4 ms·

This definitely is a bit over-generalized, but I think it makes some good points. One of the things I admire most about a few of the smartest people I have met

by wmwong 16y ago

This definitely is a bit over-generalized, but I think it makes some good points. One of the things I admire most about a few of the smartest people I have met is their ability to explain things in a very simple way. Furthermore, they are able to break down problems into very simple solutions. I definitely have troubles with doing this. Many of my solutions are complex. With quite a lot of effort, I am able to simplify the solution bit by bit, but when I talk to one of these people, their solutions blow me away. I always walk away saying to myself, "Why didn't I think of that? It's so simple!". I hope it's practice, and if I get enough, I'll someday be able to do what they do.

yewweitan 16y ago
Depends on the discipline though. Hacking will never be communicated accurately to non-hackers in the same way that jazz will never sound right to the non-musician. I do agree that good communicators manage to somehow frame their thoughts in a way that encourages other people to think a little further, and realise some truth that was staring them in the face. After all, peotry is about making new things familar and familar things new. It's unfortunate that great communication is largely unscalable (and hence the reason why YC exists).