Using the 1994, South Canyon fire in Colorado as a case study, this article suggests Taylor's (1993) concept of worldview functions as an important "frame" for organizational sensemaking (Weick, 1995a). Taylor argues that organizations use either an "activity" or "particle" orientation. An activity view focuses attention on organizational units while a particle view sees the organization from the point of view of the product or customer. Results from this study indicate that an organization's worldview functions as an overarching metaphor that influences sensemaking and decision-making processes, and that the worldview perspective in retrospective accounts may differ from that of the participants themselves.
Bringing Wisdom to Emerging Technology
We are at an amazing and critical juncture in human history. If we continue on our current path, we face many potential disasters: overpopulation, shortages of water, oil, and raw materials, financial instability, disease, terrorism, war, and the destruction of species and ecosystems (eg. see Jeffrey Sachs "Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet"). But the next few decades will also bring advances in science and technology which may dramatically improve our lives. It is remarkable that we are simultaneously on the verge of major revolutions in biology, neuroscience, psychology, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and fundamental physics.
By the year 2050, nearly 80% of the earth's population will reside in urban centers. Applying the most conservative estimates to current demographic trends, the human population will increase by about 3 billion people during the interim. An estimated 109 hectares of new land (about 20% more land than is represented by the country of Brazil) will be needed to grow enough food to feed them, if traditional farming practices continue as they are practiced today. At present, throughout the world, over 80% of the land that is suitable for raising crops is in use (sources: FAO and NASA). Historically, some 15% of that has been laid waste by poor management practices. What can be done to avoid this impending disaster?
I also contend that thrivability goes beyond sustainability by including social justice. It is not enough to find ways to sustain life and human life on the planet. Real thrivability means no one gets left behind in poverty, exposed unfairly to disaster, or suffers at the hand of corrupt governments.
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