Re: Hello from Oz

[Michael LaTorra <mikel -at- HUEY -dot- ACCUGRAPH -dot- COM>]

Margaret Penman wrote (in part):

I propose that good communicators have (amongst other things):

  * the ability to recognise the patterns within a system and the
  relationships between its components (analysis),

  * the ability to view a system/idea from several perspectives
  (imagination, mental flexibility, empathy.)

 . .  . . .

  And if so, what do we (communicators) have in common with mathematicians and
  musicians?  I propose we all have highly developed analytical skills BUT that
  in addition:
          * communicators have superb empathy,
          * mathematicians have incredible processing powers/memories (200MG),
          * musicians are in touch with their souls (subconscious/right-brain
            call it what you will) and probably a whole lot more.
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Yes, I think that most of what you've said is very probably true.  But
I wonder why some people become writers instead of mathematicians or
musicians.  Is the choice of one or the other forced on us by our environment,
our heredity, or is it a free will decision?

While I like music and esteem mathematics, I must confess
that I'm not very good at either one.  However, my verbal ability is
my strength, so that's what I've followed.  When I was younger I wanted
to be a scientist (and still read avidly in that area), but as I went
through school, it soon became obvious that I was beating my head against
a wall in higher mathematics, while I breezed through writing, grammar,
foreign languages, and the like.  So even though I would have liked to
pursue a career in science, I knew that I could not go very far in it
without very strong mathematical skills.  Therefore, I chose to become
a technical writer.  But was this really a choice, or simply the best
available viable option?

Has anyone else on this list had a similar kind of experience?


Live long & prosper,
Mike LaTorra

Documentation Supervisor
Accugraph Inc.
mikel -at- accugraph -dot- com
.....................................................................
The opinions expressed are my own, ][ "Politics is the business of
and not necessarily those of my    ][  getting power and privilege
company -- but they probably       ][  without possessing merit."
should be.                         ][   -- P.J. O'Rourke
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