Comments on: Explaining Lessons From the Front Lines of Dog Rescue http://www.explainist.com/2009/06/17/explaining-lesson-from-the-front-lines-of-dog-rescue/ A celebration of explanation Thu, 22 Sep 2011 01:37:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Patrick http://www.explainist.com/2009/06/17/explaining-lesson-from-the-front-lines-of-dog-rescue/comment-page-1/#comment-3965 Patrick Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:19:21 +0000 http://www.explainist.com/?p=136#comment-3965 This post reminds me of an advertisement I've been hearing lately that drives me crazy, since advertisements are another kind of "this is what it's all about" strategy. There is an investment company that underwrites my local public radio station, and their slogan is something like "investment involves many risks, including the risk of loss." What? I think they're trying to say talk about the risk of a lost opportunity, but it just comes off sounding like "you might earn money, or you might not!" I feel like they're missing an opportunity (ha!) to gain customers by explaining what they're all about. This post reminds me of an advertisement I’ve been hearing lately that drives me crazy, since advertisements are another kind of “this is what it’s all about” strategy. There is an investment company that underwrites my local public radio station, and their slogan is something like “investment involves many risks, including the risk of loss.” What? I think they’re trying to say talk about the risk of a lost opportunity, but it just comes off sounding like “you might earn money, or you might not!” I feel like they’re missing an opportunity (ha!) to gain customers by explaining what they’re all about.

]]> By: Tom http://www.explainist.com/2009/06/17/explaining-lesson-from-the-front-lines-of-dog-rescue/comment-page-1/#comment-3868 Tom Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:56:27 +0000 http://www.explainist.com/?p=136#comment-3868 Thanks, Lee! Great point about the importance of caring. In the case of dog rescue, a big challenge is getting people who already care about dogs to channel that caring in the particular way we do. An animal lover may see a dog and want desperately to get him out of his crate and bring him home immediately. We don't work that way, and if you don't understand why, it's easy to see us as the bad guy keeping you from doing a good thing. Many times, I've seen people in this situation reach a magic tipping of understanding. Once they see what we're up against, they're suddenly on our side and can make sense of our policy details. Thanks, Lee! Great point about the importance of caring. In the case of dog rescue, a big challenge is getting people who already care about dogs to channel that caring in the particular way we do. An animal lover may see a dog and want desperately to get him out of his crate and bring him home immediately. We don’t work that way, and if you don’t understand why, it’s easy to see us as the bad guy keeping you from doing a good thing. Many times, I’ve seen people in this situation reach a magic tipping of understanding. Once they see what we’re up against, they’re suddenly on our side and can make sense of our policy details.

]]> By: Lee LeFever http://www.explainist.com/2009/06/17/explaining-lesson-from-the-front-lines-of-dog-rescue/comment-page-1/#comment-3865 Lee LeFever Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:48:53 +0000 http://www.explainist.com/?p=136#comment-3865 Great post! A couple of things stood out for me. One, it's an interesting case of the "Curse of Knowledge" - explainers knowing too much to imagine what it's like not to know. Second, the value of building context and making them care as a priority. We're really oriented around the idea that an explanation should make someone care. If they care, they'll be more motivated figure out the details. By putting the details first, people have a harder time seeing the value in learning more. Great work you're doing with the rescue too! Cheers! Great post! A couple of things stood out for me. One, it’s an interesting case of the “Curse of Knowledge” – explainers knowing too much to imagine what it’s like not to know.

Second, the value of building context and making them care as a priority. We’re really oriented around the idea that an explanation should make someone care. If they care, they’ll be more motivated figure out the details. By putting the details first, people have a harder time seeing the value in learning more.

Great work you’re doing with the rescue too! Cheers!

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