Mastering Communication: Practical Tips for Explaining Complex Concepts Clearly

[Anderson]

In academia, we often strive for complexity, diving into the intricate and nuanced aspects of our fields. However, outside of academia, people tend to seek simplicity and clarity. This presents a challenge: how do we talk about complex ideas in a way that’s accessible and relatable? How can we find common ground with people who may not have the same background or expertise?

Today, I found myself in this exact situation. I was discussing some complex concepts, but I realized that it might not have been clear to everyone. It’s not that people lack the capacity to understand; rather, understanding requires these concepts to fit into an existing system of knowledge—a framework that already exists in their minds.

One of the great child psychologists, Jean Piaget, explored the concept of adaptation as a mental process, breaking it down into two key components: assimilation and accommodation. These terms might sound intimidating, but they essentially describe two ways of adapting to new information. 

Accommodation is about adjusting to new conditions - think of how our eyes focus when we look at objects at different distances. The lens of our eye continually changes shape to bring things into focus. Similarly, in cognitive terms, accommodation involves altering your current way of thinking to incorporate new information.

Assimilation, on the other hand, is about fitting new information into what we already know. Imagine trying to fit a new train car into an already moving train. You’re not fundamentally changing the train; you’re simply adding to it. In terms of knowledge, this means integrating new concepts into existing mental structures.

However, this integration only works when there’s a robust underlying structure to begin with. If someone has well-formed conceptual thinking and understands how ideas connect and reflect reality, they can assimilate new information with relative ease. But if their mental framework is poorly developed or fragmented, the process becomes much more difficult. 

This is why effective communication of complex ideas often fails - not because people can’t understand, but because there’s nothing in their existing cognitive framework for the new information to latch onto. For example, many people can hold two conflicting ideas at once: understanding that the world is objective while also perceiving it through their personal lens. However, without a solid cognitive structure, these ideas can feel disjointed or contradictory.

Think of talking to a dog: you can say, “Let’s go eat,” or you can just walk to the kitchen. In either case, the dog will understand because it’s relying on cues, not complex reasoning. Similarly, when talking to people without a strong conceptual foundation, it’s like speaking in a way that’s just enough to trigger action, but not necessarily deep understanding. 

This lack of deeper understanding is a growing issue. Many conversations today feel like sinking into a sort of cognitive quicksand—an unstructured mess where ideas don’t connect. The real “aha!” moments only happen when new information finds a suitable place within an existing framework.

For years, when I spoke about the concept of “information pseudo-stupidity” in business contexts, people would nod but still ask, “So what do we do about it?” The simplest answer I could give was automation—essentially bypassing the need for understanding by having systems do the work instead. But now, we’re at a critical point where artificial intelligence can’t fully take over, and human capability to manage complexity seems to be waning. 

To navigate this, we must approach conversations with three key steps: 

1. Provide Clear Instructions: Start with actionable guidance that doesn’t rely on complex reasoning.
   
2. Understand the Context: Recognize the existing mental or emotional state of the person you’re engaging with. Often, they are dealing with their own incomplete narratives or unresolved issues (unfinished gestalts) that color their understanding.

3. Reconstruct the Situation: Help them see a path forward based on their own needs and perspective, even if it means simplifying the message to fit their cognitive framework.

Sometimes, simplification is essential. For example, when explaining death to a child, you might say, “They’ve gone to heaven,” not because it’s a literal truth, but because it helps the child cope. They don’t fully understand, but the explanation soothes them, resolving their immediate emotional conflict. Similarly, in adult conversations, simplifying complex topics can help close the emotional or intellectual gap, even if the understanding remains surface-level.

At the end of the day, if deeper understanding seems impossible, try to automate where you can, use clear instructions, or adapt your message to the person’s cognitive capacity. And always, avoid spending too much time engaging with those who are not equipped—or willing—to engage with complex ideas meaningfully.

Some Thoughts

This discussion underscores a growing divide between the complexity that professionals often engage with and the simplicity that the general public craves. The challenge is not just about dumbing things down; it's about bridging cognitive gaps in ways that still respect the integrity of the information. I think one of the biggest hurdles in modern communication is not just simplifying complex ideas but doing so without losing their essence. The real skill lies in being able to connect with different audiences without sacrificing the richness of the concepts we’re trying to share. And in a world where automation and AI are on the rise, finding that balance will only become more crucial.

[Anderson]

1. Examples of Complexity vs. Simplicity in Real Life
In the world of science, explaining complex concepts to a general audience often requires a creative touch. Take quantum physics, for instance. In academia, it’s a deep dive into wave functions, probability distributions, and the uncertainty principle. However, when communicating these ideas to a broader audience, scientists often use analogies, like Schrödinger’s cat, to represent the idea of superposition without the need for advanced mathematics. Similarly, in technology, we might describe blockchain as a “digital ledger” rather than delving into cryptographic protocols. This simplification helps people grasp the core idea without being bogged down by the technical intricacies, proving that the right analogy can make even the most complex topics accessible. Some other examples: 

• Wi-Fi: To a tech expert, Wi-Fi involves radio waves, routers, IP addresses, and network protocols. But when explaining it to someone less familiar, we might just say, “Wi-Fi is like an invisible cord that connects your devices to the internet,” making the concept easy to understand without diving into technical specifics.

• Cloud Storage: Technically, cloud storage involves data centers, servers, and encryption protocols. However, a simple way to explain it is, “It’s like a virtual locker where you can keep your files safe and access them from anywhere.” This analogy conveys the core idea without getting into the backend mechanics.

2. More About Piaget’s Theory and Application
Piaget’s theories of assimilation and accommodation extend far beyond child psychology; they’re at play every time we learn something new, whether it’s adopting a new technology or navigating a social situation. For instance, when a person learns a new language, they initially try to fit new words into their existing linguistic framework (assimilation). But as the language becomes more complex, they must adjust their way of thinking about grammar and structure (accommodation). This dynamic process of fitting new information into our mental schema or altering that schema to accommodate new knowledge is fundamental to growth, highlighting how adaptable our minds can be when faced with the unfamiliar.

3. The Role of Emotions in Understanding
Emotions play a critical role in how we process and understand information. When people encounter complexity, they may feel anxious, overwhelmed, or even defensive, which can shut down their ability to absorb new ideas. This emotional response often creates a barrier to learning, leading people to cling to simpler, more familiar explanations even when they are incorrect. To communicate complex ideas effectively, it’s crucial to consider the emotional state of your audience. Techniques such as storytelling, using relatable metaphors, or gradually building complexity can help ease people into understanding without triggering cognitive or emotional resistance.

4. Practical Tips for Communicating Complex Ideas
Communicating complex ideas doesn’t have to be a daunting task if approached with the right strategies. First, start with the basics—outline the core idea in the simplest terms before layering in details. Use analogies that are familiar to your audience; comparing a complex process to something well-known can create instant understanding. Visual aids, such as diagrams or infographics, can also help break down intricate concepts into digestible pieces. Encourage questions and provide space for dialogue, allowing your audience to connect new information to what they already know. The goal is to create a bridge between the unknown and the familiar, making the complex not just understandable but engaging.

5. Deeper Dive into “Information Pseudo-stupidity”
“Information pseudo-stupidity” is a phenomenon where the sheer volume of information available overwhelms the capacity to process and understand it meaningfully. This isn’t about a lack of intelligence; it’s about the overload that comes with trying to make sense of conflicting, abundant, or poorly structured data. Imagine scrolling through social media: a mix of headlines, opinions, facts, and misinformation creates a cognitive noise that’s hard to filter. This information overload can lead to superficial understanding or reliance on simplistic interpretations. Combatting this requires developing critical thinking skills and the ability to discern reliable sources, helping people to form coherent, accurate understandings in a sea of noise.

6. Implications of AI on Understanding
The rise of AI presents both an opportunity and a challenge. AI can process vast amounts of data and provide simplified insights, making complex systems more navigable for the average person. However, this also creates a dependency that might diminish our own cognitive engagement with the material. As AI systems take over more decision-making processes, there’s a risk that people will stop engaging with the underlying complexities altogether, losing the ability to critically assess the information provided. It’s crucial to strike a balance: using AI as a tool to enhance understanding without letting it become a crutch that erodes our capacity to think deeply and independently.

7. Call to Action for Personal Development
Building your cognitive capacity to understand complex topics is a lifelong endeavor. Engaging with diverse sources, reading widely, and challenging yourself to understand perspectives different from your own can help strengthen your conceptual thinking. Practice critical thinking by questioning assumptions and breaking down arguments to their core components. Developing these skills not only makes you better at processing complex information but also improves decision-making, problem-solving, and creativity. Remember, complexity isn’t something to shy away from; it’s an opportunity to grow and expand your mental framework.

8. Insight into Cognitive Diversity
People process information in various ways—some are visual learners, others are more analytical, and some rely heavily on intuition. This cognitive diversity means that a one-size-fits-all approach to communication often falls short. When explaining complex ideas, consider the cognitive style of your audience. Visual learners might benefit from diagrams or videos, while analytical thinkers may prefer detailed data and logical structures. Adapting your communication style not only makes your message more accessible but also shows respect for the varied ways in which people understand the world.

9. Societal Impact and Trends
The preference for simplicity over complexity has profound implications on how we engage with media, politics, and education. Simplified messages often dominate headlines, leading to shallow debates and a lack of nuanced understanding in public discourse. This trend can create echo chambers where simplified, often polarizing narratives thrive, crowding out more thoughtful, balanced perspectives. To counter this, it’s important to promote media literacy and encourage deeper engagement with topics, fostering a culture that values understanding over easy answers.

10. More on the Gap Between Experts and the Public
The communication gap between experts and the general public can lead to mistrust, misinformation, and poor decision-making at both individual and societal levels. Experts often speak in terms laden with jargon, assuming a level of background knowledge that the public doesn’t have. This disconnect can result in critical information being misunderstood or ignored. To bridge this gap, experts need to be trained in effective communication strategies, emphasizing clarity, relatability, and engagement. Meanwhile, fostering a culture that values lifelong learning and curiosity can help the public meet experts halfway, creating a more informed and connected society.