Finds

№ 13 | Future of Work, Failing Systems, HEAR, Diverse Networks, and Clouds & Clocks

Stephen P. Anderson

Nov 11, 2022 — 2 min read

7 Mythical Arguments against the future of work

I enjoyed this piece taking on “Seven arguments against the future of work.” Fun read. Critical thinking. Bonus points for all the hand-drawn (and humorous) illustrations.

18 Ways Complex Systems Fail

Short, and to the point! I came across this by way of a very strong recommendation from twitter user Ethan Mollick:

Read these 3 pages. I post them every so often because I think it is some of the tightest, wisdom-packed writing on managing complex systems ever.

And almost every system is a complex system today, which is why cascading failures are swirling around us

For a less pixel-based version, check out how.complexsystems.fail (Same content).

HEAR Model

I only caught part of this Hidden Brain podcast on a recent drive home, but the bits I heard have been rattling around in my noggin (I’ll catch the rest of the episode later!). In this episode on “Relationships 2.0: How To Keep Conflict From Spiraling,” author, Julia Minson discusses “conversational receptiveness” and mediation. Building on the listening triangle used in mediation (the whole “reflect back what you hear” thing), Julia Minson introduces her ‘HEAR model’:

H is for Hedging. (“Some people might say…” Or, “Occasionally bla, bla, bla…”)
E stands for Emphasize agreement.
A stands for Acknowledgment. Repeating back what the other person said
R stands for Reframe to the positive. Saying the exact same message using positive language instead of negative language. Instead of, “I just hate it when people interrupt me,” you say, “I really appreciate it when people let me finish.”

Diversity = Innovation

“How Twitter Users Can Generate Better Ideas.” New data backing up an old idea: The more diverse a network we have (in other words, exposure to different perspectives and ideas), the more we create conditions “conducive to innovation and better idea generation.” See also: The Renaissance and The Medici Effect.

Speaking of twitter…

Clouds and Clocks

I'd forgotten about this theory/analogy, which hypothesizes that there were two kinds of problems in the world: cloud problems, and clock problems—used here explain what's going on with Musk/Twitter. I think this also pairs nicely with Cynefin's complicated vs complex problems.

№ 83 | Stop Project 2025 Comics, Future for All: A vision for 2048, eyeConnect Cards, The Rule Book, and the Effects of Geography on Voting

This edition of the newsletter comes a couple days later than usual, but for a wonderful reason—I spent 5 days last week playing board games with my friends at BGG Con. 🎲 🤩 Next issue will resume the normal Sunday schedule! 🥸Reminder: If you're participating in the Create A

№ 82 | Pebble Talk, The Mood Meter, 3 Styles of Play, A Convection Simulation, an Electoral College Simulation, and What If America Had 6 Political Parties?

📍In case you missed it… Throughout November, I’m hosting another Creative Challenge: Create A Real Life Character Sheet. About 15 people have signed up so far, and there’s space for a few more folks—you should join us! Pebble Talk Here’s a way to avoid awkward small

Creative Challenge #3: Create A Real Life Character Sheet

Welcome, new readers. From time to time, I organize “Creative Challenges,” that fit with the whole “playful things to think with” theme. Previously, there was a One Card Serious Game Challenge, followed by the Make a Zine Challenge. I hadn’t planned on doing another Creative Challenge until next year

№ 81 | Scientific Papers as Comic Strips, 52 Things About Cards, Thermodynamics Cards, Collaborative Place Futures Toolkit, and Why The Work is Never Just “The Work”

✉️Look for 2 extra special emails heading your way, later this week! 1/ The promised print-and-play Zombie Leadership cards. 2/ An announcement about our next Creative Challenge… Scientific Papers as Comic Strips Yes! Comics as things to think with. Here’s an interview with Kanaka Rajan, who uses “narrative illustrations