Invisible <voi### [at] devnull> wrote:

> "oh, is that why if you open two web pages at once it sometimes gives
> you an error message?"
>
> I'm talking about layer 6, they're talking about layer 1382. Which is
> somewhat higher than layer 6. Obviously.


In some cases, a metaphor can help.  Finding a suitable metaphor that fits on
every level is extremely difficult if not impossible.  However, (assuming the
person is interested in the subject as well as the conversation) using a
metaphor that illustrates the difference between what you are talking about and
what they are thinking about can help.  For example, in that particular case,
you could draw a comparison between you trying to discuss the function of
automotive engine parts while they are asking about being stuck in a traffic
jam.  The metaphor doesn't work on every level, but it carries the gist of the
distance between hardware function and user experience.

Of course, tact may be quite important here.

-Reactor

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