NOTES FROM THE FIELD

A place to think out loud.

NOTE 015 — PATTERN BLINDNESS

Patterns often don't look like patterns from the inside.

2026-04-01

NOTE 014 — TAKES ONE TO KNOW-ONE

At a recent football game an opposition coach accused our young team of timewasting. As I assured him we have never done that (or even discussed it). The reason it was on his mind? Because he encourages that and similar behaviours in his team. This pattern can be seen everywhere. Those who cry 'fake news' are the most likely to exploit the ability to create news in the first place.

2026-03-31

NOTE 013 — LOAD PATTERNS

While recently recovering from injury I've been reminded of the importance of tolerating load. Systems are the same - if the load is close to or above capacity for too long the system will fail. With an injury load must be added slowly to avoid further breakdown. With a system capacity must be increased and tested within reasonable limits if the system is to adapt.

2026-03-30

NOTE 012 — THE STRENGTH OF PATTERNS

Patterns are everywhere. If you can see them and how they cross disciplines you can begin to use them or disrupt them.

2026-03-28

NOTE 011 — THE POWER OF A HEADLINE

Saw this headline today - “Mary Rand - the trailblazing Olympic champion who caught Mick Jagger's eye”. Big thanks to the BBC for reminding us that while it’s one thing to be a groundbreaking Olympian, catching the eye of a male rockstar is an equally significant life achievement.

2026-03-27

NOTE 010 — HOW WE LEARN

The world never seems to focus on how we learn. I’ve just completed an online course for work which didn’t take any learning theory into account. It’s the same at my child’s school. Surely the most valuable thing to teach is how to learn.

2026-03-26

NOTE 009 — ADHD APP

I’d like an ADHD app that nests narratives or actions under important themes. It would then layer down to tiny actions or things the user does not want to rely on working memory for.

2026-03-25

NOTE 008 — WHERE SUSTAINABILITY WORKS BEST

Being sustainable as an individual is hard work.

Higher up the chain the relationship between effort and effect is more efficient. But the added friction is different priorities and the accepted way of doing things.

2026-03-25

NOTE 007 — LOCAL WORKING

What would change if there were hubs where home workers can work together in every suburb?

2026-03-24

NOTE 006 — SHIFTING THE NORMAL

If what is considered 'normal' is one of the main drivers for society, then shifting narratives can be a gamechanger.

2026-03-23

NOTE 005 — REWARD SYSTEMS AND CONTEXT

Our reward systems prioritise different things in face-to-face interactions compared to digital, but for some people the lines are blurring.

2026-03-22

NOTE 004 — ALGORITHMS AND THE MIDDLE GROUND

Algorithms don’t select moderate voices because human reward systems don’t.

2026-03-21

NOTE 003 — AI WASTAGE

If being polite to AI chatbots wastes huge amounts of energy, stopping unnecessary 'thinking' could make a huge difference.

Processing that's based on incorrect prompts the user wants to change or refine can't be halted.

So much energy could be saved with an abort button.

2026-03-20

NOTE 002 — THE PREVALENCE OF SYSTEMS

The majority of outputs are the result of systems, and institutions are built on systems.

2026-03-19

NOTE 001 — PEOPLE AND SYSTEMS

When outputs reflect the design of the system, changing the people will have a neglible effect.

2026-03-18