Why Analogies are like Canada Geese

The phenomenon of Canada Geese infiltrating the U.S. North-East is purely an American experience, but I ask that you humor me, play along and feel free to give me insight into similar phenomena across the globe.

The world encompassing Technology, Information Security and Legal experts is severely limited in how it can effectively communicate to the lay person. With the exception of one group, subject-matter experts (aka SMEs) are constantly trying new ways to get their clients -- their paying audience -- to understand complex concepts. (Note, Legal is the exception here since they place the onus of understanding on the end user. Lawyers ... go figure.)

One of the most effective communication techniques is the use of figurative language: analogies, allegories and metaphors. All three forms are slightly different and if I were to be technically correct in titling this post, it should be using the word "allegories"; however "analogies" is the more popular term. (Likewise, the original post referred to "Canadian geese", but I was quickly corrected.)

But figurative language has some serious drawbacks. And in the spirit of "eating my own dog food," I will explain figuratively why allegories are like Canada geese.

1. Once rare and prized, now there are too many and they are everywhere.
Like everything in this world, we tend to take a good thing and overdo it to the point the general public becomes desensitized to it. There are too many cars on the road, too many mobile devices, too many geese. Things we once cherished -- like face-to-face conversation -- is ignored or thrown away.

2. The only memorable thing they leave is crap.
For me, hearing a great allegory is a good source for boosting endorphins. All you software developers know that feeling when you come across that nifty algorithm, the one that you say to yourself, "I should've thought of that!" Allegories are the same way. I will go to a conference and hear a really complex risk management theory watered down to some cool metaphor using dolphins, go home thinking I really nailed the concept, only to wake up the next morning and realize I really only learned about dolphins.

3. They do not migrate as they should.
And sometimes I get really delusional and attempt to execute my theory of risk management using techniques that only work on dolphins ... I know we've all done that before ... you can admit it.

So, if you haven't got the point yet, let me give you some very specific reasons why my own analogy doesn't work:

• Allegories do not fly like geese.
• Allegories do not eat grass.
• Allegories are not the descendants of dinosaurs.

So, why are people willing to accept such odd metaphors?

Part of the reason is inherent knowledge.

We obviously know the reasons why analogies are not like geese, but that is because we already know about analogies and also about geese. We can also state that "pigeons are like geese"; and although this analogy is just as clear as the first analogy, it is exemplifying totally different properties of geese.

We also know that the association made, "pigeons are not like analogies", is not true. When trying to explain something we DO NOT KNOW using an analogy, it is inherent that the recipient of the analogy tries to correlate all the aspects of the analogous item to the unknown item.

This is especially a problem when using analogies to promote complex concepts.

In fact, both lawyers as well as magicians use this method, it is known as "misdirection" ... and from what I have read, Canada Geese have a good sense of direction.