Quotes and Knowledge

["Jack R. Stokvis" <smarts@galaxy.net>]

David Kerridge again cogently summarizes the argument about Quotes and 
Knowledge:
>The similarities with Deming are stronger than appears at first sight. Not 
>all new theories met with such resistance. Why so much in this case? These are
>my guesses, having studied the story.
>1)   The evidence was statistical.
>2)   The explanation he put forward involved an *invisible* means of 
transmitting disease. 
>The old theories, such as bad smells, were tangible, even though not visible.
>3)   Semmelweiss blamed the doctors themselves as the main agent of spreading 
illness.
>Compare that with the Deming Management philosophy:
>1)   Strong emphasis on statistical ideas like variation.
>2)   Invisible factors in the system are the most important.
>3)   The greatest problems are caused by managers themselves.
>
>As I understand it, the ideas were only accepted when Louis Pasteur
>showed the cause of transmission to be visible under the microscope.

If David's logic is accurate (and he usually is),only one questions 
remains:
How can "enlightened" managers make the "invisible" factors  "visible" 
seen by others?

>>                    Jack R. Stokvis, Principal
>>                     Stokvis Associates, Inc.
>>                          25 Pine Street
>>                      Haworth, NJ 07641-10926
>>      Tel: 201-384-3600; Fax: 201-384-4457: E-Mail: jack@stokvis.net
>          Looking "Outside The Box" To Find The Hidden Solutions"
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