The Trouble with Making Assumptions and Over-Generalizations

Issue 160, May 16, 2024

We’ve noticed a disturbing trend over the past three years. To put it bluntly, organizations including governments, are making many assumptions about their stakeholders and constituents. The assumptions stem from over-generalizations, past knowledge, or due to wearing blinders.  In each instance, we will discuss how you, the consumer, will bear the cost and impact of these behaviors.

Failing to See the Total System

Let’s take a US political case in point: global trade. In the current presidential election cycle, there are assumptions and over-generalizations made by both political parties about the future of US-based manufacturing. Whether it’s “Make America Great Again,” infused by the assumption that by increasing tariffs on products imported from other countries, US-based manufacturing will grow, and consumers will “buy American,” assuming American-made products will be cheaper. Or, the alternative, “Rebuild America’s Infrastructure,” which is focused on reinve…