Why effective scientific communication is crucial, and sometimes lacking
Isn’t it true, she asked, that it’s better to appear ‘formal’ and intelligent in the eyes of the audience than to ensure that the audience understands clearly? I was surprised that she’d asked this, but I was more surprised that other students in the audience were either in agreement with her or silent. In fact, the point this student made was the exact opposite of the truth. The first priority is conveying an understanding of the points involved. Overly florid writing may seem more formal, but it’s also more pretentious, less clear, and much less accessible to the audience.
A reminder that what is obvious to one person is not obvious to another. If your goal is to appear smart and intimidate people with your intelligence, then talking over their heads will probably accomplish that goal. But that’s not such a great tactic if you wish to actually communicate. It shouldn’t need to be pointed out, but there you go.
i would like to reply, that while at work i accomplish the above goal of appearing smart every day to the extreme disdain of my coworkers and really unconsciously to myself.
I often find myself pondering many of the worlds mysteries, the stars, and while walking how the chemical makeup of (object) came to pass, or how chlorophyll works. My coworkers often ask me something that i have (apparently) a superior knowledge of and when i try to explain it they go, “oh god, not again” in reference to my non simplistic answers.
In closing, it is much better to communicate effectively than to try to answer with detail and flourish. Though i do hate answers that aren’t correctly parametrized.