Comprehension problems

[Janx]

Yes, it's true that always use visual aids when I run 3.5. Mostly this means using a sheet of paper where I mark where everything is (basically mapping). It helps me and my players great deal.

Your process of always using visual aids probably helps you avoid the issue (i mean in a good way).

Do you find things go quicker with a map or battlemat when making your decision?

Are there activities or work types that expose the problem, and some activities that don't agitate it?

The reason I say that, is here online, where you have all the time you need to type, you seem smart enough. Whereas, in the workplace, I might notice "that guy's not as sharp as the rest of the team."

I'm curious if there's exercises that can improve your performance or ways to mask needing to take more time. Kind of like "better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to remove all doubt"

This has been insightful. I have one friend who's not as sharp as the rest of us (he's a drummer, which reinforces that stereotype as well). He and I have a common interest in wood working. I have an idea to build a different kind of entertainment center/TV holder because I have my TV sitting on the fireplace (the big flat, raised surface in front of the fire place). He can't envision what I'm talking about, whereas I have an entire design model in my head with approximate dimensions and the kinds of joints I plan to use.

There's detectable mental difference between us in more than just the ability to visualize a model. He doesn't know as much about a wide variety of things (I pack more info and trivia into my head, apparently), and he doesn't seem as confident in solving problems (or choosing a solution). The last can be a factor of doubting oneself more than actual mental shortcoming, however.

One interesting trait, he tends to call me up for advice and actually follow it. While this is flattering, it does put me at risk of giving bad advice that affects somebody adversely. Normally, since most of the people I know are in the same mental range as myself, when they ask for advice, they argue with it and if they do their own thing, it ends up badly like I pointed out. Here, I see where "ask the smart guy" actually seems to work out in a helpful fashion.

 

[S'mon]

One interesting trait, he tends to call me up for advice and actually follow it. While this is flattering, it does put me at risk of giving bad advice that affects somebody adversely. Normally, since most of the people I know are in the same mental range as myself, when they ask for advice, they argue with it and if they do their own thing, it ends up badly like I pointed out. Here, I see where "ask the smart guy" actually seems to work out in a helpful fashion.

It's easy for smart people to outsmart themselves, I know I frequently do. Whereas I've learned that following the wisdom of crowds/common sense/tradition can often give better results. That was the message of King of the Hill - you don't have to be particularly smart to do the right thing.

 

[delericho]

A GM begins his/her speech, quickly explaining what is where and how it is and what it looks like, where does it go and how all this affects everything around you.

Then everyone reacts and does something. However, I'm quiet. What was it? What is the distance? Is it possible to go and search X or is it behind something impassable? What did you just say anyway?

A couple of things:

- The other players may well not have any better idea of what's going on than you do. It's entirely possible that they're just making a bunch of assumptions, and working from those.

- Just because you don't understand doesn't mean the fault lies with you. More than a few times, I've given out what I thought was a nice, clear description of a situation, only to see players get completely the wrong impression from it.

(It's also possible that the DM and other players have developed some sort of "shared language" of in-jokes, old references, and the like that they understand but you don't. Obviously, in such a case the fault doesn't lie with you, or indeed anywhere - it's just that the rest of the group doesn't realise the difficulty!)

Fundamentally, if you don't understand something, you just have to ask. The advice I generally give (actually, when teaching kids to play the bagpipes, but it applies equally here) is this: chances are other people are having the same issue, they're just too shy to speak up!

Anyone else who feels in the same way? That some games seem more like IQ speed-tests than immersive stories?

Not quite the same, but I often feel overwhelmed when playing with groups I don't know, especially if I'm the one new player in the group. We just build up so much history within long-standing groups that it can be hard for a new member to feel at home unless the existing group make a real effort to be welcoming.

It doesn't help that I have issues when dealing with people I don't know all that well - indeed, part of the reason I love the game so much (and especially DMing) is that it goes a long way towards helping me set aside those problems.

(Just as a sidenote, I have fairly low IQ. According to tests it's somewhere around 101 and 111. What is more pathetic than a dumb nerd?)

IME, most really smart people I know just aren't as smart as they think. Also, being smart doesn't mean they don't make mistakes; they just make different mistakes. (And, as someone who considers himself to be pretty smart, both of these definitely apply to me too.) Besides, I haven't actually noticed any great correlation between 'being smart' and an interest in 'nerdy' pursuits, especially now that video games have gone mainstream.

But being aware of your weaknesses, and (even moreso) being able to talk about them publicly? That's a rare thing, and commmendable.

 

[Dragoslav]

OP, I was just thinking last night about how I feel as though I have the same problem! In general, whenever someone orally gives me some complex instruction (e.g. directions), I have trouble concentrating on it, and what I tend to do now is just zone out and then ask them to write it down when they're finished talking.

But it's especially problematic when playing D&D. If I just sit back and try to listen, I'll miss out on key details and forget everything else immediately afterwards. If I write something down, I end up missing everything else because I can't adequately focus on the speech while writing something by hand. I've been remedying this by taking my netbook and typing up all key details into a text document, which is much faster.

Outside of gaming, this seems especially problematic given that my academic and career field is in foreign language. I can read just fine, but listening to foreign language spoken is a nightmare, even to material below my level. I know that listening comprehension is usually any foreign language learner's weakest skill, but it seems especially poor in me when it seems like everyone else is following along well enough and I am completely lost.

 

[Janx]

It's easy for smart people to outsmart themselves, I know I frequently do. Whereas I've learned that following the wisdom of crowds/common sense/tradition can often give better results. That was the message of King of the Hill - you don't have to be particularly smart to do the right thing.

An interesting point. I'd be curious for you to go see my "Why can't the Nation handle the Truth" thread under Media Lounge. You're saying the crowd tends to choose the right thing. The thinking behind hiding information from the public says the opposite. The public is stupid and will panic and do the wrong thing.

 

[Jon_Dahl]

Your process of always using visual aids probably helps you avoid the issue (i mean in a good way).

Do you find things go quicker with a map or battlemat when making your decision?

Are there activities or work types that expose the problem, and some activities that don't agitate it?

Sorry for the delay but yes, I find things going much quicker with a map. I think I'm dependent on maps and visual aids but I never ask GMs to draw them. I'm too shy ask GMs to draw maps and slow the game down, especially if everyone else seems to be up to the task and mapping doesn't come naturally from the GM.

Generally I have noticed that I work more efficiently when I can do a very straightforward work where you don't have use your head a lot. In my previous job abroad I had that kind of job and after six months I was awarded as the employee of the month but in my current work which is much more complex I feel that I'm more of a burden to everyone because I can't adapt very easily to changes. It would be fun if someone could look into my brains and tell me what is going on there and why I have these difficulties that span from my personal life to RPGs and to professional life, but I don't think we will come across such technology in my lifetime.

 

[anest1s]

Sorry for the delay but yes, I find things going much quicker with a map. I think I'm dependent on maps and visual aids but I never ask GMs to draw them. I'm too shy ask GMs to draw maps and slow the game down, especially if everyone else seems to be up to the task and mapping doesn't come naturally from the GM.

Generally I have noticed that I work more efficiently when I can do a very straightforward work where you don't have use your head a lot. In my previous job abroad I had that kind of job and after six months I was awarded as the employee of the month but in my current work which is much more complex I feel that I'm more of a burden to everyone because I can't adapt very easily to changes. It would be fun if someone could look into my brains and tell me what is going on there and why I have these difficulties that span from my personal life to RPGs and to professional life, but I don't think we will come across such technology in my lifetime.

You just don't believe in yourself.

The DM describes something and the details are missing. Everyone else is imagining the missing details the way they want in their heads. (One time I thought it was raining in game. I try to get enough sleep before I play after that one.) You don't.

I can see 3 solutions:
1. Try to imagine things that are missing.
2. Try not to care for missing things. (You will probably end up doing the 1st one)
3. Ask the DM for everything.

Do yourself a favor and go for the first one. The DM will never be able to detail everything good enough no matter how much he will try.

//On a side note, one campaign died in ragequit when the DM filled different details in the missing stuff than the rest of us.