Metkagram · Contrast · reframing-purpose
The question is not whether X, but how Y vs It's not that X; it's that Y
How to choose: Are you moving a settled debate from whether to how, or correcting the explanation itself?
Core distinction
CLF050 assumes the high-level decision is settled and redirects attention to implementation. CLF061 does not assume a decision is settled; it replaces an inaccurate interpretation X with a more precise explanation Y.
First pattern · CLF050
The question is not whether [X], but how [Y].
Reframe a debate from whether to act to how to act.
- EN
- The question is not whether [X], but how [Y].
- DE
- Die Frage ist nicht, ob [X], sondern wie [Y].
Second pattern · CLF061
It's not that [X]; it's that [Y].
Replace an inaccurate interpretation with the distinction that actually matters.
- EN
- It's not that [X]; it's that [Y].
- DE
- Es geht nicht darum, dass [X], sondern darum, dass [Y].
Examples
CLF050
Formula: The question is not whether [X], but how [Y].
Example: The question is not whether we should validate the data, but how we can do it cheaply.
CLF061
Formula: It's not that [X]; it's that [Y].
Example: It's not that the approach is wrong; it's that it does not scale beyond the pilot.