Penelope's post | Quora

Let's Talk About "Explanation" — Why It Matters More Than You Think! 🤔✨ Okay, confession time: how many times have you read something, nodded along, but actually had no clue what was going on? 🙈 I swear, it happens to me more than I’d like to admit. That's why today I want to dive into the simple-but-magic word: explanation. Wait, Isn’t Explaining Just… Saying Stuff? Well, yes and no. Sure, explanations are about "saying stuff," but it’s way more than repeating facts you Googled 5 seconds ago. It’s about breaking things down — sometimes using stories, metaphors, memes, whatever helps connect with someone’s brain 🧠+❤️. For me, a good explanation is like your best friend walking you through a new game level, step by step, until you have your “Aha!” moment. You feel SEEN. You’re genuinely learning ✨ instead of just collecting trivia for your next group chat. My “Why didn’t you just say that?” Moments 😂 I’ll never forget my first finance class in college. The teacher kept throwing around terms like “collateralized debt obligation”— I was like 😵 what in the world is that?! She droned on for 20 minutes and I was SO lost. But then my roommate, bless her heart, explained it as, “It’s like if you and your friends throw your IOUs into one basket and sell the basket to someone else.” Suddenly, I GOT IT. That moment stuck with me. It made me realize — sometimes “official” explanations are designed to keep us in the dark, while real, human-centered explanations light the path. It inspires me to always break things down, whether I’m teaching, chatting with my younger cousins, or making posts like this! Why Do Explanations Matter In 2024? Info Overload: The internet is a wild storm of data. Clear explanations are our umbrellas. ☔️ Trust: When someone explains things well, I trust them more. It feels like they’re rooting for me, not just showing off. Empowerment: Understanding empowers us. Whether it’s how to use AI tools or how taxes work, explanations are power. 💪 Connection: Good explanations bring people closer. I love seeing the lightbulb moments in friends’ eyes. How I (Try To) Explain Stuff I always ask myself, “How would I explain this to my grandma? Or an alien visiting Earth?” 👽 I use tons of analogies, doodles, silly comparisons — honestly, sometimes it probably sounds goofy. But if you walk away actually understanding, then it’s a win. Pro tip: if someone makes you feel stupid for not “getting it,” it’s on them for not explaining better, not on you. Nobody’s born with all the answers. We’re all learning together. TL;DR: Good Explanations Change Lives From baking banana bread during lockdown 🍌 to setting up your first crypto wallet, having someone explain things in a way that clicks is everything. Next time you’re confused, ask for a different explanation! If you’re the one doing the explaining, sprinkle in stories, emojis, whatever it takes. Let’s make explanations fun, clear, and caring — because everyone deserves that “Ohhh, now I get it!” moment. What’s something you wish people explained better? Share below 👇 and let’s help each other out! 🌍🔄