The most embarrassing part is the snoring.

And the breathing pattern that indicates deep, deep sleep.

I’m 10 years old and my dad is getting some really good R.E.M. time. He had piled me and two friends into his truck and made the 20-minute drive into town.

He bought four tickets, maybe some popcorn. And before the previews were over, he fell into a slumber that didn’t end until the credits rolled.

As a child, with my friends in tow, I was aghast.

As a father, though?

I get it, Dad.

Sometimes a change in perspective is all it takes to get some clarity. And it doesn’t need to take a couple of decades.

(Ok, confession time: early in my career I took a weekday off to myself. I overate at a buffet, then went to a matinee. The only one in the theater, I made it through the first act. But I couldn’t fight sleep when the post-lunch groggies came calling. So, that was the first time I understood, but being a dad gave me a whole other perspective.)

You can better understand your technical audience without taking a nap.

Or having a kid.

My latest post on community content programs covers one way to seek the perspective of your audience.

It can also help you publish more technical content on topics that are clearly important to the exact people you want to read it.

​The post also includes some gotchas and guidelines, so don’t snooze on it like a 40-something father in a dark room with cartoons on the screen.

(Just an example, Dad).