This graphic is from the front cover of a river conservation organization’s quarterly magazine, sounding the alarm about some dastardly business about to go down in the statehouse. I really like the group that published it, so I won’t name them. But it’s a reminder that scientists and engineers aren’t the only ones that sometimes neglect to translate their shop talk into plain English. Lobbyists do it, too.
The fancy graphic treatment just can’t change the fact that this headline is 100% pure grade A incomprehensible jargon. SB 225? Huh? The Tier 2.5 list? Huh? And what do submarines have to do with anything?
OK, I’m exaggerating to make a point. But the point is an important one: The environmental group in question is gearing up for a fight in the statehouse, a fight for votes of elected officials. These elected officials will smile politely when you drop by their office, but all the while they’ll be thinking, “If fhe folks back home can’t puzzle out what you’re saying, I can ignore you.”
So here’s a quick tip: Use the bill number inside the statehouse, but come up with a descriptive and compelling name to use everywhere else. I’ll start the brainstorm with a suggestion for a new magazine cover. How about:
No Polluter Left Behind?
Corporate lobbyists target lawmakers, seeking loopholes in clean water laws!
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