Why Techies Talk Funny

The world is divided into two groups: the "Techies" and the "non-Techies."  The later group knows that the former group talks and writes funny.  Both groups believe that clarity is key to quality communication.  Why are they different?

"Techies" are taught through their entire academic formation that they need to study, understand, and communicate about objective reality, the focus of science.  For them, precision is key to clarity.  The more detailed and accurate a description is, the clearer it is.  If the receiver (listener or reader) has difficulty with the language and verbal discriminations made, then that listener is "impaired."  The imperative of Objectivity means the person receiving has the obligation to increase his or her capacity to understand the technical distinctions.  There is no apology at stake...for Techies believe that "models should be as simple as possible, and no simpler."   If a Techie doesn't understand a non-Techie communication the conclusion is "it's not precise enough."  If a Techie doesn't understand a Techie communication the conclusion is "I don't know enough."

"non-Techies" believe that quality communication is a subjective challenge.  What happens to the receiver IS part of the quality.  As above, clarity is key to reaching that quality.  But precision is NOT synonymous with clarity, and in fact can work against it.  Simplicity can enhance clarity at the expense of precision.  Words should be chosen so that they get the "right idea across" even if they are not exact.  The technically correct words may be confusing, tiresome, distracting, and destroy clarity.  When frustrated by a Techie communication, there is a strong sense of "I'm O.K., so I certainly should be able to understand this...this Techie talks funny."

My personal conclusion is that the non-Techies have it right, but must admit that subjective clarity sometimes demands objective technical precision--when and where the subject matter demands it.  This is NOT identical to "when and where the subject is technical."  There are three factors involved in any communication" the sender, the receiver, and the subject.    Unfortunately it is often the sender which alone determines the mode.  Sometime the subject is left out of the consideration and only the sender and receiver are considered.  In my opinion two factors are key: the receiver and the subject; and together they should determine the mode the communication should take.  The sender should be versatile enough to use either mode and all the shades in-between

 


© 2002 Michael E. Doherty