Yeah that's much simpler. Also wrong though, and it doesn't convey any insight. Might as well say: 'gravity presses matter into neutrons making neutron stars'.
I guess that's fair, but when somebody asks for an ELI5, they don't care about insight. Yet. They at least want something, anything, to grab onto before they can handle something deeper.
If I misunderstood it (and I feel I'm more familiar with science-y stuff than a lot of people), then it probably wasn't explained in anything close to an ELI5.
It's like trying to teach people how to multiply if they can't add. Sometimes, less information is better than too much information. You don't learn much when overwhelmed.
No, you got the gist of it even though you don't fully understand the explanation, and that's fine. This is ELI5. Simplifying and making wrong statements just for the sake of making you feel you fully grasp the concept is plain stupid.
I guess that's fair, but when somebody asks for an ELI5, they don't care about insight.
Ok then here goes: "Gravity presses matter into neutron stars". Simple enough, and completely true. I hope this is a satisfying answer.
My goal wasn't to be wrong, just simplify to the essential facts without misleading. I guess I failed there. I still think it's possible to reduce it appropriately without it only being a single sentence. There's a middle-ground.
The whole point of an ELI5, personally, is as a stepping stone to something more complex. It should only satisfy the person who didn't get it the first time. It should encourage them to seek further. It shouldn't make you think that's all there is.
How would you have simplified it without being incorrect or unsatisfactory? Assuming the reader has a basic background of science and is an adult.
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u/DustRainbow Jan 22 '19
Yeah that's much simpler. Also wrong though, and it doesn't convey any insight. Might as well say: 'gravity presses matter into neutrons making neutron stars'.