Concrete Objects: Clear Communication about the Tangible

Characteristics of concrete objects: self-bodied, measurable and perceptible.

Concrete objects are the basis for direct and unambiguous communication.

Their main characteristic is that they have a body of their own, which means that they have physical qualities -such as shape, color, texture and size- that define them and distinguish them from other objects.

This corporeality makes them entities directly perceptible by our five senses.

A concrete object does not require complex interpretation, since it is practically "telling you what it is" by its physical presence alone.

They are, by nature, measurable and bounded, existing in a tangible reality that we can touch, see and verify, which lays the groundwork for an almost instantaneous common understanding.

Why communicating about concrete objects generates less conflict

Communication focused on concrete objects is inherently less conflictual because it leaves minimal room for subjective interpretation.

If all our communication were limited to these objects, fights, misunderstandings and arguments would be drastically reduced.

The reason is simple: it is difficult to argue about the existence or fundamental characteristics of something that both interlocutors can see and touch.

For example, if a chair is broken, you take it to an expert who identifies a tangible problem, such as "a loose leg."

He repairs it, and the result is immediately verifiable: the chair no longer wobbles.

There is no philosophical debate about the "essence" of the breakage; the problem and the solution are concrete, and the result is satisfaction on both sides without conflict.

Practical examples: a set of keys, a chair, a computer

Concrete objects are the protagonists of our daily life.

When someone refers to "these keys", "this computer mouse" or "that chair", hardly anyone in the room would argue otherwise or dispute the nature of the object in question.

Other clear examples include a table, a cell phone, a refrigerator or a bed. In communicating about these items, we start from a basis of almost universal agreement.

The word and the physical object it represents are directly linked in most people's minds, creating an immediate and effective bridge of understanding.

This shared certainty is the pillar that supports clear and uncomplicated communication.

Although simpler, the nuances of perspective still exist.

It is crucial to understand that while communication about concrete objects is simpler, it is not completely without nuance. The perspective of each speaker still plays a role.

For example, even if two people agree that they are looking at a computer mouse, their view of the object may vary slightly.

One who views it from above will notice the click buttons, while one who views it from the front might notice the cable port or the optical sensor.

Both are right and both describe the same object, but their perception is incomplete and different.

These small nuances demonstrate that, even with the tangible, each individual's reality is unique, a factor that is magnified exponentially when we move into the realm of abstract objects.

Summary

Concrete objects possess a body of their own, with physical qualities such as shape, color, and size that define them. They are measurable and directly perceptible by our five senses, which facilitates an almost instantaneous common understanding.

Communication about concrete objects is less contentious because it leaves minimal room for subjective interpretation. It is difficult to debate about the characteristics of something that both interlocutors can see and touch, such as a broken chair.

Although communication about the tangible is simpler, it is not without nuance, because everyone's perspective plays a role. The view of a computer mouse varies whether viewed from above or from the front.