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April 5, 2004
Maybe I should start "showing the plan"
By QBlog in
Jar-gon - (n.): The specialized or technical language of a trade, profession, or similar group.
Practically every profession has it's own jargon. Sometimes that jargon can become a familiar fixture within the vocabulary of popular culture and quickly loses its "jargon" status. From Tech-related fields we've seen terms like "IP Address," "RAM" and "Blue Screen of Death" become part of our everyday language (well, almost). However, the vast majority of profession-specific jargon is so infrequently heard by "outsiders" that it often sounds like a language of nonsense to the uninitiated.
I live in my own world of jargon, more specifically Web-jargon. When I'm at a party or some type of social gathering it's always a delight to discover a fellow Web-enthusiast. More often than not I end up spending the entire time "talking shop" with my fellow jargon-speaker and we always exchange email addresses before leaving. Of course, my experience is not unique. Doctors, lawyers, pilots, musicians, etc. all have their own jargon and usually feel an immediate connection (or at least feel more comfortable) when they encounter others in a similar profession.
And it's only natural. With fellow jargon-speakers there's no need to explain each phrase or define each word. Their conversation is one of familiarity and understanding. Like bilinguals who feel most comfortable speaking their native tongue, so too the jargon-speaker feels most comfortable speaking of his profession in jargon-ese (a made-up word but I like it).
Yet it's that reliance on familiarity and understanding that often prevents me from discussing my passion for the Web with the uninitiated. When I start ranting against the DMCA I don't want to have to explain what it is, how it became law, what it represents to freedom lovers across the globe, etc. I just want to rant and such ranting (about the DMCA) is at least a little confusing to those outside the world of Web jargon. So, I save my rants and instead discuss something like sports, films or whatever we can find in common.
The Reason
The reason I mention all this jargon nonsense is because I've experienced something similar when trying to discuss Quixtar with the uninitiated. I found that it's often quite difficult to explain my experiences and perceptions of Quixtar without spending inordinate amounts of time explaining terms like "Diamond," "Fired up" and "Show the plan." Quixtar, like every business, has it's own jargon but sometimes the communication barriers that result from such jargon discourages me from discussing Quixtar with others. I've even tried showing a few "non-Quixtar" folks this very blog and they walk away scratching their heads. Why? Because really, it doesn't make a lot of sense unless you're familiar with Quixtar, some of its concepts and most of the related jargon. The end result is that I don't talk about Quixtar (good, bad or indifferent) with many people outside of those already familiar with the business. However, I'm working to change that.
Maybe I just need to "show the plan" to everyone that I want to discuss Quixtar with? I've still got that whiteboard, tripod and dry-erase marker set. Now that's an idea.
Comments
What can we do to get 200,000 members for the Quixtar MeetUp? And how can we get more people to start blogging about their Quixtar business? I have a 5-3-2 model for education and support that I would like to popularize.
I've been an IBO for nearly a year now and I sympathize with your trouble in finding new prospects. My best advice is that you stop using the "jargan" and prospect with out talking shop. Using the jargan to much can push people away because they don't understand. The connection that is made in their mind is that if they can't understand it they don't want any part of it. Perhaps if you used better terms till these prospects understood their new vocabulary you'd find better results.
I'm enjoying your site becuase it's although it is negative to Quixtar it's written by an intelligent author. Funny how most people get mouthy when they get negative about this business. You're not like that though. With your page I can see your (and all your readers) point of view. You'd be suprised how many IBO's would listen if people didn't cuss at them. I'm looking forward to reading more from you and responding much as you'll allow me.
G'day,
Jason Heitz
Jason,
I agree, Q-blog is the best moderator of both sides of quixtar discussion that I have seen. I am proud to discuss the merits of truth and error with him. Thanks q-blog for your site!
> When I start ranting against the DMCA I don't want to have
> to explain what it is, how it became law, what it represents to
> freedom lovers across the globe, etc. I just want to rant ...
You have just hit upon one of the reasons why overturning the DMCA will be so difficult (if possible at all). We geeks understand why the DMCA is a bad law, but we don't understand how to explain clearly that position to others. And because we don't understand how to do so, we'd rather not do it. We'd rather "preach to the choir" as it were.
I feel your pain, however. I have yet to come up with (or find) a truly simple, sound-bite-sized explanation of the DMCA and why it should be reversed. When I try, it doesn't take long for my listener's eyes to start glazing over... :-)
-- sdg
P.S. You really need to allow simple HTML markup in your comments. Like [blockquote] or [i].
Maybe a quick glossary of terms would help out the strangers.
Here's a page with lots of terms:
http://www.cocs.com/jhoagland/terms.html
Posted by: Don | April 5, 2004 11:15 PM