Conversation
Very interesting and happy to see the science, physics, and references to Phil Anderson and emergence ( ) but what feels missing is storytelling. So many nonfiction narratives lecture on ideas. But people dont care deeply about ideas. /1
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They care deeply about people. And stories about those people - stories of conflict and resolution and learning and growth. That's why I turn pages. That's why movies mesmerize. Academic-style writing (speaking as a former academic) misses that. /2
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That's why I tried something different - somewhat subtle (mathematical) ideas about emergence in the behaviors of teams, companies, and groups told through stories of people. And their conflicts and struggles and triumphs and tragedies & lessons. It's an experiment. We'll see. /3
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Thank you for that thoughtful reply!
I'm very sympathetic to that perspective. I don't treat it thoroughly enough in this essay (just one ¶ about pathos), but your argument's central to my critique of most edtech systems designers. Emotional connection is a high order bit.
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By focusing on "learning outcomes," approaches like intelligent tutoring systems tend to completely remove the human element.
Excerpt you might enjoy from an older essay where I discuss that more (blog.andymatuschak.org/post/159340765—and s/o to for the central quote!)
I think that captures it well. "If you bring a thermometer and calipers with you on a date - you're not going to be having sex".
There's a reason most books by academics dont do well.
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