We are all Ekalavyas to some gurus. For me, when it comes to cognitive psychology and linguistics, it is Steven Pinker. I don’t miss any of his interviews or books. Initially, I loved the cognitive science in them. Later, I fell in love with his writing style. His fluid, vivid writing influenced me to write better. Here is a unique interview between Pinker and David Perell on the art and science of effective communication. I will add the link in the first comment. If you don’t have 45 minutes, then here is concentrated wisdom on writing in the age of LLMs.
Pinker starts with a profound truth—expertise can blind us to what others don’t know. This “curse of knowledge” leads to jargon-heavy prose that alienates rather than enlightens.
I can totally understand why Pinker emphasizes making writing visual. As cognitive science students, we all know that our visual apparatus is a notch higher compared to all other sense organs. Our brains construct mental images as we read, so abstract terms become barriers to understanding.
He advocates pairing concrete examples with clear generalizations—helping readers both see and comprehend.
Writing differs fundamentally from speaking. Without shared context, writers must anticipate knowledge gaps and fill them proactively.
Pinker’s practice of testing drafts on people outside his field wasn’t courtesy—it was quality control.
His attention to language’s rhythm and sound challenges the false choice between clarity and beauty. “Brevity is the soul of wit” shows how compression creates both understanding and pleasure.
On AI-generated prose: while technically sound, it often lacks the originality that makes human writing memorable. As AI becomes prevalent, fresh metaphors and unexpected connections become more valuable.
Pinker’s Actionable Writing Tips:
• Test with real readers outside your field
• Use concrete language and visual metaphors to make ideas vivid
• Balance generalizations with specific examples
• Read prose aloud to catch awkward phrasing
• Strive for brevity—omit needless words
• Embrace rhythm and style without forced ornamentation
• Learn from children’s clarity and originality
• Use humor sparingly—keep it fresh and concise
• Avoid jargon when writing for broad audiences
• Strive for originality over AI’s generic patterns
Pinker’s wisdom reminds us that writing is empathy—service to ideas deserving sharing and readers deserving understanding. It was a joy to listen to him. Thanks, David Perell for the interview. Made my day! 👌
