TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Playing dumb? Not! From:"O'Neill, Kate" <kateo -at- CINEBASE -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 23 Mar 1999 10:03:10 -0800
Geoffrey Hart spake thusly:
> There's a huge difference between playing dumb and admitting your
> ignorance. If you play dumb, don't expect an awful lot of respect.
I agree. That's just what I've been thinking as I read
through all the suggestions to "play dumb." But I also
got the feeling that it was not the best choice of words
to convey what the original author was trying to say.
IME, utter ignorance of a subject gets little information
and even less respect from SMEs; I've had far better luck
trying to be semi-articulate in summarizing what I -do-
understand and where my knowledge has gaps. Every SME is
different, of course, but most whom I've encountered are
intrigued by what could be confusing me once they see that
I have a fair chunk of the subject down.
That's only, of course, -if- I have a fair chunk of the
subject down. If I'm totally clueless, I don't usually like
to approach the SMEs unless there's no other way I can start
educating myself. Experts are often not the best resources
for absolute novices.
--
Kate O'Neill
Manager of Documentation, Cinebase Software
kateo -at- cinebase -dot- com http://www.cinebase.com/
direct: 650-568-7343 general: 650-568-7320
