MOLECULES OF MEANING

LVT is distinct from brainstorming. Brainstorming uses any association of ideas and then selects what is 'best'. LVT is based on molecules of meaning and every one of them is used in the process.

Molecules of meaning derive from experience and not just from thought. In the ideal, they are based on fact, are (implicitly) charged with feeling and carry a meaning in their own right. They are complex wholes and not abstract concepts. Concepts are generalities and do not address concrete needs. Molecules of meaning embody the aspects of When, Where, What and Who. They contain information that can be unfolded by means of a structured process that links them together to exhibit new properties.

 

Molecule of Meaning = MM

In brainstorming, we use simple words and phrases. In LVT we use statements that link to real events and their felt significance. MMs have structure and it is this structure that is unfolded to reveal new meanings, which will be recognized as 'solutions', 'futures', 'systems' and other such insights.

It is unusual to concentrate on real experience rather than on brainstorming or on statistical data. There are key rules.

Don't use single words or even phrases but aim for complete statements.

Avoid putting conclusions into the molecules but leave them open for interpretation.

Make MM isunique and meaningful in its own right.

Have means of verifying their reality.

Ensure that all participants agree to their reality.

Dialogue on their relevance to the concern or purpose in hand, so that they are 'charged' with meaning more than the words can convey.

Suspend beliefs, models, jumping to conclusions as much as possible.

State the 'obvious' because it is important to spell it out and make it visible, shared and agreed to as real. MMs are as explicit as possible. What is implicit comes out later.

MMs are embodied into concrete objects that can be placed, moved, arranged and combined.

They are physical thoughts.

ABSTRACT GENERAL CONCEPT	CONCRETE MOLECULE OF MEANING
Morale	There is widespread anxiety about possible lay-offs, which has been accentuated in the last 3 months because of new review procedures being put in place
Systems support	A new computer system was introduced 18 months ago to streamline orders but people are still struggling to adjust to it
Staffing	Sales staff was increased by 10% in the last six months and a new bonus scheme was introduced
Profit	Earnings on sales declined by 10% in the last year while costs rose by 15%

 

There are stages of transformation in which meaning is brought to higher levels. This is a transformation of knowledge into understanding, or received data into active mind.

GATHER

The generation of MMs is already a significant advance. Methods of generation range from simple 'off the top of my head' associations to complex and in depth mutual interrogations, enquiry and research. The process of generation provides experience and information that can resource later stages of developing new thinking.

ORGANIZE

MMs are examined to discern how they are connected. Patterns of connection show how the MMs are organized. They form clusters and hubs in dynamic networks.

The real operating networks may not coincide with current beliefs or supposed organizational structure.

INTEGRATE

The networks incorporate ourselves as operating nodes. If we have an adequate map of the network we can see how best to act and how we relate to others in the network.

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