Generalisation Archives - Scott's Thinking

Generalisations Hurt

Posted on March 7, 2021

Generalising can be useful. However, it can also be quite unhelpful. When someone uses them too liberally, generalisations hurt.

Positive references are fine to be generalised, such as “These children all look thirsty”. However, try to steer clear of using any general comment if there is a negative connotation to it.

Some people like to use sweeping statements as a shortcut. For example, “Americans are X”, “Children aren’t capable of Y” and “This city is a disaster” are too broad in their scope. When you identify something you aren’t happy with, please try to single out the specific person or situation. Otherwise, this is where a lot of isms and ists are born.

A whole movement can be created when a couple of dozen or a few hundred people act in a certain way but it is extrapolated across 50 million. I do believe that most people have a hard time knowing what their Mom, spouse, kid or boss thinks. So how do people feel they can accurately group thousands or millions of people in any meaningful way?

I know it feels better to have a large group of people with you. And it is easier to comment on whole groups of people. But, expediency and magnitude will exacerbate the problem. Unfortunately, one needs to take time and get specific to identify the actual issue that needs attention.

Generalisations hurt. Generally speaking.

Observe Progress Reframe your thoughts

That Is The problem!

Posted on January 10, 2021

Or is it? I am sure it could be a problem but maybe not the one. It may just be the one you perceive. From your perspective. That is the problem!

You know many, though not all problems. And many, though not all solutions. However, you have selected one to focus on and declare that that is the key to it all. But maybe it isn’t.

Notice when you use generalisations and definite, or all-encompassing, statements or words. It is too easy to make broad, general statements. So be careful when you are speaking, to not do that.

Even specialists will have a limit on their expertise. They may know a lot more, and in greater detail, than most other people. However, they probably don’t know all the exhaustive problems and options or solutions.

Be curious when you are looking at the options you think you have. You may find options you didn’t even know you had. Consult friends and family to see what they can shed some light on. This is important. If you get this assessment wrong, you hurt your chances of success.

The worst point is, that if you diagnose the situation wrong, you could be solving for the wrong problem. Then the solution will be resolving a problem that may not exist.

That is the problem!

Observe Think About It

They Are The Problem

Posted on September 15, 2020

That’s right. We know exactly who is ruining everything. When things go wrong, we can confidently say that they are the problem.

The media know it. You know it. People seem to reference them all the time.

We, of course, are not the problem. This is because we know better, we are more aware and we tell everyone so they can improve their lives. We are the solution. It is a simple solution in this complex world. Broad generalisations always avoid schisms.

If only they could see things the way we see things. They would then do things differently. Obviously differently means better. And not just a fraction better. It would mean doing things significantly better.

We know our way is practically perfect. In fact, everything should work as we prescribe. If only they would listen.

In addition to not clearly understanding the issues or the gravity of many situations, they are prone to hyperbole and embellishment. This doesn’t help. They seem to be swayed by others.

Clarifying the actual point is another problem. It’s a bit like whack-a-mole. We make our point clearly and succinctly. They then misunderstand and reply with a tangential point. They then miss the original point and confuse the second one.

We know they are the problem. When will they realise it?