I think broadly and deeply about our current situations, believing that our problems present enormous opportunities for improvement.

Decided on a career in manufacturing by age 12 … loved the sheer creativity (on several levels); the precision; the blend of art and science with the applied technology.

At age 15 (1985) began invaluable corporate work experience: unhindered access as a messenger to 700+ head office staff of a major Canadian publishing firm provided a wealth of learning over the years. In particular, immeasurable insight into ‘flows’ of  information and people – dynamical systems in action; as well as business processes.

Knowledge of dynamical systems (complexity) came naturally. A startling realization about the emergent properties of complex systems occurred in my teen years.

Most important was the derivative learning – about the learning itself: that ‘scale’ is a critical aspect – the distance of my vantage point from above allowed ‘enough’ detail to be seen; and, many years of frequent viewing (time scale): in this case, ‘colonies’ of various plants could be seen as ‘wholes’ moving over the landscape … over time.

With this ‘lens’ of enlightenment, my surroundings at any time was my laboratory. Since then, my field of study has been primarily dynamical systems of the urban realm – that  observed with unaided eye, including traffic patterns (cars; crowds of people); personal and group behaviour (crowds) as a function of urban structure; urban change in time.

Formal schooling in Tool Design; turned away from manufacturing career for ethical (and practical) reasons – not wanting to contribute my skills to produce war materiel; junk; etc.

Extensive independent study/research and design in a wide range of fields: systems; ecological economics; organizational design; behavioural, group psychology; eco-architecture (eco’tecture); urban agriculture, permaculture; community, urban design. And more.

http://davidnock.com/