Weekly Review Issue no. 4
Somatic experiencing, re-thinking problem solving, and a 400-year old melody
Hello! Welcome to new subscribers, thank you for signing up. I hope you will find at least one thing here that will improve or change your day and week. Let’s get to it.
This week for me
I’ve also finished a period of Somatic Experiencing (SE), which has really transformed my relationship with my body. It is quite soul-expanding to find ways to deeply feel things that were previously buried or suppressed. I hope to write up some reflections soon because I do feel that more people could benefit from working with someone trained in SE.
Research on the edges
🤷🏻♂️ Why we should stop describing design as “problem solving”
Claiming that design can solve the world’s myriad problems is a mix of hubris, marketing, and misunderstanding. The “problems” that matter—the wicked problems, messes, or tangles that threaten our existence—cannot be “solved” in the sense of “put right” so that they disappear. Instead, we must manage them on an ongoing basis, both globally and locally, through generative conversations. This requires a change in our view of the world, of ourselves, and of design.
👨👩👧👦 Dying, But Not Alone
Being human also means being frail, vulnerable, and mortal. It doesn’t tarnish our dignity to acknowledge these realities or live under them. Indeed, it is an expression of our dignity when we acknowledge our mutual dependence on one another.
🔥 The psychology of climate anxiety
Climate anxiety is heightened in those that are aware of and feel the existential threat of climate change, by the fact that most of us, most of the time, act as if it does not exist. The poverty of collective responses to climate change is in stark contrast to its threat. Why do we not act? This section explores four psychological hypotheses, the role of anxiety for each, and comparisons with psychosocial responses to COVID-19
Shameless plug
I’ll be talking at the Royal Society of Medicine in January to explore how digital technologies can enable people to have a more satisfactory end of life experience. I’ll be talking about Palliate, particularly how technology can support accessibility in training. Join me! You can buy tickets here.
🎧 Listen
Listened to Paul Simon’s American Tune the other day and was taken by the melody. Turns out it has a really interesting history. Have a listen to these 2 pieces and read this great write-up about a wonderful 400-year old melody.
🤔 Last thought
See you next time 👋🏻
“We are here to help each other get through this thing, whatever it is.”