Showing posts with label Safety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Safety. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
CONCEPT: Basic Needs
Basic Needs: Abraham Maslow's motivation theory, inextricably linked to his notion of 'hierarchy of needs', is an illuminating and still enticing approach to conversations about basic needs. Indeed, the 'twinning' of motivation and needs is practically unavoidable, regardless of the faults that one may find with either the theory or the hierarchy.
At the bottom of his five-layer hierarchy are "physiological needs". Just above them are "safety needs". In this scheme of things, the most basic of all needs -- and "root drivers" of human action -- are physiological ones: the need for adequate food, water, shelter (or housing) and clothing (or essential body-cover). Safety needs -- that is, "ontological security" (Giddens) and "freedom from fear and anxiety" (Cooper, et al, 1998: 33) -- more-or-less follow. The two are, indeed, essentially overlapping and concurrent basic needs.
Generically, our needs are built into our human condition and -- particularly with respect to the first three rungs in Maslow's hierarchy (the third being 'Belonging and Affection') -- underpin our survival and 'sociality' as a species. Our wants, on the other hand, are relatively optional -- important as esteem and self-actualization may be, to varying degrees, to individuals seeking a fulfilling and 'rewarding' life.
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
CONCEPT: Logistics
Logistics: This is the art and science of moving, transporting and/or delivering things (material, hardware, equipment or supplies), services or even people across geographical space. Crucial considerations here include: efficiency, coordination, timeliness, security and cost; or, in general, the appropriateness of the means in relation to the mission. Vehicular breakdown and safety of passage are, likewise, always a twin-concern requiring management's 'unblinking' attention and capacity for effective response and even 'networked' intervention.
To have good logistics, you must in the first place have clarity of purpose and a good strategy to realize it. Otherwise, whatever carriers and other transportation resources, routes, personnel or passion and related communication mechanisms that you may have will be of little avail. Thus, the adage that "if you don't know where you're going, you won't get there" tells us less than half the truth. You must have the means (of necessity dependable) to get there, as well. As a minimum, then, strategy should be based on a robust form of SWOT analysis or its equivalent. In, a robust and pro-active 'supply chain management' system is a necessity for consistent success.
Partly driven by considerations of security (against international terrorism, in particular, as well as piracy) and of efficiency, logistics and IoT have increasingly become intertwined in 'heavy-duty' commercial shipping around the world. In hindsight, one can see that IoT was always implicit in both commercial (for example, in the worldwide cargo-delivery 'transactions' of FedEx and DHL) and humanitarian airfreight (for example in UNHCR and Red Cross operations). It was even there, in its 'infancy', in passenger air-travel -- and most pronounced in long-haul flight.
But there has been, through it all, a periodically morphing sort of reverse 'cultural lag' (see, also, Godin) here -- between a 'driving' adaptive culture (that is, growing safety and security concerns and needs) and a 'responding' material culture (for example, as alluded to already, the technologies required to give assurance of passenger and shipping-line security). Quaintly, the intuitive tail was wagging the material dog here. With recent advances, however, IoT's value-proposition has caught up with the need (the demand) for it. This proposition has indeed become more and more explicit and even routine in its effect.
To have good logistics, you must in the first place have clarity of purpose and a good strategy to realize it. Otherwise, whatever carriers and other transportation resources, routes, personnel or passion and related communication mechanisms that you may have will be of little avail. Thus, the adage that "if you don't know where you're going, you won't get there" tells us less than half the truth. You must have the means (of necessity dependable) to get there, as well. As a minimum, then, strategy should be based on a robust form of SWOT analysis or its equivalent. In, a robust and pro-active 'supply chain management' system is a necessity for consistent success.
Partly driven by considerations of security (against international terrorism, in particular, as well as piracy) and of efficiency, logistics and IoT have increasingly become intertwined in 'heavy-duty' commercial shipping around the world. In hindsight, one can see that IoT was always implicit in both commercial (for example, in the worldwide cargo-delivery 'transactions' of FedEx and DHL) and humanitarian airfreight (for example in UNHCR and Red Cross operations). It was even there, in its 'infancy', in passenger air-travel -- and most pronounced in long-haul flight.
But there has been, through it all, a periodically morphing sort of reverse 'cultural lag' (see, also, Godin) here -- between a 'driving' adaptive culture (that is, growing safety and security concerns and needs) and a 'responding' material culture (for example, as alluded to already, the technologies required to give assurance of passenger and shipping-line security). Quaintly, the intuitive tail was wagging the material dog here. With recent advances, however, IoT's value-proposition has caught up with the need (the demand) for it. This proposition has indeed become more and more explicit and even routine in its effect.
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
CONCEPT: Intelligence
Intelligence: In safety and "security" terms, as broadly conceived -- and, by extension, outside of the field of psychology -- intelligence generally refers to any kind of information or set of data considered crucial to maintaining the status quo (and related advantages), overcoming threats to it, and/or gaining actionable advantage over identified barriers to desired goals. In a much-quoted passage, Stephen Hawking, leaning toward the psychological view and away from the "security" perspective, sees intelligence rather differently -- as "the ability to adapt to change".
From the safety and "security" perspectives -- that is, in the field of emergency and disaster management, public safety and health, and among others -- intelligence refers to any information, privileged or open-sourced, which gives managers marked advantage over likely, impending, or on-going threats to humans and all things of value to them as individuals and collectivities -- that is, family, belongings, property, community, institutions, ecosystems, society at large and country.
"Intelligence gathering" has many labels and involves a variety of activities, including: Preparedness, precaution, data gathering (or mining), business intelligence, surveillance, monitoring, SWOT analysis, GIS, observation, investigation, probing, espionage, spying and secret service. Importantly, "Intelligence Communities" of all kinds are quite alive to the insight embedded in the adage that information is power. Interestingly, moreover, Artificial Intelligence (AI), both as a concept and bundle of practices and applications, spans both psychology and safety/"security".
From the safety and "security" perspectives -- that is, in the field of emergency and disaster management, public safety and health, and among others -- intelligence refers to any information, privileged or open-sourced, which gives managers marked advantage over likely, impending, or on-going threats to humans and all things of value to them as individuals and collectivities -- that is, family, belongings, property, community, institutions, ecosystems, society at large and country.
"Intelligence gathering" has many labels and involves a variety of activities, including: Preparedness, precaution, data gathering (or mining), business intelligence, surveillance, monitoring, SWOT analysis, GIS, observation, investigation, probing, espionage, spying and secret service. Importantly, "Intelligence Communities" of all kinds are quite alive to the insight embedded in the adage that information is power. Interestingly, moreover, Artificial Intelligence (AI), both as a concept and bundle of practices and applications, spans both psychology and safety/"security".
Wednesday, September 06, 2017
A Thought ~ 19: Numbers
On an earlier occasion, I suggested a Wildebeest's Theorem. At the heart of The Book of Numbers, I think, is, allegorically, the notion that numbers count; and that numbers are a thing.
Numbers are the promise of the future -- of surviving long enough for the species to be in it, still. It's not simply that there's safety in numbers; but also, crucially, that number (number) has the power to push back danger -- and even to crush it. That's the flip side (the understated aspect) of the Wildebeest's theorem.
Numbers are, in a seemingly tautological fashion, the reason why we count. There would be no need for it if everything and everywhere were a singularity. Numbers are a strength, as all armies know. And all snipers. Conversely, they are in certain instances seen as a weakness and a threat to stability and progress, as when there are "too many mouths." Too many noisemakers. Too many cooks. Too much plastic, even.
Numbers may be a tyranny, and a weapon against it -- a sure tyranny against tyranny. We pit number against number. In many fields now, and in all team sports, an equality of number is a prerequisite for legitimate contest. And for its conclusive end.
It is with numbers that, in important ways, we measure material deprivation and wealth; and determine winner and loser, failure and success, progress and regress -- and even realize our destiny.
Numbers are a code with which we contemplate and master complexity and great mass. Numbers are in the spirit -- of Genesis -- when/where God instructs Adam and Eve (Them Africans) to go forth and multiply number with number, and so to dominate:
"Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and every living thing that moves on the earth."
It is with numbers that the human species will do what it is that destiny demands of it. In the universe. In the multiverse, if you please.
Updated: September 8 and 13, 2017
Numbers are the promise of the future -- of surviving long enough for the species to be in it, still. It's not simply that there's safety in numbers; but also, crucially, that number (number) has the power to push back danger -- and even to crush it. That's the flip side (the understated aspect) of the Wildebeest's theorem.
Numbers are, in a seemingly tautological fashion, the reason why we count. There would be no need for it if everything and everywhere were a singularity. Numbers are a strength, as all armies know. And all snipers. Conversely, they are in certain instances seen as a weakness and a threat to stability and progress, as when there are "too many mouths." Too many noisemakers. Too many cooks. Too much plastic, even.
Numbers may be a tyranny, and a weapon against it -- a sure tyranny against tyranny. We pit number against number. In many fields now, and in all team sports, an equality of number is a prerequisite for legitimate contest. And for its conclusive end.
It is with numbers that, in important ways, we measure material deprivation and wealth; and determine winner and loser, failure and success, progress and regress -- and even realize our destiny.
Numbers are a code with which we contemplate and master complexity and great mass. Numbers are in the spirit -- of Genesis -- when/where God instructs Adam and Eve (Them Africans) to go forth and multiply number with number, and so to dominate:
"Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and every living thing that moves on the earth."
It is with numbers that the human species will do what it is that destiny demands of it. In the universe. In the multiverse, if you please.
Updated: September 8 and 13, 2017
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
A Thought: 11 ~ Comfort Zones
Without comfort zones, life as we know it would not be sustainable against all the dangers and potential predators. Indeed, it would not have begun. There's always need for dens of safety, zones for unhindered and perhaps voracious feeding, and, invariably, certain places for incubation. They are integral to the very idea of territoriality. And territoriality is integral to them. We should never lose sight of their immeasurable value. And yet survival and continued success demand that we constantly think and prudently go beyond them, as parameters and environments change and reveal threats and opportunity in unequal measure. Indeed, they more than nudge us to become uneasy and innovative and doubly unafraid, and even migratory -- and in the end extra-terrestrial.
Saturday, August 22, 2015
On Drones: Tweets and Retweets
- @TheEconomist To suggest that the West has tough(er) regulations on drones due 2 mo congested airspaces is 2 simplify & distort the facts
- @TheEconomist See what I wrote about drones>> http://bit.ly/1AgrZ3x . Even the #WhiteHouse is lately jittery about drones flying everywhere
- @TheEconomist Kenya shd never surrender the operation of any drones to UNHCR, given our experience with their management of #Dadaab
- A playwright turns drones into drama http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-03-24/playwright-turns-drones-drama …
- Drones Are Now Appearing on Afghan Rugs http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/01/drones-are-appearing-on-afghan-rugs/385025/ …
- While U were otherwise engaged, here's what I said about #drones a year ago (already!) http://bit.ly/1oDOW83 , #Mallarme, #Dice, #IoT
- Defence ministry to regulate use of drones on safety fears - Politics and policy - http://businessdailyafrica.com http://disq.us/8lu8w0
- E-commerce firm targets local market with drones delivery - Corporate News - http://businessdailyafrica.com http://disq.us/8kmwx8
- Conflict Economics: Gaza War Helps Market Drones http://www.bloomberg.com/video/israel-drones-gaza-conflict-helps-market-military-weapons-RxmkXR3OS6KGZN24rGQxDw.html … via @BloombergTV http://bloom.bg/1pQR2Sp
- U.S. fighters carry out new air strikes to protect stranded Yazidis http://dailym.ai/1oSiZtn via @MailOnline
- Drones from the deep: Pentagon develops ocean-floor attack robots - Washington Times: http://wtim.es/1i35zDb via @washtimes
- Game of drones: Why Google and Facebook are going head-to-head for control of the skies http://shar.es/Tvuuq via @sharethis
- Australia to buy giant surveillance drones http://disq.us/8hksw5
- @joshkariuki Drones exposed them. A robust UN force has driven them off & will keep them out as DRC gains internal strength & external clout
- How Drones Could Revolutionize Farming http://huff.to/1cJ52rr via @HuffPostBiz
- Drones Could Revolutionize Agriculture, Farmers Say http://huff.to/1cJ52rr via @HuffPostGreen
- Amazon drones are 'fantasy,' says eBay CEO | PCWorld http://www.pcworld.com/article/2070420/amazon-drones-are-fantasy-says-ebay-ceo.html … via @pcworld [Will drones deliver parcel bombs just as easily?]
- Drones? Pshaw. U.S. Navy Unveils Its Laser Weapon System By @addythebaddy http://www.fastcompany.com/3008034/tech-forecast/drones-pshaw-us-navy-unveils-its-laser-weapon-system … via @FastCompany
- Drones over there, total surveillance over here http://aje.me/ZcPTGl via @AJEnglish
- Drones Memo Not Shared With Senate Staffers: Dianne Feinstein http://huff.to/12wXUum via @HuffPostPol
- @Forbes Seasons/swarms of drones, the new locusts, in our long future. Their good 'side' will pale versus the harm/devastation they'll bring
- If Hezbolla has drones, such as was just shot down, Israel must worry if it has real defence v a nuclear-armed enemy http://huff.to/WEfgQw
- Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Drones http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/06/drone-warfare-obama-counterterrorism … via @motherjones
Mauri Yambo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)