Advances in technology and human psychology that might provide us the opportunity for a sustainable future
In this section I am researching the opportunities that digital age advances in technology and our latest understanding of human psychology and collaborative techniques might bring to enabling sustainable management of the common good.
The key technologies which have the potential to enable far greater productivity in public services include:
- Ubiquitous internet connectivity
As greater numbers of people across the world’s communities gain access to affordable internet services, a different model for delivery of public services becomes possible. Efficient, mass-customised public services are becoming a real option.
- Big data and sensor networks
Our ability to acquire, manage and visualise huge data sets is a major advancement for understanding the complexity of human and natural systems. This includes the merging of data acquired through human processes and the growing number of automated data collected through computer-based robots and sensors.
- Improved systems engineering
Our practice in the art and science of computer-based systems engineering is still very young compared with other fields but is advancing very rapidly. New and improved computer-based systems engineering methodologies are enabling ‘continuous adaption’ of complex systems towards greater performance optimisation and greater functionality. This is enabling far faster advancement across all fields of human endeavour than has previously been possible.
Our understanding of human psychology and collaborative techniques
We have advanced our understanding of human psychology and the motivational aspects of human behaviour. Some of the key research areas include:
- Positive psychology
- Group behavioural science
- Self-organisation
- Collaborative design and implementation techniques such as design-thinking (also known as human-centred design, co-design)
***
Combining systems-thinking to understand how complex eco-systems operate, together with techniques such as design-thinking to enable collaborative and iterative development of human-friendly processes is a primary part of the Kractal Project approach.
I will be publishing more details on each of the topics above and how they are being utilised in the Kractal Framework. For more information please see our next section The Kractal Framework.