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Charging Stations
You are out and about and your phone runs out of power – what are your options? Something you see a lot in Asia but not yet in Europe or the US is public alternatives for charging mobile phones. These...
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Perceived Threat, Perceived Security
Street market in Lhasa sells a wide range of underwear with security pocket for men (shown but not tested) and women. We’ve had blind user study participants in India who used scent amongst other...
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Early Mornings, Threatening Postures
The research team has decamped to the coastal town of Kobrasol and for me at least the jetlag is a chance to experience the city in the early hours. I quite like the extra time and space that is...
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Everyday Security Obsessed
A metro-using Paulista shields his back pack by wearing a coat. Given all the security and theft stories both prior to and on arrival in Brazil this kind of most-obviously concerned-with-theft wearing...
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Clearing Hotel Security
The ASEM summit that is being held in Helsinki and today’s hotel check-in is somewhat different to the usual. The SAS Royal is hosting the Malaysian and Singapore delegations and the lobby has been...
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An Open Invitation to Riot
“Under security camera surveillance” “Please do not get into mischief”
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Paranoia / Re-assurance / Paranoia / etc
A furniture store staff entrance. Mirrors to check you, to check self. The documentation, self-documentation arms race.
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Sit, please Sitt
He nods at the chair and, I’m going to attempt phonetic accuracy here, intones me to “sitt a huwhyle”. When you’re a new guest in another man’s home you do as you’re told. And so it is. Uzbekistan’s...
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Traces
A cable that runs between the body of this Japanese toilet and the seat – to power the under-seat heating. Having an exposed cable is a surprising design choice given the issues related to cleanliness...
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The Ice Cream Man Cometh
What goes through your mind when you hear the jingle of an ice-cream van? Maybe it offers up the promise of summer – hanging out with friends, a chance to go where you want, when you want. But for...
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Unintentional Design: Kabul Sidewalks
Concrete blast-walls a feature of the green zone in Kabul – creating raised sidewalks for pedestrians wishing to be one step away from the road.
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Ownership = Target
Spotted on a few occasions in and around Beijing – cars with wheels protected from the bursting bladders of passing dogs. A scattergun of thoughts to match a fractured week… How pissed off are car...
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Home and Castles II
Been thinking a lot about social aspects of security systems recently, and cultures and contexts where its common to have a nightwatchman. Your neighbourhood has a nightwatchman right? The patrol...
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Security Check
If there’s one thing about doing a lot of travel on hand luggage it’s the fine selection of ‘security checked’ stickers that collected along the way.
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Welcome To Shop Here Thief
Interesting local detail for shoppers at this Shanghai Ikea – customers can place their bags in a locker or carry them around the store in this sealed red security bag – sealed with a tag that a...
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Security Prep
Interested in how the design of the security checkpoint at Hongqiao airport supports communication and support between members of different teams. It’s all very service industry focussed compared to...
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Car (Key) Hacks
Visitors to China wanting to duplicate a lost car key (or interested in knowing how easy it is to remotely steal someone else’s key) should head down to Shanghai’s Yi Tong International Automobile...
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Managing Expectations in the Org
In Cairo for a week of client research, workshops and keynotes – its good to be back in this great country – my fourth visit here. Working out of a downtown hotel, with a team of 6, plus three local...
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Bag, Unattended
A long weekend cruising around Seoul, including refills in many fine coffee establishments. This photo captures one of those fine ‘I’m not back home’ feeling – two women leaving their handbags bags...
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Police & Thieves
Been enjoying some late night/early morning walks through the urban landscape that is distinctly Lagos – dark streets puntuated up by small groups huddled around paraffin lamps taking in some late...
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Yesterday’s Office
Memories of Tim Burton’s Batman. Arrived late into Sante Fe with a few dollars, a backback and teenage energy planning to eventually meet up with a friend before heading down to the border. Regulars...
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Welcome. With Conditions.
How this church deals with the “welcome to the house of (our) god” versus a high level of street break-ins – security gates inside the double-doors. Many homes in the Mission include the addition of...
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Ticket Gate Experience
It’s been a while since I’ve passed through Vienna, pleasantly surprised at the balance between the functional aspects of the airport such as the information architecture and the the more...
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The 10 Emotional Stages of Working in High Risk Environments
I wrote the following article for a research paper In the Hands of God: A Study of Risk & Savings in Afghanstan, but since it didn’t quite fit the central narrative, I’ll publish it here. ~ How do...
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