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In a similar vein, I got to the word "saltimbocca", two paragraphs in, and was painfully and utterly bored. And frankly, skimming the rest, I found most of the
by k_roy 4y ago
In a similar vein, I got to the word "saltimbocca", two paragraphs in, and was painfully and utterly bored.
And frankly, skimming the rest, I found most of the "conclusions" rather insulting. Imagine a world where fancy words can both give a simple idea, as well as provide a deeper meaning to those that look.
Indeed some of the most profound and lasting prose is that which paints a scene in your mind.
So what brings around a better image?
"The room was green".
Great? Do I care? Will that last?
Or
"The hue of the walls enveloped the space in a lush, verdant color. It was a shade that reminiscent of spring meadows and flourishing gardens, invigorating and rejuvenating to the senses. The green was not just a simple tint, but a depth of tone that conveyed life and growth. The room felt fresh and lively, as if it were breathing with the vibrancy of nature itself. The walls seemed to glow in the light, casting a serene aura that made you feel at peace. The color was bold yet calming, creating a space that was both exhilarating and relaxing at the same time."
I want to BE in this room. I can almost smell it.
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]
- fartymcfly 4y agoMr. Graham's article reads like a child's blog post. It's an attempted philosophical appeal with supporting details that consist of pure opinion. I think it can be summarized as an appeal to Paul Graham's authority, were that an established logical fallacy. Having read a lot of Paul Graham's shit over the years-links in HackerNews, I get the impression that this guy just likes to write for the sake of writing. But it makes me ask: why does his stuff consistently make it to the top of HN? Were it anyone else, the comment section would be rife with the ilk (pardon my unsimple Scottish!) of, "Why does this site not have a valid SSL certificate?"
- Swizec 4y agoGood writing is hard. Word choice is more about style and vibe than good writing. For example, I can tell from your first paragraph that the character is a little boring, a bit plan. They get to the point and don’t have time to mess around. The character in your second paragraph is a pompous ass, they think highly of themselves, perhaps love to hear themselves think. Like a teenager who discovered depth and can’t wait to tell everyone. Both can be fine. It depends. Personally I like it when authors have something to say and don’t hide behind grand flourishes. Use the big words where they shine, stand out, and make a point. Let your story do the work, not your words. But that’s me. Some people like to slug it out with the author in page after page of inscrutable prose. Hell, just look at Ulysses. edit: You can use variations in style also. A character that talks like your second paragraph, but when their grandma asks about the room they go "It was green." Oooof sizzle. Drama! What happened here!? Tell me more.
- k_roy 4y agolol. I was trying to make a bit of a contrast, but I dunno if I'd go so far as to say "pompous ass". Ultimately you have a good point. My second example was over-the-top, and the first was over-simplified. I think it's safe to say there can be some middle-ground. Or at least not "yo dawg, write simple bro, because words be hard" as a teenager close to me might say.
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]
- travisjungroth 4y agoThe first makes me think of a plain green room. The second makes me think of the author.
- xyzelement 4y agoI am not exaggerating, my brain skipped reading that "the hue" paragraph of your post. Took me a second to recognize this is exactly pg's point. I am sure it's my loss, but I bailed.