The structure of the Broad Horizon platform is aligned to an information flow of four layers. From the bottom up, every layer adds new insights to broaden the view on the subject at hand. From the top downwards, each layer reveals new discoveries. Altogether, it tells the story.
| Layer | What | How | # |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles | What is or will be | With analysis, reflections | 1 |
| History | What was | With stories | 2 |
| Information | Definitions | Facts | 3 |
| Research | Data | Reports | 4 |
An example: Migration
A debate around migration can produce noise (articles) like “our country is being flooded with migrants”, or “we must drastically limit the flow of refugees, our healthcare, education, and housing are severely overloaded” or the other way around. “We should welcome all in need of a better life”, or “don’t worry so much, there’s enough space”.
Regardless of good intentions, a conversation, or debate quickly becomes a hardened black/white view of the situation. It becomes good or wrong without balance. It’s time to look back, what history tells us. In short: migration is of all time. Partially due to a way of living. Partially due to disasters or conflicts. One example is America — largely inhabited by immigrants from Europe.
Going further, the question arises: what is migration anyway in particular, apart from people moving. The why (for study, work, relation, conflicts, starvation) and which rules or treaties are relevant. Definitions and assumptions.
That brings us to the layer of research on the topic at hand in detail. We might be talking about a specific area of migration. What are the actual numbers. And what do those actual numbers tell us. Now and over a period of time (trends). Are there patterns or concerns. Many new questions to be answered.
At this point, there is new information that might have a new meaning, and related to history can share light on the actual situation. What are we actually talking about? We might even be able to look into the future. The story continues…
Examples
| Link / article / item | Information Layer |
|---|---|
| Dataset / Report on Asylum | 4 |
| Item: t.b.d. | 3 |
| Item: Controleren is goed, vertrouwen is beter! | 2, a bit of 1 |
| Item: The EU need to step up as Geopolitical Power | 1 |