Fancy Jargon

Melissa Marshall gives a speech on a problem relevant to any individual’s every day life. Communication is, by definition, the exchange of ideas. Most, including Melissa, believe scientists and engineers should learn the art of communication so that the public can better understand the scientific communities’ ideas. She believes that scientists and engineers should make their explanations more tangible by using words more accessible to the general public. But in a world where science and technology is ever so prominent and quickly changing, should the public not learn scientific lingo instead?

The public should understand exactly what ideas scientists and engineers are presenting to them. Though it will take more effort for the public to become familiar with scientific and engineering terminology, it will be more beneficial for them in the future. It is extremely easy to manipulate an individual’s perception when simplifying terminology so that they are able to believe a comprehendible fallacy. As quoted in her speech, “As Einstein said, make everything as simple as possible, but no simpler.” Scientists and Engineers do not learn vocabulary to sound smart, they learn the vocabulary so that they can communicate without misinterpreting another’s idea. Things can only be simplified so much, the next step is for the rest of the world to get on board and learn how the world works so that ideas are not misconstrued.

The public should not have to learn every technical term known to science, engineering, and math, but they should have a basic understanding of these fields so that they can logically comprehend the “fancy jargon.” Instead of teaching students to talk nerdy to the public in a more comprehensible form, the public should learn to talk nerdy to each other so that they can actually participate and learn during these speeches and presentations.