why is the language of ‘zero’ so attractive to so many?
• Does the language of ‘zero’ make any difference?
• Is it a harmless neutral concept that doesn’t really matter?
• Does ‘zero’ language inspire and motivate people?
• Could it be possible that the language and discourse of ‘zero’ is insidious and dangerous?
• If I set a goal that is unachievable or perceived to be unachievable, do I really think people will give all their effort in pursuing it?
• Does a high jumper improve by setting the bar at the world record height first up, or by setting the bar at a height that is just beyond reach then repeatedly trying until they achieve the small success of jumping over the bar, then moving slightly higher again?
• If I do not believe in God, does this automatically mean I believe in the Devil?  Similarly, if I do not believe in Zero Harm, does this mean I endorse harm?
• Could it be that on the surface of things the mantra of ‘zero’ is naively badged as positive yet the by-products of such cultural discourse can be negative?
• Is the language of ‘zero’ not only unconsciously priming workers to fail but creating a cultural discourse that counter-intuitively drives people away from the very things it desires?

These questions will be addressed in this paper.

DOWNLOAD HERE: The-Zero-Aspiration