Anyone who has raised kids, managed, taught, worked in sales, advertising or PR or politics know many of the ins and outs of successful -- and not successful -- communication. Unless you are content to preach to the choir, your success in communication is first directly linked to your ability to listen and read. Then, of really equal importance, your ability to speak and write with an homage to Occam and the KISS acronym is paramount to your skill in communicating. (Tell 'em what you are going to tell 'em, tell 'em, and tell 'em what you told 'em.)
That being said, there are issues of style, tone, emphasis, directness, all of which can create considerable tension in the communicator. Do you answer a question directly, do you suggest ways the poster can work toward an answer, do you chastise ad hominem remarks? Do you decide an oblique answer is appropriate?
In my view, there are many participants in the forum who, on occasion, hit the target of excellent posts. And the same people may, in another post, go over the top, get it wrong, write small essays celebrating personal views, and so on. It's a mixed bag for everyone.
If you are serious about your writing and communication, then there are two books you absolutely must have and read, and read, and read. They are the classic "The Elements of Style", Strunk and White, and "On Writing Well", William Zinsser, who, among other things, discusses writing about science and technology.
Sad to say, the Intelligent Design and Creationist folks are well ahead of us, those who support Evolution, in their communications. My favorite example is, "Well, evolution is just a theory." The use of "just" is brilliant and very deceptive. "Well if evolution is just a theory, I certainly don't want my child to learn it; I had no idea..." I've heard this more than once.
In my opinion, mainstream science must visit Madison Ave. and attend spin school, and really listen to the other side. Note; advertising and pr and spin do not have to be dishonest. Like a TV ad says, "We're going to make Accounts Receivable exciting again."
Regards,
Reilly Atkinson
) Can I explain to you later?
