Information seems to flow in bunches–I guess a sort of Fast Fourier Transform for the mind if you’re into math. I’ve been thinking about study for a few days and then yesterday listened to this interview from a show called TechNation where host Moira Gunn interviewed Dan Roam, author of a new book called Blah, Blah, Blah: What To Do When Words Don’t Work.
Roam says that for more complete communication, we need to use both words and pictures. As I was running through Tawawa Park, I started pondering those thoughts. This works on the study end of the conversation, too.
When I read stories in the Bible, or even puzzle through some of Paul’s seemingly complex prose, I find drawing a diagram or visualizing a picture is a big help. If it’s a story about Jesus doing something, I sort of play a movie in my head–sound, colors, smell, the whole thing–and then look at the scene from different perspectives. Look through Jesus’ eyes. Look through John’s or Peter’s eyes. Look through the eyes of one who was helped. It’s a great way to understand the impact of the story.
While studying Romans recently, I found that drawing a diagram that traces Paul’s argument to be most helpful in seeing where he was going.
Similarly, if you are trying to talk to someone and cannot draw a simple picture or diagram to help explain, maybe you haven’t thought the subject through enough to be clear.
One more book for my booklist, I guess. Another aid to my study. Another idea for assembling better presentations.
Faith Venture 
June 4, 2012 at 6:47 am |
[…] week I wrote about the need to visualize ideas to help either express yourself or understand. Turns out I had that book (Blah, Blah, Blah by […]