How regulators and politicians look at issues differently than scientists

Barbara Minto in the Pyramid Principle looks at how scientists and regulators look at an issue.

She does not frame it like that. Instead, she breaks down how (1) analytical and (2) scientific problem solving approach deals with an issue.

The pattern is similar, but it is different. See below.

 

Most regulators and politicians deal with issue in an analytical way.

If you address the same issue through a different thought process you run the risk of confusing them.
This would not matter if the regulators and politicians were not making the decisions. But, too often, they are. And, trying to confuse people as a means to persuade them is unlikely to help.

I know a few scientific experts who are able to deal in both thought processes. They are rare. They posses a precious skill.