Jaynit on X: MIT professor Patrick Winston – How to Speak (15 lessons)
Twitter thread summarising 15 communication lessons from Patrick Winston's legendary MIT lecture "How to Speak" (18M+ views). Covers treating your ideas like children, the 5-minute attention rule for formal talks, and why jokes fail at the opening of presentations.
One of the most concentrated doses of communication wisdom available. Highly relevant for anyone who presents, pitches, or needs to make ideas land.
Key points
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Patrick Winston's How to Speak is one of MIT's most-viewed lectures with 18M+ views
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Your ideas are like your children — understand how they'll be received
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The 5-minute rule: capture attention immediately in job talks and formal presentations
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Jokes at the start fail — the audience isn't warmed up enough to respond
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15 frameworks on communication, presenting ideas, and persuading audiences