Field Notes in Structural Intelligence is a thought leadership series by Nirixense Technologies, where we engage with experts across structural engineering and monitoring to understand how SHM actually works in practice and where it needs to evolve next. In this article, we share insights from a conversation with Dr. Jaswant Arlekar, a visionary leader in structural engineering, renowned for his profound expertise in seismic resilience and pioneering advancements in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). The discussion is less about finding answers and more about reframing the questions the industry has been asking for decades.