3Cs: A Model of How We Process Information

We go about the world reading and writing and conversing. I find that our internal processing can be nicely modeled with three modes. This model of how an individual processes information is the 3Cs:

• Consume: read, listen, watch
• Connect: reference, meaningfully associate
• Communicate: talk, write, present, apply

I think of these going from left to right

3Cs is a model of how an individual processes information. The goal is to go across these modes, eg, read sources, connect them, and communicate them.

Note: In the figure above, connections is dashed because it is the least understood (for me).

I propose that these three modes are distinct. That is,

• Consume only: you can read something, but not understand it
• Connect only: you can understand something, but not have read it; you can not be able to communicate it
• Communicate only: regurgitation: you can communicate without actually understanding (that is, you could not answer questions)

These three modes are connected and the goal is to go across them, from left to right: read something, understand it, and communicate it. And to consume many sources and connect them together.

Consider two individuals interacting: A and B. The goal is to “transfer” the connections from A to B. To do this, A must grab their connections and communicate it. Then, B must consume it.

Afterwards, we ask: do the connections equal? Sometimes and somewhat. But I think the transfer of information is not as good as it should be.

When A interacts with B, the goal is to “transfer” the connections from A to B. A must communicate and B must consume. Do those connections equal? Sometimes and somewhat.

We will use this architecture (the 3Cs model) to derive an interface to help us better consume, connect, and communicate information. I propose that all three modes can be significantly improved compared to today’s methods.