Institute for Applied Generalization update Oct 26

In order to advance the cause of the Institute for Applied Generalization, I went to Paris.

Tres locigal.

French traditions include the useful approach of looking at complex situations through the Carthesian lens of thesis, antithesis and synthesis.

So I thought I’d learn. But I just came away with a sore head, from trying to distinguish between what just sounds complex and in fact is simple – the French excel in that – and what indeed is truly complex and could benefit from some applied generalization.

If the Germans are good at turning abstract notions into concrete intellectual constructions, the French do the opposite – convert concrete notions into abstract constructions and discuss them as if they were visible, physical things subject to laws of gravity and other non-optional rules in life.

So, in short, not help from the Carthesian approach.

More next week.

applied generalization – how it works

So, brass tacks. The idea is this.

You have a problem – need a sound intepretation of something puzzling, someone to still some complex waters, a synthesis of a mess of stuff that is buzzing you – you turn to the Institute for Applied Generalization (i4ag).

At i4ag, we (I) will take a look at your problem, go for a walk, call some friends and bore them with old jokes – have a coffee, and then make sense of whatever it was that was troubling you. Honest, we will.

The solution will never be more than 350 words long, have no more than three logical steps (usually input-output-throughput), a maxium of two diagrams or other graphs when these are needed, and contain less than six footnotes and references to other helpful stuff – and we’d possibly add some stuff we (I) just kind of like to point out whatever the issue is that’s being raised. And, for a small fee, you get a PowerPoint pack to dazzle your colleagues and/or boss with.

At i4ag, we’re ready. ‘Common sense, pompously’ delivered is our motto. (Even having a ‘motto’ is pompous these days, but what the heck).