Challenges of the map and territory disconnect are frequent and easy to find. There is no need to make it very complicated at all. Let’s look at a simple example.
Think of ice cream. Remember, it might be good for you?
Now, imagine this.
You are sitting at a small table at an outdoor cafe. It is a beautiful summer day, mid-August. The sky is blue, you feel the warmth of the sun on your face. In front of you, on the table: A tall glass filled to the brim with an ice cream sundae. You are looking at it with anticipation, savoring the moment, before taking that first bite.
At the bottom, you see thick chocolate sauce clinging to the glass, dark and glossy like silk. Above it, smooth vanilla ice cream dotted with chocolate chip, topped with a layer of caramel. A rich scoop of chocolate ice cream follows, its deep brown hue inviting, surrounded by caramel and more chocolate. Then, a scoop of strawberry ice cream, studded with bits of real fruit.
The sundae is crowned with a swirl of whipped cream, soft and white, sprinkled with crushed nuts and chocolate shavings. A bright red cherry sits atop. You pick up your spoon, a smile on your lips.
Did you catch it?
There was the mention of the ice cream, then a description and finally an image. You probably found yourself reacting in some way to one or more of those. Perhaps you involuntarily smiled, formed images in your mind, recalled the taste of ice cream or maybe even noticed your mouth water a little.
You reacted in response to abstractions. None of it was the actual experience of eating ice cream.