Shorthand explanations often get in the way of deeper understanding.
We simplify the always-complex realities of our world in order to make sense of it, but much nuance and context is lost in these simplifications and shorthands.
For example, though they say the exact same thing, this headline:
Brainwashed brainwashers seeking societal overthrow who worship an anti-knowledge, pro-slavery, anti-gay, child murdering, genocidal, narcissistic, global abortion leader who faked his own death support twice impeached, anti-woman, multiply adulterous, rapist, racist, fraudulent, anti-democratic, pro-authoritarian, conspiracy theorist, coup leading insurrectionist, aspiring dictator, and pathological liar with 4 indictments on 91 felony charges
Makes infinitely more sense than this headline:
Evangelical Christians Support Donald Trump
But we as a society wrestle endlessly with the obvious contradictions in the latter headline in an effort to understand how such a thing could be true.
The shorthand in that headline obscures the nuances and deeper context.
We sacrifice clarity for a smaller word count, then flounder in our confusion.
But when we take the time to draw out those nuances and context — even just a little — the connections are much easier to see.
Context provides clarity.
Heath Fogelman, author 