ladder of abstraction
Post on 24-Dec-2014
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Curse of Knowledge
Disclamer
44
The Ladder of Abstraction
The Ladder of Abstraction
Content based in part on the book Language in Thought and Action
by S.I. Hayakawa
Content based in part on the book Language in Thought and Action
by S.I. Hayakawa
5
Most speeches
are boring.
Most speeches
are boring.
What is the ladder of
abstraction?
What is the ladder of
abstraction?
The generic word “cow” is one level up on the ladder.
The generic word “cow” is one level up on the ladder.
Bessie
Cow
Livestock
Farm Asset
Asset
Money
Stay away from “Dead
Level Abstracting!”
Stay away from “Dead
Level Abstracting!”
14
Some people get buried in the details.
Some people get buried in the details.
15
Other people get stuck in
the clouds of abstraction.
Other people get stuck in
the clouds of abstraction.
The key to good communication is
the dynamic interplay between
the levels of abstraction.
Part 2 How to use the
abstraction ladder win more rounds.
25
Tell Stories
Dictionaries do not give words their meanings!
Extensional
Intentional
Take definitions
into the clouds.
Form a definition loop around the other team.
Debate speeches are often boring and ineffective.
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