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Subject:RE: The Problem with STC From:jgarison -at- ide -dot- com To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Mon, 11 Dec 2000 15:43:32 -0500
Herm wrote:
> But must we not cast any technical explanation in a framework of
> meaning for the reader? One would hardly go into quantum physics
> and calculus with a lay reader, but yet must make the techncial
> explanation a sensible one that the reader can appreciate and
> "understand" on some level. - Herm
I maintain that the writer must have an understanding of quantum physics as
well as calculus in order to understand himself first before he could
successfully explain it to the reader.
I'm currently reading "The Elegant Universe" by Brine Greene which attempts
to explain superstring theory, relativity, and the Grand Unification Theory
without resorting to mathematics. I'm not that far into it yet, but I am
impressed with the author's ability to convey extremely complicated
information very clearly (I won't say 'simply" because it's still quite
complex.). I would bet anything that the author is well versed in both
physics as well as calculus, but he does the understanding for the reader,
and relays only what the reader needs to understand.
I think it was Feynman who said: If you really understand something, you can
explain it to a college freshman. The understanding is the key - and not
"just" the current subject matter - its relevance and relation to other,
similar topics is also very important. It's up to us as the writers to make
the connections for our readers.
John
John Garison
Documentation Manager
IDe
150 Baker Avenue Extension
Concord, MA 01742
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