Bridge

Bridge the Gap

I was writing most of the day. The topic was once again concerned with trying to cross paradigmatic divides. These are mostly cognitive in nature and due to our own subjective and then combined social constructions.

A bridge on the other hand is a physical construction. They come in all shapes and sizes, from primitive but exciting rope bridges, to steel girders held together by rivets, to steel suspension bridges. This picture depicts a very recent bridge with a fairly innovative design. It is effectively a suspension bridge but with one central pillar. We are blessed with bridges in Newcastle - the favourites being the Millenium bridge or the very famous Tyne Bridge.

So, did I manage to develop my arguments about crossing paradigmatic divides using 'soft' or interpretivist methods? Only time will tell, but I fear that the long established prejudice of the more quantitatively inclined academics, the STEM crowd, will not be inclined to judge our work kindly. We like to deal with the world as a 'wicked' problem and take human intentions and actions into account when we design new systems. Engineers think that everything can be 'engineered' like a bridge. Too many managers also think this way and do not take account of human nature, intentions, complex behaviours and basic desire for autonomy. Not that everyone wants to be emancipated perhaps?

Am getting closer to reconciling that paradigmatic divide.

Journal editors - please be kind to me!