No Stupid Questions 56. Why Is Academic Writing So Bad?
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Jan 11, 2026 Dive into the mysteries of academic writing as two hosts dissect why it's often perplexing and obscure. They explore whether this complexity is intentional gatekeeping or simply a skill gap. The conversation shifts to strategies for clearer prose, emphasizing the value of simplicity over complexity. Listen in as they share visions of their perfect days, contrasting productivity with relaxation, and examine how daily activities influence happiness. It's a curious blend of intellectual debate and personal insights.
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Academic Writing Often Turns Readers Away
- Academic writing is often shockingly bad even within sciences, not just the humanities.
- Titles and abstracts alone frequently deter lay readers from engaging further with research.
A Parent's Peek At Humanities Prose
- Angela Duckworth noticed even deeper problems with obscure writing in the humanities when watching her daughter study comparative literature.
- That exposure made her feel humanities writing could be deliberately obscure or accidentally awful.
Skill Focus Explains Poor Writing
- Many academics prioritize discovery over craft, so writing quality ranks low on their list of priorities.
- Specialists invest human capital in domain skill rather than learning to write for general audiences.