What IDs can learn from Blaise Pascal

The ID Department

Developing Training Developers

What IDs Can Learn

What IDs can learn from Blaise Pascal

Published by

TheIDDept

June 5, 2025

TL:DR – Brevity is not bad.

Some of you may appreciate Blaise Pascal for his contributions to math and physics.

Some of you may appreciate him for his awesome mustache!

While I appreciate those qualities about Pascal as well, what I appreciate most is his insight into Instructional Design.

Yes. Really.

As IDs, we can learn a lot from Blaise Pascal.

If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.

While often attributed to Mark Twain, Benjamin Franklin, or Abe Lincoln, the first written record of this quip belongs in actuality to Blaise Pascal. Regardless of who said it first, the truth remains:

Editing takes time.

This was true then.

This is true now.

This is particularly true for instructional designers.

In instructional design, we often equate more with better: more slides, more scenarios, more content. But the real power lies in distillation.

It takes time to condense a 60-minute training (too long for most adult learners) into 20 minutes without losing its impact. It takes skill to trim a five-step process into three, and still make it stick. It takes focus to cut jargon and speak in plain, human terms.

Brevity is not laziness. It’s precision.

The best learning experiences aren’t the longest or the flashiest—they’re the clearest. And clarity is what your learners actually need.

So take the time to write the “shorter letter.”

Your learners will thank you for it.

Training Tip:

When creating training for process updates, consider a condensed job aid only showing the new changes for those who are already familiar with the tool/process. They will appreciate not having to complete a more robust training course covering what they already know.

The ID Department understands the editing process. That is why we provide unlimited reviews from unlimited reviewers and unlimited revisions. We are not done editing until you say we are.

We can help you craft your training to achieve Fortune 500–level results for a fraction of the Fortune 500 budget. Learn how here.

#InstructionalDesign #LXD #ContentDesign #LearningAndDevelopment #IDDepartment

One response to “What IDs can learn from Blaise Pascal”

What IDs Can Learn From the Glory Days of TED Talks – The ID Department

June 13, 2025

[…] (We go a bit deeper on the importance of brevity in What IDs Can Learn From Blaise Pascal.) […]

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I’m Simon

For more than 20 years, I’ve designed and led training programs that actually make a difference in Fortune 50 companies and nonprofit teams.

My work spans instructor-led training (ILT), virtual and computer-based learning (vILT/CBT), eLearning development, gamification, and event-based training that moves people to action.

I specialize in turning complex business goals into clear, engaging learning experiences that are grounded in education science, brought to life with modern tools, and delivered with heart.

I’ve managed large-scale training rollouts, led cross-functional teams, and built onboarding and product training that drives real results.

But my favorite part of the job is helping other instructional designers get better at theirs.

That’s why I want to help develop training developers.