4 ms·

The cleverest people about the topics don't usually like talking to laymen, because their knowledge is at expert-level - laymen would not be able to contribute.

The cleverest people about the topics don't usually like talking to laymen, because their knowledge is at expert-level - laymen would not be able to contribute. If I speak C++ with a beginner programmer it gets boring for me quickly. People who just have a surface knowledge or just learned some stuff by watching national geographic or some pop science thing seem the most willing to impart knowledge.

anonjon 17y ago
I think that is an over-generalization. There is no point in gaining a whole bunch of knowledge if you are not going to pass it on somehow. You are not going to use it as you decompose. I think that the cleverest people I have met were also really good at explaining things in terms that almost anyone could understand. In fact, I think that not being able to explain something to a 'layman' is actually indicative of having a superficial understanding of a topic. Even if there is a large amount of superficial (memorized) knowledge, there isn't necessarily any insight. The best way to learn and remember and understand anything, for me, is to try to explain it to someone else. It is the easiest way to really think about a topic.
- maxklein 17y ago
  If you meet Einstein, how likely do you think it is he wants to talk about relativity with you? You would be the how manyeth person who does not understand the topic? You really think he is interested in explaining it to every person he meets who has no idea?
  - anonjon 17y ago
    I'm thinking 100% likelihood if I expressed a genuine interest.
    - maxklein 17y ago
      I'm thinking you're thinking wrong, but I, as a person who often gets lectured and thinks this is annoying, bow to your opinion.
scootklein 17y ago
On the contrary, I find beginners most fascinating when talking with them about things i know more about (or presume that I do). Specifically, I remember what my state of mind was at their experience level and what it took to get there. What's always interesting to me is finding out how THEY got to that point, what problems they are having, what they're most intrigued or challenged by, etc. I think we can learn a lot from beginner understanding, especially as it pertains to ourselves delving into new subjects and getting our baby legs with new technologies and approaches to technology.

anonjon 17y ago

I think that is an over-generalization. There is no point in gaining a whole bunch of knowledge if you are not going to pass it on somehow. You are not going to use it as you decompose. I think that the cleverest people I have met were also really good at explaining things in terms that almost anyone could understand. In fact, I think that not being able to explain something to a 'layman' is actually indicative of having a superficial understanding of a topic. Even if there is a large amount of superficial (memorized) knowledge, there isn't necessarily any insight. The best way to learn and remember and understand anything, for me, is to try to explain it to someone else. It is the easiest way to really think about a topic.

maxklein 17y ago
If you meet Einstein, how likely do you think it is he wants to talk about relativity with you? You would be the how manyeth person who does not understand the topic? You really think he is interested in explaining it to every person he meets who has no idea?
- anonjon 17y ago
  I'm thinking 100% likelihood if I expressed a genuine interest.
  - maxklein 17y ago
    I'm thinking you're thinking wrong, but I, as a person who often gets lectured and thinks this is annoying, bow to your opinion.

scootklein 17y ago

On the contrary, I find beginners most fascinating when talking with them about things i know more about (or presume that I do). Specifically, I remember what my state of mind was at their experience level and what it took to get there. What's always interesting to me is finding out how THEY got to that point, what problems they are having, what they're most intrigued or challenged by, etc. I think we can learn a lot from beginner understanding, especially as it pertains to ourselves delving into new subjects and getting our baby legs with new technologies and approaches to technology.