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Can you explain that? As an engineer I think generally anything that can be done more simply is nearly always better.
by andy_ppp 6y ago
Can you explain that? As an engineer I think generally anything that can be done more simply is nearly always better.
- keiferski 6y agoNot the parent poster, but: think of speed bumps. They force you to slow down and pay more attention to the road. Some writers, particularly post-modern ones, aim at the same thing. By forcing you to read their works carefully, you'll (in theory) be forced to think about them more.
- andy_ppp 6y agoI don’t think this essay precludes that either, the 1% of 1% of books that are made better by being Proust rather than Vonnegut. And the chances of you being Proust are essentially zero.
- randomsearch 6y agoThat feels like the author is saying “I’m so clever you need to be told when to think about this,” whereas i would prefer to think at my own pace, without deliberate obfuscation, thanks very much. If it’s a work of art, fair enough. If you’re trying to explain or argue something... then you’re probably hiding the holes in your argument or trying to sound smarter than you are.
- keiferski 6y ago...it’s not my reasoning. I’m explaining why some postmodern writers say they have that style. Personally I think it can be hit or miss.
- randomsearch 6y agoI see, thanks for sharing. Just makes them sound pompous.
- hntrader 6y agoThe pretension is the point. The readers want to come across as sophisticated by claiming to have understood impenetrable gibberish.
- andy_ppp 6y agoJames Joyce fan I see ;-)
- ycombinete 6y agoI agree with you personally. But find that not everyone wants to communicate clearly. Some people have made a career out of impenetrable communication.