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Showing posts from July, 2011

Three steps for inverse hindsighting

Guess: What word was the most used by the Prime Minister, the police chiefs and the News Co heir in the parliamentary sessions about the phone hacking scandal? Without a proper count I would bet on 'hindsight'. At least I am sure that in the last couple of days I've heard it much more than it is usual. Cameron, the Sheriffs and the Murdochs, they all used it several times in the select committees and in the House of Commons. It is a good word and it has proved handy. I looked it up. It means “recognition of the realities, possibilities, or requirements of a situation, event, decision etc., after its occurrence”. Check. They’ve all deployed 'hindsight' according to its exact definition. But can one be a bit more daring? Like, I can give you some hindsight for the future.... Or: Now it is time to start thinking with future hindsight.... Mmm, it might not work. Maybe the best is to avoid the word altogether. So let’s try three easy steps for not having to use 'hi