[stcredzero]

But please, nobody comes from doctors saying they're bad communicators.

Actually, my girlfriend complains about this all the time. (She's African American.)

There have also been a number of recent studies that support this. In many cases, doctors have already decided the diagnosis after only 18 seconds. (So they completely tune out the rest, which is not always optimal.)

But everybody is an expert on software - since their mother told them so.

Everyone's also an expert on their own bodies. Ballplayers have been saying for years, "everyone in the stands is an expert." Programming isn't unique in this regard.

I'm an excellent communicator, I can figure out how to talk to anyone about anything

Possible red flag here. It's the other direction that's the hard part. Also the vital part.

[DuncanIdaho]

The other direction?

You mean that people don't know how to talk to me? I don't have tentacles growing out of my head you know... Could you elaborate a bit?

[stcredzero]

The other direction?

You mean that people don't know how to talk to me?

Excellent illustration of the issue. In answer to the 2nd question: It's possibly an intractable problem!