Repairing Broken Windows

The Broken Windows theory states that the behavior of actors within a particular situation is a function of its external environment. The theory was explored in an article in the March 1982 edition of The Atlantic Monthly where the authors write:

“Consider a building with a few broken windows. If the windows are not repaired, the tendency is for vandals to break a few more windows. Eventually, they may even break into the building, and if it’s unoccupied, perhaps become squatters or light fires inside.

Or consider a sidewalk. Some litter accumulates. Soon, more litter accumulates. Eventually, people even start leaving bags of trash from take-out restaurants there or breaking into cars.”

These examples articulate the power of context within one’s external environment and the sliding scale of socially acceptable behavior. But it isn’t just social behavior, it is behavior in general. Systems thinking states:

“The behavior of a system is a function of its structure.”

There are many ways forward to try to create a desirable behavior and/or external environment. A systems thinker can take a highly complex system and analyze the relationships between its constituent variables to gain increased understanding on which variable to alter. But I also attest that you can take the power of context to slowly shift the scale of socially acceptable behavior.

Science, Sustainability, and Settlement

If NASA is evolving into an agency serious about bringing humanity sustainably into the cosmos, there are some very serious challenges to create this future over the coming decades. While NASA leadership should determine an approach from the high-level, civil society should bring this meme into the public consciousness, and internal NASA should begin to change its external environment so this may become a reality.

From Space to Safety to Settlement?

Let’s start with the notebook. It is a little thing in the external environment which can be used as a barometer for when the NASA employee earned their chops and rose up through the ranks. If you witness an employee with the Government Green notebook from the 60s, then it is either a scientist who went to grad school during Apollo, someone dreaming of the Apollo times and wishing they were there, or someone that was part of the Apollo program. But the message is the same: Apollo Redux.

Another favorite of mine are the middle managers who went through Franklin Planner mandatory training in the 80s and 90s. They sure are organized taking notes in pencil and highlighting actions.

But what about me? I have my laptop out in all meetings. But sometimes do have a notepad for lists, actions, drawings, sketches, etc.

So, in the 21st Century, what type of notebook should we use? Can it embody the image of Sustainable Settlement? Should it have watermarks on each page for a twitter or a blog post? Should there be quotes at the bottom of each page from prominent historians which embody the image? What type of structure should we put down on the notebook to encourage the behavior we are looking for?

It is the little things that matter; the little things can create the slight possibility for a desired future. Plus, if it is cool enough, then it can get into the geek culture then become trendy.