> if the very first sentence of a work is essentially there to downplay the very topic it talks about, then how does that help the content whatsoever? It signi

> if the very first sentence of a work is essentially there to downplay the very topic it talks about, then how does that help the content whatsoever? It signifies 'you may not think you are going to find this interesting, you may not be very technical - but trust me, I'm like you and you will find it interesting - and this article will be written in plain, colloquial english which you are likely to understand with a bit of humour'. It may not work for you, but it provides reassurance for other readers, such as - me.