Science writing matters (2 of 2)

In the previous article I posed this question:

Before I share my point of view on that, I want to ask a different question. Join me on a brief but important detour…

What is a great question?

Perhaps the above question isn’t awful, but we can do better. A great question will inspire you. So let’s reframe this question.

Behind the phrase “how good is …” is some unstated metric. So let’s take a second detour to talk about metrics.

Many relative metrics are vain

Beware the kinds of metrics that compare one’s quality relative to:

• an earlier time (e.g. a past version of oneself)
• other people (e.g. a competitor or mentor)
• other topics (e.g. business news or sports)

There is a problem with these: reality doesn’t grade on a curve. Many relative comparisons are vanity metrics.

But there is one great relative comparison: quality relative to our potential. What is the best counterfactual we can imagine?

With this in mind, let’s reframe “How good is our science writing?” to a more pointed question:

Now this is an inspiring question.