Picture Perfect

“Most of our problems are not circumstantial.  Most of our problems are perceptual.” ~ Dave DeHaan 

Any problem, every problem, has a solution.  The trick is finding the optimum solution in the given amount of time.  Although solution finding requires innovation and creativity it ultimately requires process.  Solutions for problems are easier seen from different perspectives via abstraction.

Seeing the problem is one thing, understanding the problem is entirely different.[1]  Abstraction is quite a handy tool when it comes to understanding a given problem’s tendencies and identifying the optimal solutions.

The notion of abstraction is simple; it’s ‘analyzing a problem in different contexts’.  Abstraction is something we do every day without even thinking about it.  Every time you read a word your mind is taking a physical characters with respect to the words around it(context) and relating it to past experiences that involve that word.  In the same way by visualizing a problem in different perspectives gives new insight to the task at hand.

Abstraction is vital when scientifically modeling data, it allows one to see the trends on a high level and derive their explanation on a low level.[2]  Abstraction is not only useful in the technical realm but also in the arena of communication.  In almost every workplace presentation, some notion of exemplification is stated to help clarify certain points or propositions.  And whenever we are conducting a presentation we have to begin with the audience in mind.  In many cases the audience, presumably wants to see your project from a high level of abstraction (generalized overview).  Thus, however useful the examples may seem, there can arise conflict when you give a specific scenario that you explain in detail, and the audience tries to comprehend to no avail, or worse coming to an inaccurate interpretation of your presentation.

Paraphrasing Immanuel Kant’s revelation, “A generalized notion may be derived into an example however the integration of a specific example does not accurately represent the generalization as a whole.”[3]  In other words a few well-chosen general concepts can provide much more prolific results, than any sum of individual scenarios may ever avail.  So, to the best of your abilities leave out unnecessary details; for a simple, intuitive presentation ensues profound results.

In retrospective there are many problems that could have been solved, and conflicts that could have been avoided if I had only viewed and conveyed the situation on different levels of abstraction, from other perspectives.  So, next time you’re faced with a difficult problem remember that the solution may simply lie in a new view or a fresh perspective.

Sincerely,

--

^“15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” ~ NIV Joshua 24:15

Jordan D. Ulmer

Cited: 

1.  Kant, Immanuel. Critique of Pure Reason. Trans. J. M. D. Meiklejohn. Mineola, NY: Barnes & Noble, 2004. Print. Pg 70
2. Victor, Bret. "Up and Down the Ladder of Abstraction." Up and Down the Ladder of Abstraction. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2013. 
3.  Kant, Immanuel. Critique of Pure Reason. Trans. J. M. D. Meiklejohn. Mineola, NY: Barnes & Noble, 2004. Print. Pg