Dem recently sent me a link to a site that had the following quote from Albert Einstein: "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough."
That is exactly how I feel. I originally got the idea from C.S. Lewis discussing language. He was explaining how it shows more understanding to use simple words because its the technical terms that are really just short hand for a whole bunch of simple words and ignorance can be hidden by using the technical term.
Here is an example from fluid mechanics..."Couette Flow". Sounds technical, but really all it is is a simplfied way of saying you are discussing "a fluid filled between two parallel plates with no variation in pressure in fluid and the plate on the bottom not moving and the plate on top moving at some speed, creating a linear velocity profile in the fluid from zero at the non-moving plate to the speed of the moving plate at the top plate." Now these terms may need some further explanation, but what you see is that true knowledge of the subject allows for further explanation of each term in the definition until it can be conveyed to anyone.
So whenever someone uses a term that you don't know, make them explain it...you'll find out if they really know what they are talking about and if they do you'll probably be able to learn something new.
That is exactly how I feel. I originally got the idea from C.S. Lewis discussing language. He was explaining how it shows more understanding to use simple words because its the technical terms that are really just short hand for a whole bunch of simple words and ignorance can be hidden by using the technical term.
Here is an example from fluid mechanics..."Couette Flow". Sounds technical, but really all it is is a simplfied way of saying you are discussing "a fluid filled between two parallel plates with no variation in pressure in fluid and the plate on the bottom not moving and the plate on top moving at some speed, creating a linear velocity profile in the fluid from zero at the non-moving plate to the speed of the moving plate at the top plate." Now these terms may need some further explanation, but what you see is that true knowledge of the subject allows for further explanation of each term in the definition until it can be conveyed to anyone.
So whenever someone uses a term that you don't know, make them explain it...you'll find out if they really know what they are talking about and if they do you'll probably be able to learn something new.
3 comments:
Great advice. I couldn't agree with you more.
"...creating a linear velocity profile in the fluid from zero at the non-moving plate to the speed of the moving plate at the top plate."
So, why does the fluid behave that way? :)
Very tru Mon Frere`. Jesus presents deep concepts to people in a very simple way. Simply telling Nicodemus that he must be "Born Again" to be saved. Then as you stated, when further explanation was requested Jesus could easily break down a concept in an understandable way.
For some reason i enjoy saying things as complex as possible first, thereby avoiding all further questioning on the matter.
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