“Relying on pointing also short-circuits vital deductive analysis. Forcing specific articulation increases our focus, will deliver a more detailed account, and creates a superior memory of the observation.”

Amy E. Herman, Visual Intelligence

If you have kids, you have experienced how little information is communicated by pointing.

They want you to look at something. They point off into the distance. You have no idea what they want you to see. You long for them to mention any additional detail, a colour, a shape, an object … anything that will help you know what you are looking for.

Think about where you do this yourself. Are you providing enough information for the person you are talking to to know what you mean?

It is quick and easy to point. But it conveys so little information.