After years working at the intersection of social work, technology, and knowledge management, I've noticed something fascinating: every time we implement a new system or process to "improve" welfare services, we create ripples that touch the very essence of human care and professional judgment.
Years ago, I encountered a situation that pretty much puts the spotlight on the Human & The Machine and the things I've been pondering about modern social work. A man came seeking emergency housing assistance. Our standardized assessment indicated a clear denial. But instead of just processing the rejection efficiently, I stayed present - helping him understand the appeals process, listening to his story, discussing his immediate options. What began with frustration and grief transformed into hope and practical planning. In that moment, bureaucracy met humanity, and I witnessed how vital that intersection is.
This and experiences like it keeps returning to me as our field races toward automation and standardization. Where do these human moments fit in our increasingly systematized world?
Why This, Why Now?
We're at a critical juncture in the evolution of welfare services. The pressure to digitalize, standardize, and quantify our work has never been greater. Yet, simultaneously, we're recognizing the irreplaceable value of human judgment, empathy, and professional wisdom.
This isn't just about social work - it's about fundamental questions facing our society:
How do we preserve human judgment in an increasingly systematized world?
What happens when standardization meets individual needs?
How can technology support rather than replace professional wisdom?
What to Expect
This Substack will explore these questions through regular posts examining:
The philosophical foundations of modern welfare systems
Real-world examples of human-machine interaction in social services
Critical perspectives on knowledge, power, and professional judgment
Practical approaches to balancing systematization with human wisdom
I'll be posting twice a month, drawing on both theoretical perspectives and practical experiences. Expect deep dives into topics like:
The tension between standardization and professional autonomy
How AI and automation are reshaping social work
The role of tacit knowledge in an evidence-based world
Building systems that serve people, not the other way around
Join the Journey
All content on this Substack will be freely available because I believe these discussions should be accessible to everyone working in or interested in welfare services.
However, if you'd like to support this work, paid subscribers will get:
Access to the full archive
Ability to join the discussion in comments & forums
The satisfaction of supporting independent writing about crucial issues in modern welfare
Whether you're a practitioner, researcher, or simply interested in how we maintain humanity in an increasingly systematic world, I invite you to join this exploration. Together, we can shape a future where research and technology enhances rather than replaces human judgment.
Share your thoughts: What aspects of the human-machine relationship in welfare services most interest or concern you?