Principal Investigator
From Subject to Researcher
The journey behind the Digital Depth Economy™ research initiative
Lonelle Madsen
Principal Investigator, Digital Depth Economy™ research initiative
Lonelle Madsen is the principal investigator of the Digital Depth Economy research initiative, which examines the intersection of personality psychology and digital business mental health. Her research focuses on the experiences of deep-thinking, deep-feeling digital entrepreneurs (DTFDEs) and the professionals who serve them.
With a background spanning both academic research and practical experience, Lonelle brings a unique perspective to this emerging field of study. Her work is driven by a commitment to understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of digital business challenges and developing evidence-based approaches to address them.
As a researcher who began as a subject of her own investigation, Lonelle is particularly interested in the methodological considerations of insider research and the ethical implications of developing frameworks for neurodivergent populations.
Research Credentials
9-Year Longitudinal Study
Systematic observation and documentation of patterns among deep-thinking entrepreneurs in digital business environments.
Systematic Investigation
Structured investigation of observed patterns, including literature review, preliminary interviews, and conceptual framework development.
Preliminary Framework Development
Development of proprietary diagnostic and strategic frameworks including 6Core Devastations™, Stockholm64™ pattern recognition system, and Digital Positioning System (DPS)™."
Professional Development
Ongoing professional development in research methodology, personality psychology, and neurobiology to support rigorous investigation.
My journey from subject to researcher has been driven by a simple question: Why do deep-thinking entrepreneurs struggle so profoundly in digital business environments that seem to work well for others? This question led me from personal experience to systematic investigation, and ultimately to the development of the Digital Depth Economy research initiative.
— Lonelle Madsen, Principal Investigator
Research Journey
From personal experience to systematic investigation
Personal Experience (2016-2024)
The seeds of this research were planted during Lonelle's personal experience as a deep-thinking entrepreneur navigating digital business environments. Despite following conventional advice and implementing recommended strategies, she encountered persistent challenges that seemed to stem from a fundamental mismatch between her cognitive processing style and the dominant paradigms of digital business.
This experience led to an initial hypothesis: that certain neurobiological traits common among deep-thinking entrepreneurs might create a fundamental mismatch with conventional digital business environments, contributing to specific challenges in their entrepreneurial journey.
Initial Observation (2022-2024)
To test this hypothesis, Lonelle began a period of structured observation, documenting patterns among deep-thinking entrepreneurs in digital business environments. This included:
Systematic observation of common challenges and coping strategies
Documentation of patterns across different industries and business models
Preliminary literature review in relevant fields
Informal interviews with other deep-thinking entrepreneurs
This initial observation period confirmed that the patterns observed in her personal experience were not isolated incidents but appeared to be shared by a significant subset of entrepreneurs with similar cognitive processing styles.
Systematic Investigation (Jan. 2025 - April 2025)
Building on the patterns identified during the observation period, Lonelle undertook a more systematic investigation, including:
Comprehensive literature review across multiple disciplines
Structured interviews with deep-thinking entrepreneurs
Consultation with experts in personality psychology and neurobiology
Development of preliminary conceptual frameworks
This investigation led to the development of the Digital Mismatch concept as a framework for understanding the neurobiological disconnect between deep-thinking entrepreneurs and conventional digital business environments.
Preliminary Framework Development (May 2025 - July 2025)
Based on the systematic investigation, Lonelle developed proprietary frameworks to address the challenges identified:
The 6Core Devastations™ diagnostic framework for identifying and measuring root challenges experienced by deep-thinking entrepreneurs
The Stockholm64™ pattern recognition system for categorizing digital
manipulation patterns that create dependency relationshipsThe Digital Positioning System (DPS)™ strategic framework for depth-oriented entrepreneurs in surface-optimized environments
Digital Depth Pro Suite diagnostic tools including the Digital Depth Diagnostic and Digital Depth Assessment
This investigation led to the development of the Digital Mismatch concept as a framework for understanding the neurobiological disconnect between deep-thinking entrepreneurs and conventional digital business environments.
Research Initiative Launch (2023-Present)
Recognizing the need for more rigorous validation of these preliminary frameworks, Lonelle launched the Digital Depth Economy research initiative to:
Conduct formal validation studies of the preliminary frameworks
Collaborate with academic and professional partners
Develop evidence-based resources for practitioners and entrepreneurs
Contribute to the academic literature on personality psychology and digital business mental health
The initiative is currently in the pre-validation phase, seeking collaboration with professional partners to validate and refine the preliminary frameworks.
Vision & Mission
The guiding principles of the Digital Depth Economy research initiative
Vision
A digital business landscape that honors cognitive diversity and enables deep-thinking entrepreneurs to thrive on their own terms, contributing their unique gifts without compromising their neurobiological integrity.
Mission
To conduct rigorous research at the intersection of personality psychology and digital business mental health, developing evidence-based frameworks and resources that help deep-thinking entrepreneurs and the professionals who serve them navigate digital business environments more effectively.