I saw some factoids on a science television show today. It illustrated the importance of making meaningful comparisons in trying to communicate information.
The first one compared an earthquake of a certain intensity on the Richter scale to the detonation of a certain mass of tri nitro toluene. This is an unmeaningful comparison to most people, because neither one has a physical meaning to most people. Also the means of comparison, which is likely energy, is not stated nor does that have a translated meaning in human experience.
The second comparison was better and illustrated the distance that a famous fault in California moved per year. THat distance was stated and then said to be similar to the speed that one's fingernails grow. This is good because fingernails growing is a common human experience. It is, however, also easier because units of length are more easy to udnerstand.
This is applicable to other means of communication where people have to have an understanding of the terms and context of your communication in order to really understand it.
Posted by Ryan Chen-Wing at February 14, 2004 10:57 PM