Frequently asked questions about thinking, epistemology, and cognitive tools. 3434 answers
Sometimes a child needs to differ from its parent — explicit override is cleaner than implicit exception.
When your hierarchy becomes awkward restructure it rather than forcing things to fit.
When your hierarchy becomes awkward restructure it rather than forcing things to fit.
When your hierarchy becomes awkward restructure it rather than forcing things to fit.
When your hierarchy becomes awkward restructure it rather than forcing things to fit.
When your hierarchy becomes awkward restructure it rather than forcing things to fit.
The same set of items can often be organized in several equally valid hierarchical structures. Each hierarchy foregrounds different relationships and obscures others. No single arrangement is canonical — the right hierarchy depends on what you are trying to see, find, or do. Recognizing this.
The same set of items can often be organized in several equally valid hierarchical structures. Each hierarchy foregrounds different relationships and obscures others. No single arrangement is canonical — the right hierarchy depends on what you are trying to see, find, or do. Recognizing this.
The same set of items can often be organized in several equally valid hierarchical structures. Each hierarchy foregrounds different relationships and obscures others. No single arrangement is canonical — the right hierarchy depends on what you are trying to see, find, or do. Recognizing this.
What sits at the top of your hierarchy reflects what you consider most important.
Good hierarchies let people see the big picture first and drill into detail on demand.
Good hierarchies let people see the big picture first and drill into detail on demand.
Good hierarchies let people see the big picture first and drill into detail on demand.
Good hierarchies let people see the big picture first and drill into detail on demand.
Good hierarchies let people see the big picture first and drill into detail on demand.
An item can be contained within a hierarchy level or merely referenced from it.
An item can be contained within a hierarchy level or merely referenced from it.
An item can be contained within a hierarchy level or merely referenced from it.
An item can be contained within a hierarchy level or merely referenced from it.
Lopsided hierarchies with very deep branches and very shallow ones indicate structural problems.
Lopsided hierarchies with very deep branches and very shallow ones indicate structural problems.
Lopsided hierarchies with very deep branches and very shallow ones indicate structural problems.
Lopsided hierarchies with very deep branches and very shallow ones indicate structural problems.
The ability to organize things into nested levels is one of your most powerful thinking capabilities. Hierarchical cognition is not a technique you learn — it is a faculty you already possess that becomes transformative when you wield it deliberately.