Thread by @swardley

X : What do you think of my map?
Me : I see you've changed the axis. Well, it looks interesting.
X : Interesting?
Me : Yes. Knowledge evolves from concept, hypothesis, theory to universally accepted. I would put this as very early concept.
X : That's a bit dismissive.

Me : Not really. I would put the x-axis I use which covers activities, practice, data and knowledge at mid hypothesis level. That's because it was built with over 9,000 data points and has stood the test of time for 13 years. The y-axis, well it's a partial ordered list.

X: What do you mean?
Me : I mean the y-axis is more there for comfort. In fact, all you need on the y-axis is an arrow pointing up saying "North" ... sorry, saying "visibility"

... it's the movement axis, the evolution axis that's the key to the whole thing. That's the difficult part, the bit which took the most work to collect data on and test repeatedly over and over.
X : What's the x-axis based on?
Me : This.

X : But how do you know it's right?
Me : I can assure you, it will ultimately be wrong. Someone will find a better x-axis which is why I try to encourage people to explore.

X : How do you collect data to demonstrate x-axis?
Me : You have to find a way to test its validity and then you have to test it. Over and over. I went through and discarded many dozens of variations from diffusion curves to hype cycles to things I made up over a cup of tea.

... when you do have something which seems to have some validity, you need to use it and determine if it is useful. What patterns does it uncover, are those patterns useful / repeatable? Keep getting positive responses for a decade or so and you've probably got something.

... so just remember, there's a long road ahead of you when it comes to finding a better x-axis. A lot of work to be done. But someone will find that better axis.