The Devil’s in the Details
Erikson uses an exaggerated story about a Blue to illustrate how irrelevant detail can bury the point of a message. The practical question is which details help the audience understand or act.
THE IDEA
The Devil’s in the Details
Have you ever listened to a Blue tell an interesting story? Let’s say he got a flat on the highway. He’ll begin by saying that his alarm clock, a Sony, rang a minute earlier because it was Thursday and on Thursdays he gargles a little longer with Listerine—the green kind, since a taste test done by Consumers Union, the largest independent consumer-testing organization in the world, in their bulletin issued last March clearly demonstrated that it’s preferable. Breakfast consisted of two seven-minute eggs and coffee. Nespresso has a new roast, but he didn’t enjoy it. At least 9 percent of the beans were damaged, which made him reflect on how bean structure affects the mouthfeel of the coffee. Then he fetched the newspaper The New York Times, since they had made a special offer, 18 percent discount for three months. At the post office he spoke to his neighbor—who also reads The New York Times—about the best way to take care of the lawn in September. “There’s an interesting website that discusses different types of autumn fertilizer, very fascinating.…”
When to use it
In a business meeting, stick to key data and conclusions, avoiding tangents about minor operational details.
When writing emails, keep the message focused on action items rather than extraneous background.
During a job interview, answer questions directly without rambling into unrelated personal anecdotes.
When teaching a concept, prioritize core principles over trivial examples that may distract learners.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
The Flat Tire Story
A person recounts getting a flat tire on the highway, but includes irrelevant details about his morning routine: the brand of alarm clock, the specific mouthwash used, the exact cooking time of eggs, the damaged coffee beans, and a newspaper discount. The core event is lost in a sea of trivialities.
Office Chair Example
A project manager gives a weekly update and spends ten minutes describing the color and ergonomic features of new office chairs instead of focusing on project milestones and deadlines, causing confusion among team members.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Can you recall a time when you or someone else added too many irrelevant details to a story? How did it affect the listener's comprehension?
What psychological factors (e.g., desire to seem thorough, anxiety, habit) might drive someone to include unnecessary specifics in communication?
How could you practice being more concise in your daily conversations or writing without losing important context?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Surrounded By Idiots (Thomas Erikson)