Passionate Users Talk Different

Listen in on a conversation between three airplane pilots, and--assuming you aren't a pilot--you might understand 50% at best. Listen in on a conversation between three software architects, and even a new programmer might not have a clue. Snowboarders have their own terms. So do plumbers, photographers, librarians, ministers, dancers, realtors, musicians, graphic designers, and filmmakers (best boy? gaffer?).

But there's a world of difference between a specialized lexicon of domain-specific terms and buzzwords.

Domain-specific terms compress information, while buzzwords often masquerade as information.

Buzzwords are often (not always) semantically empty while specialized domain lexicons are semantically dense.

Domain-specific terms are usually associated with passion, or at least expertise, while buzzwords are often associated with those who might be faking expertise, or who are using them simply to impress others.

ZYZephyr wrote a great post taking me to task for my buzzwords post ranting (half tongue-in-cheek) about the 2.0 buzzwords. He makes all the right points, and I agree with just about everything he said. Which tells me I didn't make my point, or that he didn't read my previous post about this topic ; )

My problem is not with the use of specialized language. On the contrary, in my earlier post on this I said (paraphrasing myself):

"When people are passionate (or even just "into") something, they have a shared lexicon that helps dinstinuish them from those who aren't.

Among other things, a shared vocabulary helps experts and professionals get a message across more quickly. But it also helps build their passion. Just figuring out the commonly-used phrases, words, names, stories, etc. are part of what gives people a sense of belonging. A sense of being a part of something special. A sense of having learned--and earned--their way in. So in this case, exclusionary isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Becoming a part of something new usually isn't that simple, especially if that new thing has real value. Pick an area where people are truly passionate, and there is virtually always a learning curve that includes new ideas, concepts, skills, knowledge and specialized terms. Most people have an "I Rule" experience in part because they've "crossed the chasm" and learned what the hell the experts are talking about."

Where this whole thing gets interesting is that many of the Web 2.0 buzzwords actually DO--for some people--compress and convey rich information. In other words, while I make a distinction between empty buzzwords and domain-specific terms, sometimes there's no clear line between the two. One guy's Web 2.0 empty buzzword is another one's meaningful addition to the emerging technology lexicon.

And that brings up the other thing I like about Web 2.0--that it has engaged so many people's minds in actively creating/defining/interpreting the meaning of the ideas, words, and concepts. Web 2.0 is both ambiguous and meaningful... but not for everyone. For many, the words are just useless marketing speak with no there there.

My problem with the Web 2.0 terms is not that they are meaningless. And my problem is not that they are too complex and should be dumbed down. My problem is that they are focused on the technology and the business model, rather than focusing on what those things will mean to the end-user. And when I say "mean to the end-user", I don't mean that the end-user cares about the words. The end-user cares about what WE--the developers/implementors of Web 2.0-ish products or services--are creating for them.

When I say that the Web 2.0 words aren't user-driven, I don't mean that the users should be driving or even understanding the words. But if a deep concern for users isn't driving the meaning of these words, we're in for a flock of crap products and services that implement 2.0 goodness but do nothing to inspire or engage users. Again, my problem with 2.0 words is not about what they mean, or how consice or confusing they are, as much as about what they're focused on.

So, back to the "specialized words" thing... in helping support or build a community of passionate users, I would not discourage specialized lexicons--even (or especially) if that specialized lexicon means separating the newbies from the experts. That's as it should be and is part of what adds value to becoming an expert in the first place--you get to have this rich, complex, efficient communication with others and, yes, you might also consider that a way to show off. And I am not about to moralize on this one and suggest that wanting to "show off" is a bad thing. It's a part of human nature to take pride in how hard we've worked to learn this much and get this good at something. It's human nature to feel good about, well, kicking ass. Being recognized as an expert is certainly not the main benefit (or driving motivation) for becoming passionate about something, but for many people--it's a nice little side benefit.

Think about it... come on, really think about it. Somewhere in your past (maybe even within the last 48 hours), you've felt that little ever-so-slightly-I'm-better-at-this-than-you feeling that came from being able to keep up with a book, speech, or conversation that had words and phrases not known to "the rest of us." ; )

OK maybe you didn't feel all superior, but you at at least have felt the energy that comes from engaging and communicating at that higher level of complexity.