I find explaining any actually interesting idea usually requires explaining like 5 subsidiary ideas. If you’re lucky. If you’re unlucky it’s like 25 and either they’re ready for a three hour lecture or you’re not going to succeed.

As we encounter complex ideas, they’re often explained with a form of semantic algebra. You understand X, and this is a bit like that, but different...

Understanding is worth the effort.

simplicity is difficult because there's no room to hide the lack of clear conviction that complexity affords

1) Try to explain the concept as best as you can (ideally out loud, as this is much more effective). Pretend you’re having an imaginary conversation where you are explaining the concept to someone else.

2) While explaining the concept, focus on making it easier for them to understand.

3) Repeat this over and over, iteratively refining your explanatio... See more