A second month when the only occasions to leave the house required my spouse to accompany me.
Toronto, Ontario
Heartland: Annual Superbowl party hosts serve traditional BBQ burgers and frankfurters. This year was not as cold as some years. Some friendly faces from previous years, some new faces expanding the circle. (Heartland, Mississauga, Ontario) 20180204UToronto iSchool: Service Systems facilitation-presentation by UToronto iSchool graduate students. Getting closer to the current edge of research, so the variety of sources is lower. Citing people whom I know well. (UToronto iSchool, Bissell Building) 20170207UToronto iSchool: Generative pattern language presentation-facilitation by UToronto iSchool graduate students. Started with an example of context-problem-solution, and showed how Christopher Alexander evolved the definitions over time. Citing research up to the bleeding edge at recent conferences. (UToronto iSchool, Bissell Building) 20180207Glorious Chinese Cuisine: Family lunch order becomes complicated, as Special A BBQ Duck and Special C Tilipia comes with 6 + 5 dim sum items, but not choices are acceptable. Waitress came back multiple times, new on the job. Weekday event scheduled because weekends are so busy. (Glorious Chinese Cuisine, Denison Street, Markham, Ontario) 20170208St. Michael’s Family Practice: Medical checkup says no weight gain in the 45 days since cast for Achilles tendon injury was put on. Many years since my last full physical exam, high cholesterol runs in the family, blood pressure is up. Looking forward to behaviour change, made some appointments at clinics, could take 6 months before results. (St. Michael’s Hospital, Family Practice Unit, Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20170209UToronto iSchool: After wrapping up my last lecture of the course, DY saw a poster for Valentine’s Day iTea for iSchool faculty, staff and students, and opted to hang out for 15 minutes in the classroom we just vacated. Picking out some candy into take out cartons, the scrum ran through supply quickly. We don’t usually celebrate February 14. (UToronto iSchool, Bissell Building) 20180214Martin Family Centre: Southern exposure into ambulatory care centre, Donnelly wing (renamed from Queen wing in 2013, dating back to 1928) to the west and south, and the Bond wing dating back to 1892 to the east. Construction in the heart of downtown Toronto has to deal with major legacy constraints. (St. Michale’s Hospital, Martin Family Centre for Outpatient Services, Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario). 20180215Martin Family Centre: Right ankle to be in cast for 2 more weeks, says Dr. Khoshbin. Removed two wedges, foot will be level with ground. Good progress on Achilles tendon healing, but little response to squeezing lower calf leading to an autonomic reflex. Inside the house I should walk without crutches, outside the house, I should use crutches. After 6 weeks with foot pointed down, the cast should now support the foot pointing up into normal position. I will sleep with the cast on for a few more days, and then switch to wearing it for daytime only. Textbook recovery following Fowler Kennedy protocol from Western University. (St. Michael’s Hospital, Martin Family Centre for Outpatient Services, Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20180215Regency Resto: Indian buffet to celebrate AKY’s offer of admission to UToronto Ph.D. program, not Chinese New Year dinner. Also on waitlist for another department, and waiting for responses from other universities, funding may be negotiable. (Regency Restaurant, Little India, Gerrard Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20180216Open Innovation Learning: Presentation is ready, and softcopy book arrived in time for official launch tomorrow night. The printed paper isn’t that expensive, but the ePub is the way to go. The physicality of 690 A4 pages may be easier on the eyes, but the volume is heavy to hold. http://openinnovationlearning.com . (Riverside neighbourhood, Toronto, Ontario) 20180220OCADU: Friendly audience for book launch of Open Innovation Learning @OCADU Auditorium, special session of Systems Thinking Ontario. Demystifies the breadth and depth of research written over 3 years of doctoral studies, stretching back from the 1886 Berne Convention on copyright, to IBM years 1993-2011. Publication is open access reference work, best medium is ePub http://openinnovationlearning.com . Photo courtesy of Chris R. Chapman, @DerailleurAgile (OCADU Auditorium, McCaul Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20`180221OCADU: Sketchnoting @playthink of book launch for Open Innovation Learning at Systems Thinking Ontario. Key ideas captured in real time over a 55-minute lecture given for the first time. https://twitter.com/playthink/status/966521254642683904 Open access book at http://openinnovationlearning.com . (OCADU Auditorium, McCaul Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20180221OCADU: Systems Thinking Ontario panel with Tim Lloyd @perelgut following book launch presentation of Open Innovation Learning. Audience members extending the theory building to make sense in application area relevant to themselves. Open access book at http//openinnovationlearning.com . (Photo courtesy of Noah Ing). (OCADU Auditorium, McCaul Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20170222OCADU: Signing postcard for @petri at book launch for Open Innovation Learning. Open access book is free at http://openinnovationlearning.com , so the traditional momento from an author book signing is modified for the 21st century. A physical book can be published on demand, but it’s better to save some trees! (OCADU Auditorium, McCaul Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20180222OCADU: Physical publication, cover by @celinalaurette “Escape from Plato’s Cave” a reality at book launch for Open Innovation Learning at Systems Thinking Ontario. She’s a graduate of the design program at OCADU, so reception was like a homecoming. More practical medium is the open access ePub at openinnovationlearning.com . (Photo courtesy of Noah Ing). (OCADU, McCaul Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20180222SystemsThinkingTO: Dialogue mapping @DerailleurAgile exercise, Compendium software still works well. Reviewed the full meaning of wicked problems, and some of the history with Horst Rittel, West Churchman and Christopher Alexander. (SystemsThinkingTO, King Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20180222The Theatre Centre: Installation @TheatreCentre@gxcentrik Gabrielle Lasporte Modern Batik brightens up interior. Relaxed cafe/bar with theatre-goers awaiting entry, in the former 1908 Carnegie Library building. (The Theatre Centre, Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20180225The Theatre Centre: Conclusion of #NoForeigners Derek Chan @Aprillx@fuGENTheatre@HongKongExile closing performance. Inventive production with shadow puppets in front of five monitors voiced by live actors, last moments sees real humans in front of the big screen come out of the dark. Full house, with a bright winter Sunday outside. (The Theatre Centre, Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20180225Sumac Creek Health Centre: Paul Shields (2017) “Comfort” and “Reason” paintings featured in quiet corner of a neighbourhood facility of St. Michael’s Hospital. Minor procedure with a way-overqualified surgeon as a followup to a family practice physical checkup a few weeks ago. In the Canadian medical system, an unexciting visit is welcomed. (Sumac Creek Medical Centre, St. Michael’s Hospital, Regent Park Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario) 20180226
Cineplex Eglinton: Experimented with Black Panther in a 2D IMAX conventional room. Enjoyed the movie, but can’t say that the image quality was noticeably better than on a regular screen. Seat was about 1/3 from the front, dead center, so screen filled field of view. For a 4pm Tuesday movie, there were less than 20 customers, so viewers may have targeted the 7pm 3D version. (Cineplex Eglinton Town Centre, Lebovic Avenue, Scarborough, Ontario) 20180227
Ankle in a cast, a limited mobility month, maximum 10km from home
Toronto, Ontario
Perfect Chinese Restaurant: New Year’s dinner to hear about father’s 40-day trip to Asia. One son absent in the U.S., but not the usual one. Normalcy from holiday season should return next week. (Perfect Chinese Restaurant, Sheppard Avenue East, Scarborough, Ontario) 20180101Lifelabs: A series of waiting rooms for medical labs and clinics all in on morning is better than making multiple trips. Following through on previously-scheduled appointments was manageable with Uber rides, crutches and a found wheelchair at the hospital. (Lifelabs, Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20180102Bissell Building: UToronto iSchool students self-organizing into teams who will lead presentation-facilitation in the Systems Thinking, Systems Design Information Workshop running for 6 weeks. Started lecture with student reading the syllabus on their phones and computers, due to AV issues with equipment in the room. (Bissell Building, St. George Street, University of Toronto) 20180110St. Michael’s Hospital: Switched to air cast from plaster splint after 19 days. Doctor said the Achilles tendon seems to be healing well, but can’t give strong diagnosis until next appointment, 31 days away. Changing from totally non-weight-bearing to being able to balance on toe. Can removed air cast for showers at night, but will be sleeping with two wedge inserts as treatment. The air chambers aren’t to be pumped up until wedges are removed. (St. Michael’s Hospital, Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20180115UToronto iSchool: Object Process Methodology presentation-facilitation led by UToronto iSchool students who described themselves as far from engineering types. Stepped through slides, then showed prepared example in Opcat software downloaded from Technion. They then further engaged the class by leading collaborative live modelling of a making a snowman. Showing the methods side in the Systems Thinking, Systems Design course. (UToronto iSchool, Bissell Building) 20170117
National Historic site, just south of busy Highway 401, Lock 1 is southernmost, and first of 44. Constructed 1908-1912, the boats can be raised 18 feet up from the level of the Bay of Quinte. Thicker concrete allowed for wagon valves chambers along side walls, rather than more expensive sluice gates. (Lock #1 Trent-Severn Waterway, […]
Away from city centre, deli has been a Montreal institution since 1946. Single order of smoked meat platter with rye bread and fries was sufficient for three diners. Broader menu included smoked whitefish chunks appetizer with salad, plus potato latkes with applesauce and sour cream. (Snowden Deli, Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec) 20250427
Possibly obsessive purchase, it's unclear how many bagels will be consumed in a few days, and how many into freezer. One dozen poppyseed, 6 sesame, 6 blueberry, 2 pumpernickel, plus assorted others. Resorted into plastic bags on the drive in traffic. (St. Viateur Bagel, St. Viateur Ouest, Montreal, Quebec) 20250427
Pilgramage for Montreal bagels (not Montreal-style) fresh from the oven. Samples on entry of avocado cream cheese, plus spicy avocado non-dairy, suggest a Quebec version of avocado toast. Plastic freezer bag offered in addition to paper bags. (St. Viateur Bagel, St. Viateur Ouest, Montreal, Quebec) 20250427
First stop on the way home was a specialty bakery. Consuming in the car, described the chocolate croissant as enjoyable and flaky, although he doesn't have previous experience withthe butter and wheat version. The bakery was discovered on a prior trip to the city. (Parc Sans Gluten, Avenue du Parc-La Fontaine Plateaux, Montréal, Quebec) 20250427
Post-theatre dessert with family, discussing Mean Girls The Musical. We had planned to hold up letters in the theatres as the cast was taking bows, but audience rose too quickly. Continued evening in hotel lobby until after midnight. (Yoyo, Rue Sainte-Catherine Est, Montreal, Quebec) 20250426
Place des Arts: Cast of Mean Girls The Musical taking bows on Saturday night performance. Owen Kent Ing stepping up from ensemble role to Kevin G this evening. He will have appeared in 150 shows by end of tour, having joined the company last year. (Place des Arts, Rue Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, Quebec) 20250426
Seven seats ready for Saturday night performance of touring company for Mean Girls, The Musical. Nephew in cast, in Montreal for 6 days, following Dallas, Texas, and before Boston, Massachusetts. We preferred visiting Quebec, rather than London Ontario in late May. (Place des Arts, Rue Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, Quebec) 20250426
Pre-theatre family dinner, including dim sum for cousins who don't get the option as often as we do. Second order of main dishes left much to take home. Short walk away from Places des Artes. (Restaurant Chinatown Kim Fung, Rue Sainte-Urbain, Montreal, Quebec) 20240426
luminum relief Frank Stella (1990) The Pitchpoling D-17, 2X. Inspired by Herman Melville (1851) Moby Dick novel, type of harpooning with a lance. Chaotic and explosive surface, negative spaces with silhouettes. (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal, Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec) 20250426
Two years after submitting an academic manuscript and responding to double-blind reviews, “Rethinking work, with the pandemic disruption” has now been published in the International Journal of Organization Theory and Behavior (IJOTB) as earlycite. The article has a DOI (Document Object Identifier), and should be streamed with an official volume and issue number soon. The […]
The 128th meeting of Systems Thinking Ontario was convened in person. The classroom was filled with current students, alumni, our regular participants, and a few curious newcomers. Moderated by Zaid Khan, the conversation was sparked by Stephen Davies and myself (David Ing) on the evolving styles in learning systems thinking. Stephen has been leading SFIN-6011 […]
The “Understanding Systems” SFIN-6011 course is a requirement in the master’s program in Strategic Foresight and Innovation at OCADU. For winter 2025, the class is now led by Stephen Davies, breaking the incremental evolving of content since 2008. While still on faculty at OCADU, the original course designer Peter H. Jones is now a Distinguished […]
In the 1970s, five ways of knowing were established by C. West Churchman in The Design of Inquiring Systtems. In the 1990s, his student Ian Mitroff carried on the tradition and extended that work in The Unbounded Mind. Now in the 2020s, the technology of Generative AI opens up opportunties to query or request responses […]
For readers with an interest deeper than the 15-minute presentation given in August, the Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Socio-Technical Perspectives in Information Systems (STPIS 2024) have now been formally publishied. The invited paper on “Reifying Socio-Technical and Socio-Ecological Perspectives for Systems Changes: From rearranging objects to repacing rhythms” was reviewed by the […]
The 125th meeting of Systems Thinking Ontario coincided with the closing day for the RSD13-RSDX online program. As a regular systems convening group, we’ve had monthly meetings since January 2013. Zaid Khan moderated a discussion including me (David Ing), Tim Lloyd, Allenna Leonard, and Kelly Okamura. We recollected starting as a spinoff from Design with […]
David L. Hawk (American management theorist, architect, and systems scientist) has been hosting a weekly television show broadcast on Bold Brave Tv from the New York area on Wednesdays 6pm ET, remotely from his home in Iowa. Live, callers can join…Read more ›
Following the first day lecture on Philosophy of Chinese Medicine 1 for the Global University for Sustainability, Keekok Lee continued on a second day on some topics: * Anatomy as structure; physiology as function (and process); * Process ontology, and thing ontology; * Qi ju as qi-in-concentrating mode, and qi san as qi-in-dissipsating mode; and […]
The philosophy of science underlying Classical Chinese Medicine, in this lecture by Keekok Lee, provides insights into ways in which systems change may be approached, in a process ontology in contrast to the thing ontology underlying Western BioMedicine. Read more ›
In conversation, @zeynep with @ezraklein reveal authentic #SystemsThinking in (i) appreciating that “science” is constructed by human collectives, (ii) the west orients towards individual outcomes rather than population levels; and (iii) there’s an over-emphasis on problems of the moment, and…Read more ›
In the question-answer period after the lecture, #TimIngold proposes art as a discipline of inquiry, rather than ethnography. This refers to his thinking On Human Correspondence. — begin paste — [75m26s question] I am curious to know what art, or…Read more ›
How might our society show value for the long term, over the short term? Could we think about taxation over time, asks @carlotaprzperez in an interview: 92% for 1 day; 80% within 1 month; 50%-60% tax for 1 year; zero tax for 10 years.Read more ›
In 2024, WordPress Studio was released, making installation on a local computer simpler. The instructions were modified from MacOS to Ubuntu Linux, by Daniel Kossmann, “How to install WordPress Studio in Ubuntu Linux” | Jun 15, 2024 at https://www.danielkossmann.com/how-to-install-wordpress-studio-ubuntu-linux/ I already had NVM installed, but in Terminal, with the result “command not found”. In the […]
The appreciation of change is different in Western philosophy than in classical Chinese philosophy. JeeLoo Lin published a concise contrast on differences. Let me parse the Introduction to the journal article, that is so clearly written. The Chinese theory of time is built into a language that is tenseless. The Yijing (Book of Changes) there […]
In trying to place the World Hypotheses work of Stephen C. Pepper (with multiple root metaphors), Nicholas Rescher provides a helpful positioning. — begin paste — Philosophical perspectivism maintains that substantive philosophical positions can be maintained only from a “perspective” of some sort. But what sort? Clearly different sorts of perspectives can be conceived of, […]
Finding proper words to express system(s) change(s) can be a challenge. One alternative could be diachrony. The Oxford English dictionary provides two definitions for diachronic, the first one most generally related to time. (The second is linguistic method) diachronic ADJECTIVE Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “diachronic (adj.), sense 1,” July 2023, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/3691792233. For completeness, prochronic relates “to […]
The selection of readings in the “Introduction” to Systems Thinking: Selected Readings, volume 2, Penguin (1981), edited by Fred E. Emery, reflects a turn from 1969 when a general systems theory was more fully entertained, towards an urgency towards changes in the world that were present in 1981. Systems thinking was again emphasized in contrast […]
