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"This model will be a simplification and an idealization, and consequently a falsification."

- Alan M. Turing

The Conceptual Modeling Industry

Did you ever wonder about the secret structure of the universe or about the underlying reality and purpose of the world ? If the answer yes, you probably have use a conceptual model of some sort. In fact, there are several gigantic multi-billion dollar industries devoted to the promotion and sale of conceptual models - those industries are Education, Religion, Science and Politics. Did I say multi-billion dollar ? I must have meant to say multi-trillion dollar, at least for the Political industry. In fact, almost everything you can't eat, wear, drive or live in is a conceptual model. It's a very big market.

Joking aside, conceptual models are one of the cornerstones of human condition, arguably the thing that sets us above most of the other animals. Yet, most of us are barely conscious of their existence. This presentation will not fill that void - but it may raise the level of awareness a bit.

The material presented is to some extent academic in nature. However, I have tried to streamline things as much as possible, at times sacrificing rigour and completeness for simplicity and clarity.