4 ms·
steep learning curve usually means the opposite of what the author wants to say: "The common expression "a steep learning curve" is a misnomer suggesting that
by yboris 4y ago
steep learning curve usually means the opposite of what the author wants to say:
"The common expression "a steep learning curve" is a misnomer suggesting that an activity is difficult to learn and that expending much effort does not increase proficiency by much, although a learning curve with a steep start actually represents rapid progress."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_curve https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_curve
When writing, consider "challenging learning curve" instead (I'd love other suggestions too).
- creata 4y agoEasy fix, put time on the y-axis.
- blep_ 4y agoIf essentially everyone uses it to mean one thing, that's what it means now. That's how definitions work.
- IAmYourDensity 4y agoDoes that apply to “Hacker” in Hacker News?
- ketralnis 4y agoSure. Language is contextual. If you find yourself explaining why hacker isn't really hacker to the people that you talk to _about_ hacker news, then yes it is actually impeding communication
- thomastjeffery 4y agoYou can consider a function with a steep slope from either perspective. The defining factor is the context that function exists in.
- martinflack 4y agoI always imagined a mountain climb. So steep learning curve would mean daunting, high effort, high "drag" (gravity), but if you undertake it and push hard, you do, in fact, gain tons of utility (rather than proficiency per se) in a short amount of time.