Towards Higher Abstractions Ideas and diagrams are higher abstractions than words and fonts. The Idea Processor depicts ideas as graphical objects and its relationship as links. You get the Big Picture at all times , and details can be hidden from view. A diagram helps to organize cognitive activities and select approaches to problem solving. A diagram need not be a precise representation of all aspects of the real world.
Vagueness helps to distill the generic attributes of the ideas and encourages exploration.
The work of cognitive psychologists suggests that thinking processes occur in no particular sequence. This suggests the concept of Mode-lessness . A mode-less system enables you to perform any task at any time without having to switch modes. Examples of mode-less systems are an aircraft cockpit, a hospital operating theatre, and the brain. In contrast, a traditional Modal system requires you to enter different modes to perform different functions.