The most popular writers of complex concepts and ideas to a lay audience understood precisely what you are saying. Richard Feynman communicated the most complex ideas there are— quantum electrodynamics—by drawing squiggly lines that transformed people’s ability to intuit and visualize the deeper dynamics and structure. Metaphor is the painting in the mind (see I just unconsciously did it there) the images and pictures that help concepts achieve a sort of “concreteness.” Hofstadter said that thinking itself is not possible without concepts and concepts are not possible without analogies. Analogies themselves come from metaphors and abstracting language from its literal roots. So, yes indeed, I agree with you fully. What good is it if the concepts and ideas you have are truely profound and have the potential to change lives; yet, no one can understand you?
Very interesting thank you! I Didn’t know about Feynman using them… well saw this way we can even say that words are themselves concepts and analogies and our whole understanding of anything go through analogies… just at different sizes. And maybe people like Feynman simply do bigger lego constructions with less bricks?
Very interesting take. Its good advice. I think maybe sometimes people who are trying to figure out their way of storytelling might get stuck between step 2 and step 3. When I look at myself as a writer, I can see myself there at times. Trying to relay larger concepts, while trying to break it down into not so complex and easily understandable words. I really agree with the metaphor advice, though I struggle sometimes, I've been teaching myself more about executing them correctly. But you are so right, so much can be conveyed with images...in fact whole concepts can be related with just one image or symbol. I will take your advice to hear Evan. Thank you
Seems like we see the same things. The gap is often between intention and capacity, as it requires real skills and consciousness I found out for myself. By the way I am trying to bring this metaphor framework to the next level for your article… we’ll see how it goes!
A person may forget the explanation, but they'll often remember the bridge, the armour, or the door years later because they can still feel what it represented.
The most popular writers of complex concepts and ideas to a lay audience understood precisely what you are saying. Richard Feynman communicated the most complex ideas there are— quantum electrodynamics—by drawing squiggly lines that transformed people’s ability to intuit and visualize the deeper dynamics and structure. Metaphor is the painting in the mind (see I just unconsciously did it there) the images and pictures that help concepts achieve a sort of “concreteness.” Hofstadter said that thinking itself is not possible without concepts and concepts are not possible without analogies. Analogies themselves come from metaphors and abstracting language from its literal roots. So, yes indeed, I agree with you fully. What good is it if the concepts and ideas you have are truely profound and have the potential to change lives; yet, no one can understand you?
Very interesting thank you! I Didn’t know about Feynman using them… well saw this way we can even say that words are themselves concepts and analogies and our whole understanding of anything go through analogies… just at different sizes. And maybe people like Feynman simply do bigger lego constructions with less bricks?
Very interesting take. Its good advice. I think maybe sometimes people who are trying to figure out their way of storytelling might get stuck between step 2 and step 3. When I look at myself as a writer, I can see myself there at times. Trying to relay larger concepts, while trying to break it down into not so complex and easily understandable words. I really agree with the metaphor advice, though I struggle sometimes, I've been teaching myself more about executing them correctly. But you are so right, so much can be conveyed with images...in fact whole concepts can be related with just one image or symbol. I will take your advice to hear Evan. Thank you
Seems like we see the same things. The gap is often between intention and capacity, as it requires real skills and consciousness I found out for myself. By the way I am trying to bring this metaphor framework to the next level for your article… we’ll see how it goes!
I enjoyed this. 💚
One thing I've noticed in my own writing is that people rarely connect with the explanation.
They connect with the image.
The bridge.
The armour.
The door.
The moment they can see it, they can feel it.
🙏💚
Yes, I have studied a bit about psychology for storytelling and that is actually the best way to transmit information ! Without feeling no connection.
Absolutely. 💚
Facts inform us.
Images stay with us.
A person may forget the explanation, but they'll often remember the bridge, the armour, or the door years later because they can still feel what it represented.
🙏💚
Thank you, amazing post gonna integrate this into my future writings!
That was meant for that! I am happy if that can help you improve your writing 😊