Definition:

1. To collect or gather into a group.  (verb)

2. The whole sum or amount.  (noun) 

3. Clustered in a dense mass.  (adjective)  [REF]

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Deconstruction:

A mundane word, with not one, but multiple, boring descriptions.  The only compelling element of this word is that it requires all of the available “G”s in the game of Scrabble.

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However, a deeper dive yields all sorts of interesting side stories.  The word origin alone is worth the price of admission.  The middle syllable turns out to be the key element, founded in the Latin root “grex”, which means to “flock” or “herd”.

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One potential origination of this stem is the Greek “agora”, which literally means “to gather”; this open market descriptor of the 1600’s is still relevant today.  For the friendly folks amongst us, “gregarious” is another usage of the same Latin root, with extra components added to turn this term into an adjective.

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Taking a current common first name, and turning it into a multi-faced descriptor, is just the start of this word’s tradition to modern usage; a true example of aggregating marginal gains.    

Soccer Tournament – “Aggregate Scoring”:

There are not many sports where the run of play is so close that seemingly arbitrary tiebreakers are needed.

However, in one popular pastime such an occurrence is frequent.  Soccer, more commonly known as football, to our colleagues across the pond, or worldwide, for that matter.  Americans are an outlier from a naming standpoint with regards to this prevalent global activity, but that’s a different discussion.

Considering the uproar that usually surrounds soccer tournaments, which often end in a seemingly random string of penalty kicks, there is another system for determining a winner.

Unfortunately, the methodology, known as aggregate scoring, is not as exciting as letting all 11 players shoot on the opposing goalie at the same time, or removing a player each minute until a grueling, 1 vs. 1, full pitch, scenario materializes.

In this context, the fancy term aggregate basically means the sum of tallied goals between the same two opponents in multiple matches during a tournament.

While seemingly simple in conception, this system can lead to all manner of gamesmanship and strategy in reality.  In a back-to-back, head-to-head, bout, this format essentially keeps the score from the last run of play, extending a typical 90+ minute match into a 3-hour marathon.  The team that wins the first session can continue to play defensively, while the side which is behind must not only be victorious in the second game, but also swing the goal differential in their favor.

The aggregate format is currently used to resolve all manner of soccer event outcomes, from youth local indoor contests, to FIFA World Cup qualifying.  The main purpose of this structure is to offer home and home parity for the two combatants.  In a sport often decide by single tallies, such a compromise seems reasonable. 

Regardless of the format, athletics league success is most easily achieved by indiscriminately aggregating wins against one’s opponents.

FUN FACT TRANSITION = Since the 2006 Men’s World Cup in Germany, global viewership has increased by double digits each tournament final, with over 1.5 billion individuals tuning in for the epic Argentina vs. France match in Qatar 2022.  [REF]

TV Platforms – “Aggregating Data”:

Technology advancement is ubiquitous in our lives these days.  One area where innovation is abundantly evident is with regards to television content options. 

Back in the 1970’s, Americans had access to just 4 channels, received through a tall metal antenna, and projected on a grainy black and white display.  Today, individuals can choose from thousands of shows, on hundreds of platforms, with the ability to watch programming digitally transmitted onto a massive LED screen at home, or over their phone while traveling.

Many of us can’t even keep track of all our multimedia subscriptions, or passwords.

Impressively, the streaming content companies of today are able to magically predict and suggest what shows you’ll want to watch.  This is possible due to the personalized data which providers aggregate over time. 

Each piece an individual watches is logged, as part of their online profile.  Software can even tell if you finish a show, or simply start it, then give up partway through.  Using machine learning algorithms, this aggregated information is processed to provide future recommendations.

At no time in history has there been more entertainment choices for consumers.  And, never before have the purveyors of content had more information about the desires and preferences of their customers. 

Aggregation of data will undoubtably continue to shape consumer preferences and options in our increasingly connected, digital world.   

FUN FACT TRANSITION = Since 2000, urban resident’s disposable income per capita in China has grown nearly 800%, increasing to ¥49k Chinese yuan, or just under $7k U.S. dollars.  [REF]

Economic Trends – “Aggregate Demand”:

In the past decade alone, the income for the average Chinese resident has doubled, due to impressive financial growth.  Increased spending power is inciting powerful ripple effects across the country’s economy. 

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The increase in aggregate demand amongst Chinese citizens is helping to usher in a new era of consumption within the country.  With the largest population of any nation in the world, the opportunity for continued advancement is significant.

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Fundamentally, more disposable income means more purchasing.  China’s monetary growth over the past 4 decades has been spurred primarily by globalization.  Workers moved from the fields to the factories, manufacturing all manner of consumer goods, which are shipped throughout the world. 

Now, the geographic region which used to make the litany of items the developed countries demanded, is struggling to meet the needs of its increasingly needy local cohort.  Chinese domestic brands, along with multinational corporations, are trying to make key business decisions on which segments of the customer base to target, as each group has different product preferences, and price points.

Rural vs. urban, rudimentary vs. educated, young vs. old, poor vs. affluent.  All these factors influence purchasing habits.  Generalizations don’t do justice to the nuances of the Chinese consumer, but the general societal trajectory is decidedly upward.   

On aggregate, the tailwinds for the Chinese economy, and its evolving citizenry, is strong.

FUN FACT TRANSITION = Between 2011 and 2013, China poured 6.6 gigatons of concrete, more that the United States consumed in the entire 19th century.  [REF]

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Construction Applications – “Aggregate Materials”:

When you think of the mining industry, what products come to mind?  Coal.  Copper. Cobalt.

In reality, aggregates are the most common mine extraction item by volume.  Albeit, this represents an entire category of materials, many of which are a convenient biproduct of standard excavation activity.

Aggregates include sand, gravel, and stone, in a wide range of shapes and sizes.  Typically, extracted ore is run through a series of tumblers, crushers, and sieves, to separate the various particulates.  This organization is so granular, pun definitely intended, that there is an entire numbering system dedicated to different kinds of pebbles.

Despite the increased prevalence of metal and composite rebar for structural reinforcement, natural aggregates are still critical concrete material additive.  Next time you pass by a construction site, look in the back of those large, noisy, dump trucks, which are inevitably lumbering around.  Most likely, the rear bed will be filled with some type of aggregate.

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In addition to concrete, aggregate materials are key for roadway construction, being used for retaining walls, drainage ditches, and even the pavement itself.  

To see the viability of aggregate processing as a business, one needs only to examine the profitability of the industry as a whole over the past few decades.  This mundane sector has achieved higher returns than many notable companies in the tech and software space.

These industrial operations have been able to continuously aggregate profits across a many environments, through efficient harvesting and distribution of a valuable construction commodity.

FUN FACT TRANSITION = In preparation for hosting the 2022 Men’s World Cup, the nation of Qatar built 7 new football venues.  [REF]

There are many words in the English language that can be used for multiple parts of speech.  However, there are few with as much breadth as aggregate.

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All manner of things can be aggregated, most notably knowledge.  It’s valuable to keep accumulating information, like tallies in a sports event, data in a security system, price changes at the grocery store, or the necessary materials for a household project. 

Fortunately, the capacity of the human mind to aggregate and analyze is nearly unlimited.   

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Details:​

• Breakdown of the word entomology for “aggregate”.  [REF]

• Overview of aggregate scoring in soccer tournaments.  [REF]

• Subscriber metrics and content options for top video streaming services.  [REF]

• Detailed documentation of the modern Chinese consumer with lots of charts and data.  [REF]

• A basic primer on construction aggregates.  [REF]