Why? Because I like to write, to compose something that didn’t exist before, like an essay – a blog. It feels good. Also because 10 years and 276 blogs is a respectable length of time and effort and it’s nice to keep it going.

I’ve learned that you like to read them too, if testimonials are any indication: A senior lawyer in Atlantic Canada said, “I love that stuff..!!”.  Another senior legal chap on the east coast commented, “…like reading them.”  And an insurance claim consultant said, “I read every one”.  It’s hard to beat comments like that.

I like to write at the interface between my field of study and others. I enjoy describing “…the nature and methods of forensic engineering and expert services” so you will understand.

It’s important that you understand because the dispute resolution process requires that you know something about the expert services that you retain and rely on. (Ref. 1) Same as I must know something about the process that I’m assisting as an expert. And, if I dare ‘fess up, I learn when I blog because I must research some topics, at least a little.

The title for this blog came to mind when I leafed through Ogilvy’s ancient text – 1963 -, “Confessions of an Advertising Man”. (Ref. 2) It’s all about stopping the reader in his tracks, getting him in off the sidewalk, and talking to him in plain English about a product – in this case, forensic work. A good read, still cited decades later regardless of what you write.

Then, as far as the actual blog is concerned I must never forget – like I do sometimes – to write in jargon-free English using short words, sentences and paragraphs. (Refs 3 and 4)

The fact that I like to write came to mind a few years ago. My daughters got after me to write a memoir about living and working around the world for seven years – in some interesting places and on some challenging engineering jobs.

One, the investigation and fixing of a railway embankment that failed in northern Australia, up near Thursday Island. I got to the site each day in a boat circled by crocodiles as we made our way across the estuary of a river.

Believe it or not some topics in forensic work are almost as exciting to write about as a crocodile that would like to eat you. I also want you to know about forensic work.

There are more reasons in the Appendix.

References

1. The Advocates Society, Toronto, Ontario, Principles governing communicating with testifying experts, June, 2014
2. Ogilvy, David, Confessions of an Advertising Man, MacMillan Publishing, New York, 1963, 1987
3. Zinsser, William, On Writing Well, The Classic Guide to Writing Non- Fiction 7th ed., Harper Collins, New York 2007
4. Mangraviti, James J., Babitsky, Steven and Donovan, Nadine Nasser, How to Write an Expert Witness Report, 2nd ed., 560 pages, SEAK, Inc., Falmouth, MA 2014

Appendix

1. Why am I feeling good about blogging these days? Posted February 26, 2021
2. Why do I blog? One reason: A blog is often like a mini expert report in story form. Posted August 15, 2019. Quite a good read.
3. Why do I blog? – See a few good, perhaps one or two surprising reasons in the following. Posted July 13, 2018
4. Why do I blog? Posted June 30, 2017
5. Why do I blog on forensic engineering investigation? Posted July 22, 2016
6. Why do I blog on forensic engineering? Posted August 7, 2014

(Posted by Eric E. Jorden, M.Sc., P.Eng. Consulting Professional Engineer, Forensic Engineer, Geotechnology Ltd., Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada June 30, 2022 ejorden@eastlink.ca)