why smart people write bad

TL;DR

Academic writing, often filled with complex vocabulary and jargon, can be difficult to comprehend and may hinder effective communication.

Transcript

The school make you a bad writer? To figure it out, I talk to a professional book editor. Read some of the worst pieces of academic texts and accidentally stumble across a flaw in the schooling system. Let's figure out. But first, thank you to Shortform for sponsoring a portion of this video. If you like the way Answer in Progress videos, take inte... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Academic writing often prioritizes demonstrating knowledge over effective communication, leading to complex and difficult-to-understand language.
• 😒 The use of complex language in academia can be seen as a form of elitism, making it less accessible to the public.
• 💪 Writing to demonstrate knowledge in the schooling system does not encourage the development of strong communication skills.
• 😒 Clear and concise writing is more likely to convey intelligence and expertise than the use of complex language.
• 🦡 The curse of knowledge can make academics and other professionals bad writers when they struggle to explain concepts to those without the same level of understanding.
• 💡 Storytelling can be an effective tool in communicating complex ideas in a more accessible manner.
• ✍️ Considering the audience and their background knowledge is crucial for effective communication in any form of writing.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is academic writing often difficult to understand?

Academic writing can be difficult to understand due to the use of complex vocabulary, jargon, and a lack of consideration for the general public. Academics often write for their peers and prioritize demonstrating knowledge rather than effective communication.

Q: Does the use of complex language in academic writing make individuals appear smarter?

No, studies have shown that using overly complex language actually diminishes how intelligent others perceive the writer to be. Clear and concise writing is more likely to convey intelligence and expertise.

Q: Can academics become bad writers due to the curse of knowledge?

Yes, the curse of knowledge refers to the difficulty of explaining something to others when you already possess the knowledge. Academics, who may have a deep understanding of their subjects, struggle to communicate effectively to those without the same background knowledge.

Q: How does the schooling system contribute to bad writing?

The schooling system often encourages writing to demonstrate knowledge rather than to communicate ideas effectively. Students are rewarded for using overly complicated language and filling essays with unnecessary information, which hinders their ability to write clearly in the future.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Academic writing is often filled with complex vocabulary and jargon, making it difficult for readers to understand.

• Many academics write in a complex manner to impress their peers and maintain prestige in their field.

• The use of needlessly complex language in academia can be seen as a form of elitism, making it less accessible to the public.