How to Think Clearly in a World of Noise⁠↗

When you can’t express what you mean, it’s usually because you don’t know what you mean.

He ended his essay with practical rules that feel more relevant than ever (and apply perfectly to AI prompts as well):

1. Never use a metaphor or other figure of speech you are used to seeing in print.
2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4. Use direct, active language that shows who is doing what, instead of hiding the action behind vague phrasing.
5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.