Science Communication Secrets (Wired.com, XKCD’s Randall Monroe on What If 2?)

Don’t think about it as if people aren’t smart. Think about it like people are busy.

From wired.com, Randall Monroe

https://www.wired.com/story/randall-munroe-is-back-to-answer-your-impossible-questions/

We scientists need to talk gooder. Randall is an excellent example of taking complex scientific ideas and making them understandable and relatable. I love his quote above:

“Don’t think of it like people aren’t smart. Think about it like people are busy.”

This is a paradigm shift for science (and all) writers: respect your audience. People know when they’re being talked down to.

This reminds me of one-page executive summaries to get your point across quickly.

CMIO’s take? Not only is Randall funny, see his http://xkcd.com comic series, but he is also insightful. Get his book, read his strip, its all good.

Author: CT Lin

CMIO, UCHealth (Colorado); Professor, University of Colorado School of Medicine

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