No. 68 · People · Physics
Frame of Reference
Every judgement is measured against something; change the baseline and the answer can change.
In the Almanac
“Foucault’s pendulum”, 1851 · “Patek Philippe”, 1996
Both stories in full, three ways to use it and where it misleads.
Get the AlmanacQuestions
What is Frame of Reference?
In physics, a frame of reference is the coordinate system used to describe motion. A cup on an airplane tray is still to the passenger but racing relative to the ground. In life, every judgment of value, progress or fairness depends on the baseline we choose, and changing the baseline can flip the conclusion.
How do you use Frame of Reference?
To use it, test important judgments against two or three different baselines. Price big purchases by cost per use, compare your progress with your past self, and in disagreements ask what the other person is measuring against. Watch out for reframing used to manipulate.
When does Frame of Reference matter?
Frame of Reference is one of the 60 mental models for people, the situations where you ask: Why do people act as they do, and how do I work with them? Within that, it belongs to “Understanding people”, alongside High Context vs Low Context, Introverts vs Extroverts and IQ vs EQ.
What is an example of Frame of Reference?
Two stories show it at work: Foucault’s pendulum (1851) and Patek Philippe (1996). Both are told in full in The Mental Models Daily Almanac, which has two stories for each of its 365 models.
Which mental models are related to Frame of Reference?
Framing, Relativity and Anchoring. Frame of Reference itself comes from physics.