Conventions in technique

Based on recent observations, e.g. at the cut the diagonal jump page, we need conventions for technical pages, since a pattern has become apparent in the discussion about technique. I'll start off in discussion mode, with the purpose of arriving at a consensus --Dieter

Rough start

• Instances of technical advice are heuristics, with varying levels of confidence.
• Neighbouring stones will drastically impact the situation
• Complete isolation is rarely a realistic assumption for the technique at hand
• Technique says nothing about the strategic urgency but can say something about the local urgency
• Shape and its relatives tesuji and haengma have a dynamic aspect, i.e. the final position is not the sole criterium, the order of moves counts as well - tewari can be applied.

Bill: On the question of complete isolation: Go problems typically follow the assumption that all relevant stones are shown. Also, joseki assume relative isolation. If a play is good only in certain surroundings, we say that it is situational, not that it is joseki. This is in line with multicultural or pancultural pragmatics of communication. (See Grice's maxims.)

Similarly, if a recommended play requires certain surroundings to be good, those surroundings should be indicated. Otherwise, the play should be good in relative isolation.

A good example is extending from a crosscut. That's good advice in isolation, but not necessarily when other stones are nearby. It is also typically not good when the crosscut is on the second and third lines, when it may be better to capture an opposing stone.