Great post! I have two questions if you don't mind:
One, regarding abstraction, are you familiar with general semantics? They tend to get nutty once they apply the tool-as-worldview, but they've got interesting writings on abstraction itself.
Two, regarding the graphs, are you familiar with dual coding theory? I didn't hear the word until last summer, but it consolidates a lot of thinking regarding visualization. Lately I've loved the accessibility of Caviglioli's book: https://www.olicav.com/#/posters/.
Sure! I'll give a short, non-exhaustive blurb for each:
General Semantics was started by Alfred Korzybski after the first world war. He was an engineer trying to make sense of all that had happened. His book "The Manhood of Humanity" was horrid--basically he swears off philosophy yet independently writes a primer in scientism--but his book "Science and Sanity" was all about abstraction. He coined the term "The map is not the territory" and had a kooky but useful diagram called the structural differential: https://images.app.goo.gl/puppvgZRMwj19Pxy5.
As for dual coding theory, I've been studying this off and on for going on a year. Allan Paivio proposed DCT, suggesting we process information both visually and verbally. The visual can help us process information. My earlier link (Caviglioli's book) synthesizes a lot of research on graphic organizers, boiling them down to four different kinds. As a teacher, I'm working on reorganizing teaching writing around these basic thought structures.
I’d say everyone always thinks with models. Some are just more explicit and transparent. You run a meteorological model in your head when you decide to carry an umbrella or not.
Great post! I have two questions if you don't mind:
One, regarding abstraction, are you familiar with general semantics? They tend to get nutty once they apply the tool-as-worldview, but they've got interesting writings on abstraction itself.
Two, regarding the graphs, are you familiar with dual coding theory? I didn't hear the word until last summer, but it consolidates a lot of thinking regarding visualization. Lately I've loved the accessibility of Caviglioli's book: https://www.olicav.com/#/posters/.
Thanks, Adam! Can’t say I’m familiar with either. I’d love to learn more, can you explain how is it relevant, what do they say?
Sure! I'll give a short, non-exhaustive blurb for each:
General Semantics was started by Alfred Korzybski after the first world war. He was an engineer trying to make sense of all that had happened. His book "The Manhood of Humanity" was horrid--basically he swears off philosophy yet independently writes a primer in scientism--but his book "Science and Sanity" was all about abstraction. He coined the term "The map is not the territory" and had a kooky but useful diagram called the structural differential: https://images.app.goo.gl/puppvgZRMwj19Pxy5.
As for dual coding theory, I've been studying this off and on for going on a year. Allan Paivio proposed DCT, suggesting we process information both visually and verbally. The visual can help us process information. My earlier link (Caviglioli's book) synthesizes a lot of research on graphic organizers, boiling them down to four different kinds. As a teacher, I'm working on reorganizing teaching writing around these basic thought structures.
Wow, thanks man, this sounds super interesting, I’ll dig a bit deeper!
I’d say everyone always thinks with models. Some are just more explicit and transparent. You run a meteorological model in your head when you decide to carry an umbrella or not.
Absolutely! That’s why it is important to learn to distinguish between good and bad models.
This post made me so happy! I mean, graphs!
Thanks! Yes, how can anybody not like graphs?! They’re like kittens of the math world 😀
The kittens *and* the dragons ;)