So, he was technically a nerd, and nerds need to interface in society in a non-standard ways.
Sometimes, I define a nerd as somebody who thinks that the purpose of communication is to submit their ideas to peer review. Normal people understand that the primary pupose of communication is to negotiate alignment. And these purposes tend to conflict, which means that nerds have to learn how to interact with society at large."
Who is the reviewier in the nerd's view of communcation?
Everybody who is considered to be a peer. So whatever hapless individual is around when they try to make him or her the gift of information.
— Joscha Bach, Lex Fridman #101
This insight struck a deep chord because I recognize myself in it.
I crave understanding. Give me the why and the how behind things. When we’re in conversation together, I want to learn from you. I want to walk away richer because of our exchange.
When we touch on a subject that I’ve gathered knowledge about, my instinct is to pass along everything. It’s not that I want to demonstrate what I’ve learned, it’s that I want you to share in the treasure that I’ve uncovered.
I’ve found, though, that most people don’t share this same appetite for information.
Negotiate on click
When I stumbled across Pedro Duarte’s site, I recognized one of those “non-standard interfaces,” and it is wonderful.
The initial view affords only the most basic detail. Additional context, parentheticals, and qualifiers remain hidden until requested.
If done well, I suspect that extra dimensions of meaning might emerge over the interaction. Which words disclose which phrases? How do these discrete pieces of information integrate as more detail is layered on?
The design isn't just clever UI; it's one possible bridge between the conflicting communication styles Joscha called out, allowing information density to become a conversation rather than a declaration.
It’s an invitation to negotiate the rhythm of the gift.