Great explainers needed
Posted on: September 27, 2008You can count on humankind always having a hunger for great explainers. People like Carl Sagan, Seth Godin, and David Pogue who demystify the complicated in easily-digested, entertaining packets. It's not about dumbing-down: it's encouraging people to get on the rolling hill and learn to climb mountains.
Someone who lazes out on presets and templates is faulting themselves. But good starting points are a psychological determinant for how much further someone might go if shown an easier door.
The same is true with workarounds which aren't as elegant as streamlined solutions, but nonetheless — workable.
If you want to benefit yourself and others — how win-win synergistic is that? — become a great explainer. It's not a point, it's a process (as I've learned), and it starts with you sharing not where just where you traveled to, but how you made the journey, and what you packed with you.
On this blog, I'll often share what happened on the surface, but also, deeper tales which led to the decisions I made. Intent matters: it's like the golf swing, then you need the follow-through.
Vivid examples, punchy anecdotes, promising stories are all important to follow-through. Not because they're touchy-feely, but because they build on what has already happened. Like science is based on experiments, a great explanation comes after experience.
Go for it — start spreading your knowledge today, and if you're already mid-course, keep spreading your seeds. You'll never, ever regret it.
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September 27th, 2008 at 8:22 AM PDT
Issac Asimov was known as "the great explainer" and was a favorite author of mine growing up. I've cultivated the skill of explaining complicated things in simple ways, and use it daily at Help Island as well as various MMOGs over the past 10 years or so. I've found it not only challenging but rewarding, especially when someone new gives me a huge "thank you" for the help!
September 27th, 2008 at 3:09 PM PDT
I explain things to the government. I do it for pay (which is very nice), but I don't charge until I'm fairly certain heads are wrapped around things securely. Experience can be helpful, but I've received absolute *epiphanies* from those who have traveled the road but a short distance. Even bigger epiphanies from those who chose the road less traveled. What to pack for the journey? Hmmm? A good thesaurus, a handful of Ogden Nash's poems, and a very large box of animal crackers. Oh yes, and in my case, the Complete Works Of Sigmund Freud (stacked) so I can reach the table .
September 27th, 2008 at 7:40 PM PDT
@Ghosty: I would've namedropped Asimov in a heartbeat. One of my fave authors. Incidentally, was reading about The Mule in Foundation today. I feel so rewarded when someone I've helped someone elsed.
@~Mags: I'm fond of epiphanies when they happen. Often I think they're just bubbling under the surface, as layers get flaked away. Sounds like you've got a great collection of stuff for your trip.
September 28th, 2008 at 12:45 AM PDT
[...] MiaSnow is Coming From Inspired yesterday by Torley Linden's article Great Explainers Needed, i'm giving it a go! i don't know how great i'll be
but i will try to be free [...]
September 28th, 2008 at 11:43 AM PDT
O.O ooOOo i didn't know it would do that automatically. i wasn't ready^^; but thanks Torley, you inspire people!