Take the first example. I had no idea the missing piece of information was “the weight issue”. How was I supposed to know that? Because you said you didn’t like to exercise — and you like cooking? No. That’s too big a leap. I know plenty of people who like cooking, don’t like to exercise, and have no problems with their weight. You thought you were being clever, and in the process, you “shut up” a vital piece of information.

Your overall message is valuable enough, and that message is “respect your audience’s intelligence”. But I’m afraid this article has only proven than “shutting up” can also lead to reader confusion and a tendency to obfuscate concepts. (And I used the word “obfuscate” as a nod to the intelligence you’re sure everybody has.)

Be clear. Be concise. Be complete. And be very cautious when trying to be clever.

There’s a very valuable lesson here for me and while one side of the fence loves how I link and elaborate for them, the other side of the fence hates it.

I have to admit that my time has become more valuable and rather than explaining what I want to convey, I simply link to another source and let them make up their own mind.

It’s not the notes that you play that make you a good musician, it’s the notes that you don’t play. The empty spaces are what really makes the music. Not a ton of notes.

This can be seen in life as well. All matter is made up of mostly what?

…empty space

Great article