General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: We Live In The Emotional And Economic Wreckage Of This Broken Home.... [View all]The Magistrate
(96,043 posts)In reading through popular or introductory writings on them, I have sometimes found myself distressed or dismayed that this or that detail or element of the thing was slighted, or even omitted, and wished the author had weighted his piece differently, or included something, or otherwise done it differently. I have also had occasion to try and explain things I am very interested in and knowledgeable concerning, to people who know little or nothing about them. The latter experience has left me much less likely to take great umbrage at 'mistakes' or 'omissions' in popular or introductory materials by others. Getting something short and sweet, getting the essential in and available at a quick read, moving things on a direct rout without sidetracks or elaborations that could break the pace and flow; this is a serious trick and a high art, a skill all its own. I expect I could write something which left nothing out, but it would take some years, and probably would not convey the essential elements I wished to present so clearly.
"I regret the length of this letter, but had not time to write a short one."