Reverse Meta Model: Comparative Deletions
In NLP’s “meta model,’ a “comparative deletion” is when the speaker leaves unstated what things are being compared and/or how that comparison is being evaluated. As an example, if you’re speaking with someone and they say something like “it’s better,” you would have no idea what they’re talking about. And, instead of assuming or hallucinating some meaning that may not be …
Reverse Meta Model:Unspecified Nouns/Referential Index
This fine title is being brought to you by the department of redundancy department. “Unspecified Nouns” and “Unspecified Referential Index” are the same thing. They are both either unspecified people, places, or things. What is so trancy about that, you ask? Well, whenever the listener has to go inside to wonder what exactly you’re talking about, you take a little …
The Rain Maker
This is an old Chinese Taoist story. It is a wonderful metaphor. Once upon a time there was a village that was experiencing a terrible, prolonged drought. The elders of the village had heard of a Rainmaker, a man who could induce the rains to come. So they sent word that they wanted this man to come to help them. …
Reverse Meta Model: Selectional Restriction Violation
A “Selectional Restriction Violation” is when someone ascribes to a thing something, usually a feeling, that is technically impossible for it to possess (at least as far as we know). So if you hear someone say something like, “the grass was feeling annoyed at the moles.” We might be tempted to employ the meta model to clear up this distortion. …
Reverse Meta Model: Unspecified Verbs
An unspecified verb is one that offers only a vague description of an action. When we use the meta model we endeavor to gather more precision by asking good questions. As an example, if we heard someone say, “she went to the party,” we would have no idea exactly how she “went,” so we’d ask a question. We might ask, …
Download Doug O’Brien’s paper,
“Be your Best with Self Hypnosis”