Inference Reading
Inferential Focus' main business is to deliver intelligence and "change-detection" to its clients, and to identify the likely implications of those changes. To do this, they employ a trademarked technique called Inference Reading. This process is analogous to the medical practice doctors are trained with; Inferential Focus looks for the "symptoms" of a change (facts and anomalies gleaned from their large reading list) and by putting the symptoms together "diagnosing" (or inferring) a big-picture view of a change taking place in politics, the economy, society, technology, and culture.
Inferential Focus' managing partners and the firm's associates or "Inference Readers" combined read between 200 and 300 diverse publications and online new sources including national and international news; magazines and trade journals; regional, national and international newspapers; and publications distributed daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly. Inference Readers do not specialize in any one area, but rather intentionally read across various sectors and regions to get a wide view of what is taking place in the world.
Inference Readers eliminate all bias from what they read, such as the writer's opinion, expert opinion quoted by the writer, polls, surveys, and any other unverifiable facts.
Inference Readers meet every 2–3 weeks to discuss events and anomalies from their reading that deserve attention. The readers attempt to relate seemingly unrelated data to create a holistic view of a change that is taking place. Using a "3-5 rule", only changes that are supported by 3-5 pieces of evidence are then reported to clients.
Similar processes have been used in the 1980s by securities managers of large insurance firms in Hartford, Ct. and by the Williams Inference Service.
Read more about this topic: Inferential Focus
Famous quotes containing the words inference and/or reading:
“Rules and particular inferences alike are justified by being brought into agreement with each other. A rule is amended if it yields an inference we are unwilling to accept; an inference is rejected if it violates a rule we are unwilling to amend. The process of justification is the delicate one of making mutual adjustments between rules and accepted inferences; and in the agreement achieved lies the only justification needed for either.”
—Nelson Goodman (b. 1906)
“Nothing more rapidly inclines a person to go into a monastery than reading a book on etiquette. There are so many trivial ways in which it is possible to commit some social sin.”
—Quentin Crisp (b. 1908)