# Examining What Was Understood By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2024-05-03 In childhood, there was a question that children would ask that went like this, “Pete and Repeat were sitting on a bench. Pete fell off. Who is left?” When the child would respond “Repeat,” the other would go through the entire thing again. This might have one iteration. It could go on for some time. A similar line of inquiry could be laid out with “Search and Research.” In this version, the takeaway is that research examines what was once understood. Searching is about exploration; research is about context. To the degree that organizations focus on “results,” searching and researching can be viewed negatively. Managers might consider the outcome of research to be “book reports.” They might further assert that they don’t have time to read this type of thing; they are too busy making results. Maybe managers are too busy to read reports. Examining what was understood can be highly beneficial. Technological advancements are all around us, but a lack of clarity has also increased. Reading material from the past can provide insight. Often, the prose used is direct. One can gain a sense that there has been a shift in the intent of writing. It seems that somewhere along the way, reports have gone from something used to explain to something used to impress. Reports written to explain are superior. At least two paths seem to be leading to the demise of research. First, as indicated, managers don’t have time to read reports. Second, as implied, reports written to impress will have little utility in the future. To the degree that propaganda is being produced today, it will serve little value in future research. When future generations look back, it will be unclear what was understood. They will likely have no other option but to conclude, not very much at all. #### Related Items [[Reporting]] [[Writing]] [[Research]] [[Management]] [[Time]] [[Propaganda]]