In their book "Rework," authors Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson discuss the pitfalls of relying on written documents and reports. They argue that abstractions can lead to a false sense of consensus among teams. When many people read the same text, they may interpret it in ways that differ vastly from one another, leading to misunderstandings.
This discrepancy can hinder collaboration and clarity, as individuals may think they are on the same page while actually harboring distinct interpretations of the material. The authors emphasize the importance of direct communication to ensure that everyone shares a common understanding instead of relying solely on written language.