It is hard for the human brain to conceptualize huge numbers. It is simply out of reach. If you present huge numbers to an audience, you have to keep that fact in mind.
As a speaker, we need to translate those numbers into something more concrete, understandable, digestible.
Today, I came across this illustration of the size of the Internet. It gives the answer for the question: How big is the Internet? It is named: If you printed the Internet. It is a good example of huge numbers translation.
Those illustrations are effective because they translate the numbers in something we know. Minutes, days, years.
Sometimes, the numbers are still too big after being transposed. We need a second transposition. 3 800 years doesn’t mean anything to me. It is too big. Imagining Ancient Babylonians with inkjet printer is more effective. That comparison is talking to me.
While presenting data in a document or, while speaking, we must translate it to be reachable. We have to put it at audience level.
Best, adapt the example to your audience. If you’re talking to car dealers, tell them: If you printed the Internet, you will have enough paper to fill the trunk of 12 000 cars (I am guessing). How big is 12 000 cars? Bumper to bumper, it is a 66 km long file. THAT means something to car dealers. (Adapting your speech to an audience – blog post: Put your audience glasses)
In your next speech, make your number digestible and adapt your example to your audience.
Other illustrations in the complete post of: If You Printed The Internet …
Share with me: What good adaptation of huge numbers have you done lately?
Related posts:
Posted by Denis François Gravel
Return to front page
Source: @DesignerDepot
Tags: Audience, Idea, Number, Presentability, Speaker
-
This is such an important issue, yet people who ought to know better (e.g. Gordon Brown:http://bit.ly/eVABw) and the BBC: http://bit.ly/gkQcU) continue to mystify the wider public with the relentless repetition of big numbers.
-
Hi Denis
A very valid point.
But how many people do this.
We dont come across large numbers every day.
So when it comes one should latch out and explain in a way the audience relate.I remember one such instance myself.
Reading your post made me remember it.
I was inspiring a group of 30 people to do a project.
Before my talk I had worked out my maths.
So I asked them, how big is the task the group has to do?If 1 of you had to do it how many days will you take. Some said 7 some 30. The answer was 318. This number shocked them. Later I mentioned this many times and they could instantly realise what was the value of those 318 man days.
Moreover, I did not use any graphic. I just put up 318 in font 50/60 on the slide.
-
Hi!
Congratulations! Your readers have submitted and voted for your blog at The Daily Reviewer. We compiled an exclusive list of the Top 100 speaking Blogs, and we are glad to let you know that your blog was included! You can see it at http://thedailyreviewer.com/top/speaking/3
You can claim your Top 100 Blogs Award here : http://thedailyreviewer.com/pages/badges/speaking
P.S. This is a one-time notice to let you know your blog was included in one of our Top 100 Blog categories. You might get notices if you are listed in two or more categories.
P.P.S. If for some reason you want your blog removed from our list, just send an email to angelina@thedailyreviewer.com with the subject line “REMOVE” and the link to your blog in the body of the message.
Cheers!
Angelina Mizaki
Selection Committee President
The Daily Reviewer
http://thedailyreviewer.com -
Great example. Thanks for sharing.
318 days is almost a year. That’s the kind of number that we can easily understand.
- Denis François
Comments are now closed.
6 comments