Clarity

Clarity

Important read from David Amerland on how the brain filters the words we use.

Clarity is of prime importance when writing on the web. One theme targeted to one person.

Originally shared by David Amerland

Clarity

The words we use to construct a sentence are the result of higher executive function in the brain that chooses one word over another based upon our understanding of the connections one word has to many others which affect how we perceive it. Our perception of a word determines its meaning. Meaning is the result of each word's placement in a sentence.

There are two things you can take away from this. First, that words are vehicles whose meaning will change with usage. This is why language constantly evolves (crass example, "being gay", today does not immediately mean "having fun"). Second, the choices our brains make when we speak (or write) reveal our depth of knowledge, awareness of semantic relationships and understanding of the real world. This is why writers write better as they mature. Their collection of filters through which to run the data of the world their brains collect affects the quality of their writing.

Clear thinking leads to incisive perceptions and the ability to focus on what is really important.

Just one of the nuggets from an upcoming book of mine (out next year). If you have not already asked to receive updates and selected content but would like to, drop me a line at davidamerland@gmail.com with "New Book" on the subject line. (I will send you a kitten). ;)