chrisbrogan.com - Latest Comments in Use Real Words

Re: Use Real Words

Wireless Tracking — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:34:27 -0000

Show what you know to others and do so in a way which communicates what you know radically.

Re: Use Real Words

jon — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 10:25:40 -0000

6 year olds don't lack intelligence or surprising ability to understand complex situations. However, they ARE pretty concrete. What we do too often is get really abstract in the hope that no one knows we are making it up. So for me, telling it like six is looking for concrete metaphors, simple words, lots of interaction, not just words, and working with the assumption that I am talking to someone who is capable of understanding immense things but currently is looking through a tunnel that obfuscation won't fit through. (intentionally using big words to confuse)

Here's how it applies to me. Jesus says anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it. So after all the big theology (which, of course, Jesus didn't write), unless I can figure out how to make it simple and real, I'm adding more confusion than Jesus intended. And if you want perfect examples of the kind of language and confusion that can exist, look at theology.

Re: Use Real Words

Graeme Watson — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 09:44:38 -0000

I work in the other direction, I get my Mum to read it, if she understands it, it passes the test.

Not sure what this says about my Mum, though.

Re: Use Real Words

Whitney — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 06:06:09 -0000

I think there's a difference between telling it to a six year old, and keeping it straight and direct, and here's why- I think people underestimate the intelligence of children, as well as the general american public. Politicians regularly try to "tell it to a six yr old" but they decide that therefore, nuance isn't important, and all we get are sound bites.
Robin Williams does a great riff in Mrs. Doubtfire about how a boring, educational show doesn't need to be that way, because no one needs to be talked down to. Nor does anyone need to hear a speech full of jargon and acronyms. You need to say what you mean, while stripping out the unnecessary fat.
So I agree that we need to "KISS"- 'keep it simple, stupid' as a goal, but we also have to avoid assuming our audience is therefore simple minded or stupid at the same time. respect your audience, but keep it tightened up, and you got something.

Re: Use Real Words

julien — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 00:54:18 -0000

this is a great philosophy.