definitions – applied generalization

The virtual community of a handful with an interest in our new institute may be the start of something good and lasting.

But our mission needs a definition, otherwise a proper Instîtute for Applied Generalization will never be realized – with its Journal (web-based), its Society (meeting as often as common sense dictates) and a thriving membership of nose scratching thinkers.

Applied Generalization – the practice of looking at complex situations, stripping them down to essentials, applying common sense analysis and postulating helpful solutions. 

What would it look like? Say, a journalist needs to back a hunch with a sensible, fact-based observation and a named quote, but doesn’t know which expert to turn to since they all are too complicated. At I4AG he or she gets a two-page report and some punchy sentences.

It could work.

Hello world!

I’ve been too lazy to register my Institute for Applied Generalization, so let’s make this the first step.

As they say in the smart stakeholder relations world, it is good advice to “say it, do it, write it down”.

This will have to count as “say it” – even though it is written.

So, what will I do on i4ag? Who knows. Setting it up comes with both irony and steely determination. I find that much of the debate in the political world, and among the punditry, has somehow lost touch with common sense.

The Institute for Applied Generalization is dedicated to restoring common sense, but perhaps also to delivering generalizations in a slightly high-minded and pompous way, so that they get taken seriously.

Let’s see how it goes.