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The book describes 2nd position as:
- adopting the characteristics and perceptions of some identifiable group. As an example to give the reader a taste of this, imagine what a well-aged hunk of cheese represents from the point of view of:
- a mouse
- a cow
- a starving student
- a lactose intolerant patient
- a marketing executive
- a lawyer
- an accountant
- systematically shifting perceptual position from one to another of the three privileged perceptual positions specified by Triple Description.
We would like to note here that number 2 above could be classified as a generalized 2nd. (p. 248)
I completely agree that taking the role of an executive, a lawyer, or an accountant is a generalized 2nd (other position). However, that means that taking the role of a consultant or director illustrated in the Angela/Geraldo exchange (pp. 250-256) is also a generalized 2nd, and not 3rd position, as stated.
I understand the great usefulness of taking on an other position (generalized or not), particularly if that person has great skill or expertise. However, any such other position will introduce its content biases, presuppositions, and emphases. These may be very useful, just as content reframing or other content interventions can be. However, it inevitably introduces content, as can be clearly seen in the Angela/Geraldo example, in which the consultant does much more than simply observe—offering future possibilities, scornful humor, intention, and asking specific and very directive questions. Every description and example of 3rd position in this book is actually 2nd, because they all specify a person, role, or position other than that of a dispassionate observer, so of course they will have evaluative feelings.
This is totally inconsistent with the otherwise clear distinction made in this book between process and content, and the books emphasis on interventions that are based on process rather than content.
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