Saturday, May 28, 2022

Situational awareness

He's a nice guy.  He's gentle, and he doesn't challenge what you say.  As a matter of fact, he doesn't really react to what you say.  His conversation is meandering, somewhat random, not controversial, and really doesn't seem to relate to anything that you contribute.

He doesn't seem to be aware of what you say.  Or any of the implications of what you say.  It's not challenging to talk to him, but it isn't really terribly fulfilling either.

In security we talk about situational awareness.  Particularly in terms of physical security or the military, this means being aware of your surroundings and, specifically, any dangers that may be in the environment.  It can be important.

A lot of people just aren't very situationally aware.  Not necessarily even of danger, just in terms of what people are saying, and what what they are saying might mean.  Sometimes situational awareness has to do with observing what's around you, sometimes it has to do with listening to the implications of what people say, and sometimes the way they say it. 

For example, she was giving us details and mentioned a transfer of money.  The way that she mentioned the transfer of money it indicated that this was an e-transfer.  An e-transfer meant that we had, or she had, an email address which could be followed up.  It was an important piece of information.  But only if you are aware of its importance.  And the way she talked about transferring the money.

People can be situational aware of one thing, and not of another.  You tend to be aware of things that you understand or have worked with.  But with things that you don't understand, or haven't studied, you may not be aware of the implications that are implied by their existence.  Gloria was always very aware of social interactions and particularly tensions between individuals in a group.  I never have been.  I have my own aspects of situation awareness, but interpersonal tensions definitely is not one of them.

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