Overview
Technology is ubiquitous, possibly even rising to the level of secular religion. I am no Luddite; I work in a technical field and am grateful for the many benefits of modern technology. Yet, there are troublesome aspects to technology. It is often said that engineering is "controlling the forces and materials of nature for the benefit of the human race" but it is increasingly unclear how well we are controlling the forces of nature and whether we are working for the benefit of the human race in a meaningful way. Complex systems research suggests that technology may now be actually increasing the magnitude and type of uncertainty humanity faces. This is especially important as we increasingly place our hopes in the potential that technology has to solve our problems from the individual level to the global; from life hack apps to geo-engineered climate change solutions. The TUGL group engages in practical reflection to learn how to best contend with these contemporary realities as individuals and as a society. By inquiring about the "good life" we ask how we can we live to improve our expectations of flourishing as people. Our goal is to distill this information and guidance in a way that we can present to users and creators of technology.
Current Projects
TUGL isn't organized around compartmentalized research projects as are EBRS and RSIC. TUGL is an ongoing exploration based on reading, discussion, living, and writing. In the short-term, this will take the form of articles mostly of an academic nature. If these show promise, maybe a general audience book will follow. Perhaps a blog. Time and fortune will tell.
Principal Publications
T. Rodriguez-Nikl (2017)."Using Systems Thinking to Achieve Sustainability and Disaster Resilience" in Handbook of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, C. Madu and C.-H. Kuei, eds., 139-169. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1142/9789813207950_0006.
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W. Bulleit, J. Schmidt, I. Alvi, E. Nelson, T. Rodriguez-Nikl (2014), "Philosophy of Engineering: What It Is and Why It Matters", J. of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice. In print: 2015, 141(3), 02514003. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EI.1943-5541.0000205.
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T. Rodriguez-Nikl and C.B. Brown (2012), "A systems approach to civil engineering decisions", J. of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 138(4), 257-261. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EI.1943-5541.0000116.
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Classes
I teach a freshman-level section in the Honors College's Reading LA sequence. The class explores the social, political, economic, and cultural structures that shape the modern metropolis, using Los Angeles and its disasters as a case study. We study our complex region by drawing from a wide variety of perspectives including sociology, science fiction, philosophy, science, engineering, and disaster management. In addition to deepening our understanding of the social and natural forces shaping our region, this class helps us contend with change, uncertainty, and risk to better face the unknown future as people, citizens, and professionals.
Professional Activities
I am a founding member of the Engineering Philosophy Committee of the Structural Engineering Institute. The committee, as the name suggests, explores issues in Philosophy of Engineering, although it carries them beyond the narrow field of structural engineering. The committee has organized several well-attended sessions at the annual Structures Congress, authored a comprehensive review paper, and is now pursuing broader audiences beyond structural engineering.