Explaining Complex Science: What Eggs and Cholesterol Can Teach Us
(Source Animation according to what we know: Egg animation source)
For years, public health messaging got eggs wrong.
The logic went like this:
- High cholesterol is bad for your heart
- Eggs contain cholesterol
- So, eggs must be bad for you
This simple but misleading equation led millions to avoid eggs unnecessarily — especially older generations.
The problem? It was an oversimplified way of explaining complex science to the public.
Today, we know better.
But it took decades — and a lot of confusion — to correct the message.
Explaining with Animation: Why This TED-Ed Video Works
There’s a reason this TED-Ed animation about cholesterol went viral.
It nailed the fundamentals of explaining complex science:
- It broke down LDL vs HDL using visuals instead of jargon
- It challenged a persistent myth without overwhelming the viewer
- It clearly illustrated that not all cholesterol is bad
- It made the science understandable, memorable, and shareable
It’s the kind of clarity every biotech company wishes they had when presenting their innovation.
The Cost of Not Explaining Complex Science in Biotech
In biotech, the stakes are higher than dietary confusion.
If your audience — investors, partners, or even clinicians — don’t understand your breakthrough, you risk:
- Missed funding
- Miscommunication
- Missed opportunities
And it’s not because your work isn’t brilliant.
It’s because you’re not explaining complex science in a way others can absorb quickly.
Being right isn’t enough. You need to be clear.
Visuals Make Explaining Complex Science Easier
Here’s what the TED-Ed animation does right — and what biotech storytellers can learn:
- It visually explains a mechanism instead of describing it
- It unpacks a myth without condescension
- It builds trust by being clear, structured, and easy to follow
Final Thought:
Gruk’s tribe understood the hunt once he stopped talking and started drawing.
Your audience is no different.
If you want people to believe in your science, fund your startup, or champion your cause — clarity is everything.
If you’re ready to improve how you’re explaining complex science,
👉 Learn how to explain complex science to investors
