False impressions

 

False impressions

For the avoidance of doubt, I have to research much of the information I write in my blog posts. There are a few things I know, like how to tell the difference between male and female starlings, or the colour of an octopus’s blood, or what is meant by a fronted adverbial (one of the dafter things ten and eleven-year-olds need to know, apparently)  but even those I check to make sure I’ve got my facts right.

Sometimes what we know to be right evolves to become incorrect or inaccurate as new evidence is discovered. That makes history interesting, and science ever more fascinating.

I’m learning all the time, as so many of us are. New knowledge is retained sketchily, the most outlandish or gruesome facts sticking more readily than the commonplace.

I find real experts fascinating to listen to. They are enthusiastic, articulate, and able to explain complex ideas in a readily comprehensible way. They also enable their listeners to feel, albeit fleetingly, almost as intelligent as them. Leaving an audience feeling good about themselves is a gift and is likely to encourage at least some of them to pursue a passing interest in more detail.