The Tech Writer Revealed

Social behavior

The technical writer is social creature out of necessity and not necessarily by choice. Despite its social abilities, the technical writer often finds itself at odds with the very subspecies with which it is supposed to work. Some observers have noted that this friction is due to an under-inflated ego or an over-sensitivity to its own perceived shortcomings. After all, the technical writer is a highly-specialized subspecies. Other observers have pointed to the abrasive attitudes of the other subspecies in the corporate group and more specifically the attitudes these other subspecies hold about writing in general (see Techwr-l for ongoing articles about this topic).

The technical writer displays the following common social characteristics:

Community awareness
The technical writer have been sighted performing various volunteer work and community services. This demonstrates a general sense of community awareness and a desire to help others. Technical writers have also shown a tendency to speak out against a social wrong, whether real or perceived.
Social liberalism
Many observers have noted a strong liberal streak running through the technical writer psyche, manifesting in a dislike for right-wing politics, bigotry, prejudice, religious fanaticism and "mean people." This liberalism affects the technical writer's social behavior and play.
"No Respect" syndrome
The technical writer often feels it doesn't get the respect it deserves from other subspecies in the corporate group. Whether this is perceived or real, it is definitely a part of the technical writer cultural mythology.

The technical writer shows a strong attachment to friends and family. The subspecies surrounds itself with intelligent, witty and eccentric people, more so than any other corporate human.