True, I fully see your point of people imposing their subjective views over-confidently. It is a real problem. :-( But I don't think Zinsser there means to ge

True, I fully see your point of people imposing their subjective views over-confidently. It is a real problem. :-( But I don't think Zinsser there means to get rid of all 'timidities'. The subtext my mind's eye read there was: don't overdo it. And he goes on to expand: "Every little qualifier whittles away some fraction of the reader's trust. Readers want a writer who believes in himself and in what he's saying. Don't diminish that trust." For instance, I know smart people who often apologize for no reason, do excessive hedging, or start a request with an apology. It gets a bit annoying when I have to read or hear that everyday.