Pells, PJN 2015, 'Monitoring — the good, the bad and the ugly', in PM Dight (ed.), FMGM 2015: Proceedings of the Ninth Symposium on Field Measurements in Geomechanics, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 3-24, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1508_0.1_Pells (https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/1508_0.1_Pells/) Abstract: This paper was prepared for the opening address at the symposium and is intended to provide material for contemplation whilst considering the latest in monitoring and communications. By examining case studies ranging from the successful to the disastrous, and by considering modern understanding as to how we humans think, it is hoped that the issues raised will provide an appropriate framework for the symposium.