Neumannting

Neumannting is a term used in contemporary cultural and scholarly discussions to denote a collaborative epistemic practice that combines critical thinking, transparent reasoning, and iterative hypothesis testing. It emphasizes publicly documenting uncertainties, reasoning processes, and the evidence behind conclusions rather than presenting conclusions as final.

Etymology and origins are informal, with the term reportedly arising in online and academic contexts in the early 2010s. It is often described as a meta-practice inspired by ideas from philosophy of science, design thinking, and collaborative governance. The name is linked to the familiar German surname Neumann and is used to signal a disciplined, methodical approach rather than a specific doctrine.

Core practices of Neumannting include: framing a question clearly; inviting diverse interpretations and dissenting views; listing underlying assumptions; collecting and weighing evidence from multiple sources; documenting the reasoning steps in a transparent log; and pursuing an iterative cycle of testing and revision. The goal is provisional consensus that remains open to revision as new information emerges.

Variants of Neumannting are described as light and strong forms. Light Neumannting emphasizes informal discussion and quick reflections in open forums, while strong Neumannting involves formalized procedures, published deliberation logs, and structured decision protocols. It finds use in open-source project governance, urban or organizational labs, and academic seminars.

Reception is mixed: proponents highlight its accountability and collaborative sense-making, while critics point to time demands and the potential for over-clarification to slow progress. As a nascent concept, definitions and practices vary across communities.