Sensemaking

The process by which people give meaning to their collective experiences.

This definition can apply to all kinds of systems that attempt to model their environment as network patterns - patterns which adapt based on deviations between sense data and expectation. However, it is important to note that these adjustments and adaptations are made on the models for expectations, not on the environment itself. Thus, sensemaking is not decision-making or policy-making—it is the necessary precursor to effective action. Just as sensemaking is the necessary precursor to policy-making and action, a set of trusted streams of relevant, parsable sense data is the necessary precursor to sensemaking—and to collaborative sensemaking, we must add meaningful consensus.

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