Second (and third) thoughts: Second-order cybernetics and deconstruction

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Graham Harris v3By Graham Harris

The old saw says “many a true word is spoken in jest.” and this has been proven by Terry Pratchett who wrote the following in one of his witty Disc World novels:

“First thoughts are everyday thoughts. Everyone has those. Second thoughts are the thoughts you think about the way you think. People who enjoy thinking have those. Third thoughts are thoughts that watch the world and think all by them selves. They’re rare and often troublesome. Listening to them is part of witchcraft.” (A Hat full of sky, 2004, Disc World novel #32, footnote 2, p. 74). Continue reading →

Floods and Social Media: Coping with the Deluge 1

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Rodney ClarkeBy Associate Professor Rodney Clarke

Social media platforms are proliferating globally both in terms of the number of platforms and also the intensity of their use. Some countries use Twitter as a valid source of emergency information and incorporate it as one of the primary sources of emergency intelligence. Continue reading →

Public Infrastructure Investment in the 2000s: Lessons from the ‘Perfect Storm’

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Joe Branigan for blogBy Joe Branigan

Australia’s ongoing productivity performance and standards of living depend fundamentally on efficient and high quality infrastructure. Perhaps no other area more directly showcases the quality of current and past government administrations than decisions on public infrastructure — including how it is planned, prioritised, funded and delivered. Continue reading →

Thinking Systems #3: Thinking about Systems Theory

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Graham Harris v3By Graham Harris

It is always instructive to take a step back from the coalface occasionally and to take a look at the history of particular disciplines. More often than not it is possible to see that certain sets of ideas became the bedrock of our thinking – and that others did not. Continue reading →

Thinking Systems #2: Rethinking the Enlightenment project for the 21st century

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Graham Harris v3By Graham Harris

When we try to manage systems of systems with both “hard” engineered aspects and “soft” living components we often have problems in achieving desired outcomes, in obtaining evidence of system change and in getting our act together in the first place – just think of the ongoing debates about climate change! After at least two decades we are still arguing about the predictions of global warming, what the goal might be and the best way to go about emissions control. In such debates science, politics, values and beliefs are completely intertwined. Continue reading →

Synchronisation of Key Travel Modes within a Transportation Hub

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MichelleBy Dr Michelle Dunbar

In many modern cities, transport infrastructure has typically developed according to a radial pattern, in response to urban-sprawl. However, as the population continues to grow and spread outwards from the CBD, existing transport infrastructure may be insufficient to cope with the increased travel demand. This may in turn lead to inaccessibility to public transport for commuters in these areas, resulting in increased car usage; exacerbating traffic congestion. Continue reading →

Thinking Systems #1

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Graham Harris v3By Graham Harris

Welcome to a new SMART blog topic – all about systems: about what they are, and the ways we think about them, value them, construct them in our minds and in real life, and (try to) manage them. Continue reading →

Infrastructure in the 22nd Century: Report

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In May, SMART Infrastructure joined with the NSW Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for a forum entitled: Planning NSW Infrastructure in the Twenty-Second Century.

The PAC has just released it’s report on the forum.

The Committee recommends that the NSW Government review the issues and
themes outlined in this report and advise the Committee on NSW’s long term
infrastructure planning and delivery capabilities

Access the full report [PDF] and view the PAC’s webpage on forum proceedings here.