4 ms·
Most writing out there competing for your attention doesn't deserve it, and in writing that does deserve your attention, there are actually only small "hot spot
by forgottenpass 11y ago
Most writing out there competing for your attention doesn't deserve it, and in writing that does deserve your attention, there are actually only small "hot spots" which do, not everything.
I don't know if digital reading is shrinking my reading attention span, but "long form journalism" sure is. The utility of the journalism in day to day life is already quite low, and the utility is usually correlated with boring and dry. Reading articles written by people who think so highly of their storytelling to waste my time by padding it out made me realize I don't give a fuck. Now I can't help but notice regular news is padded out as well. There is still room in my heart for in depth reporting, but "long form" is a trick to be engaging, just like clickbait but with a fake air of importance.
- kazinator 11y agoI find myself particularly turned off by lengthy introductory paragraphs that begin with some useless generality, anecdote and such: stuff that might be effective in public speaking or writing essays. I know that connecting the material to the real world somehow is important: to provide a bridge to the subject matter which makes it relevant to the readers. But at the same time, I recognize the device and it's just irksome. I've already somehow decided that I'm interested, and landed on the page already; you don't have to waste words convincing me. Petty Woman [1990 movie] quote sums it up: I appreciate this whole seduction thing you've got going on here, but let me give you a tip: I'm a sure thing. :)