In contrast to not making any explanation of a particular piece of technology or undertaking an action at all, there is the opposite option where the author will explain virtually every technological advance since the year dot. This can be done either as an explanation from one person to a colleague - the 'As you know Bob' syndrome - or as a complete aside to the main action. Most authors seem to be able to steer clear of the former these days, but the latter is still regrettably common. David Weber is an accomplished proponent of the art of dumping vast swathes of explanatory text into the middle of a story.
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