Don’t even think about complex topics in the context of “dumbing it down.” That framing sets you up to talk down to readers. Instead, think of it as finding “shared language.” e.g., how would you tell a friend you respect about it, if they were unfamiliar with the subject?

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LOVE THIS. That's a great way to explain it! (And on a meta-level, this uses simple language to explain something important and fraught.)

I’ve always told clients in tech support: “You’re not dumb. You’re just inexperienced with this specific area of specialty and its terminology. I’m sure I don’t know the details of your area of expertise.”

Thisssssssss.

Fwiw people also know "accessible" is a code word for "dumbing it down". bsky.app/profile/jnxo...

100% this!

When I do #SciComm training, I say “you’re not dumbing anything down because you’re not talking to dumb people. You’re talking to people who are smart at something different from what you’re smart at.” I find that perspective helps