Latest thinking

Aren't you being a little, y'know, Dystopian?

Blog

03 Jan 2013

Jonathan Rowson

The Argentinian genius, Jorge Luis Borges once described Utopia as "a Greek word meaning 'there is no such place'"

New Year, so where's the new stationery?

Blog

02 Jan 2013

For many of us, today is the first day back at work after the Christmas break. It’s the time for fresh starts, clean pages, and resolutions. The clichés tell us that the New Year is an opportunity to put some distance between ourselves and last year’s bad habits, ill-advised decisions and unhealthy obsessions.

What makes work meaningful?

Blog

01 Nov 2012

Jonathan Rowson

This morning I was looking forward to taking part in a workshop hosted by the Spiritual Capital Foundation led by RSA Fellow Naftali Brawer. Alas, some unexpected and depleting events at home made it difficult for me to attend, and rather than arrive late, flustered, and distracted, I felt the wisest course was to offer my thoughts remotely. So with apologies to Naftali, and the other participants whom I hope to meet later, here is what I would like to have shared.

How old is old?

Blog

29 Oct 2012

I recently had a very interesting conversation with a colleague, stimulated by an exciting new project we’re about to embark on, which will explore attitudes to and perceptions of old age.

Values, attitudes and behaviours: Which box would you tick?

Blog

03 Sep 2012

Jonathan Rowson

Here is an important and rather difficult multiple choice question for people interested in behaviour change. Which of the following best represents your understanding of what makes people change how they think and act?

Why we disagree about climate change: 30(!) wedge issues

Blog

23 Aug 2012

Jonathan Rowson

Climate change has moved from being predominantly a physical phenomenon to being simultaneously a social phenomenon. And these two phenomenon are very different...It is a story about the meeting of Nature and Culture. - Mike Hulme.

The (Mind) Games: are you training your brain enough?

Blog

26 Jul 2012

Gaia Marcus

It’s not just your legs that benefit from a good work-out: they say that learning new things is the key to keeping that most treasured possession: your mind. How often do you give yours a good work out? How often do you learn new things, challenge your known things, challenge your assumptions and your words? My word is ‘networks’, my assumptions leftish by way of human rights, and I know that I do not challenge these enough.

Does 'Oxytocin Man' have real magic powers?

Blog

20 Jul 2012

Jonathan Rowson

Oxytocin Man is Paul Zak, and the quick answer to the title question seems to be 'no'.

Observation and Permission: The Handmaidens of Curiosity?

Blog

05 Jul 2012

Jonathan Rowson

The Power of Curiosity – some thoughts by Dennis Sherwood*