“The predominant mode of treating this topic [error] is to consider the human as a hazard, a system component whose unsafe acts are implicated in the majority of catastrophic breakdowns. But there is another perspective, one that has been relatively little studied in its own right, and that is the human as a hero, a system element whose adaptations and compensations have brought troubled systems back from the brink of disaster.”

James Reason The Human Contribution: Unsafe Acts, Accidents and Heroic Recoveries. Photo by NASA. Mission Control celebrates successful splashdown of Apollo 13. This was the third manned mission by NASA that was intended to land on the moon, but a mid-mission technical malfunction forced the lunar landing to be aborted. 

Program Details:

We need to learn as much as we can about how to identify sources of ignorance and error in thought, learning and action, and the disciplined effort required to control and move beyond them. The combined record of human striving achievement and failure, across cultures, fields of endeavor and periods of history is our source. 

While the nature and significance of ignorance has been mapped to some degree in the meta framework, error has not received as much attention. Error is a complex construct that Ken hasn’t been prepared to take on – until recently. This online program will focus on the meaning and significance of error with five objectives:

• Map the dynamics of error, filling in a gap in the MFW
• Develop a deeper understanding of types & levels errors, why they occur and what it takes to keep from repeating them again & again
• Foster insights into structural ignorance & what it takes for adaptive reconstruction
• Illustrate the process of concept mapping
• Support a practical interest in observing and learning from one’s own errors & the errors of others

This program will include monthly two hour online sessions, October – April and a 1 day get-together in May to share maps, writing and reflections.   

Online Sessions: 6:30 – 8:30 pm MST on Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, Mar. 10, Apr. 14 via Zoom (link to be sent out prior)
In-Person Session: May 23 & 24 at Kim’s place outside Cochrane

Cost: $575 + GST Open to all alumni of LE, LC, HVL programming. 

Read the full program overview and find the recommended reading.