Annie Zhang

The relevant contrast here is with causal modeling, where models represent the causes of something, while constitutive modeling is about the properties and characteristics of a phenomenon. A constitutive model tells us about characteristics and core features, but not why it happened (causes) or under what circumstances it will happen in the future ... See more

When models are used to identify and classify irregularities in a system, it is diagnostic modeling.

Qualitative models can use two forms of idealizations: Aristotelian and Galilean. In Aristotelian idealization, many aspects of the real-world system are left out of the model to make the model easier to work with. In Galilean idealization, features are included in the model, but their complexity is intentionally reduced (for example, looking at ed... See more

In qualitative modeling, which is what Kind is interested in, aspects of the real-world system are represented in a discrete manner. The states may be described, for instance, as “present,” “absent,” or neutral,” and relationships between variables may take the form of “increases,” “decreases,” or “irrelevant,” rather than mathematical formulae.

First, they create a simplified model using limited, initial information about the phenomenon they’re studying, with parts of the model assigned to represent parts of the real system. Second, they closely examine the model they are using to understand what it says and predicts about the real-world system. Third, they compare what they’ve learned fr... See more

I'm also reflecting on 'what do I want my own corner of the internet to say about me?'.[1]

As I consider that question, though, I also come back to the complexity of human beings. We have multiple - and sometimes contradictory - facets to our identity, which are more or less salient in particular contexts.

I’ve often wished to have an advisor that would be able to guide me and help me out with some consequential decisions that I was struggling with. The ideal advisor would know all those details of my life, understand them in ways that make a meaningful conversation possible, be at least as smart as I am, knowledgeable way beyond what I can ever be, ... See more

When you get down to it, not everyone is as laser-focused on making money as they say they are. “There are people whose primary goal is to be right. That works a high percentage of the time, but it can be disastrous because your ego and portfolio get caught up in that goal instead of just making money,” Duncan says.