The response one expects when engaging in the catching up over a publicly accessible medium.
Orwell was onto something good in all his points, but I think he's guilty of oversimplification. Especially when it comes to the choice of words - some people aim to give a general and simple idea (thus using simple langauge) while others aim for precision. I am one of those who nitpicks everything he says, often correcting myself even in casual conversation - I am especially careful with words and if a large yet obscure word conveys my intended meaning more precisely than a more common word, I will use it.
The two problems with this are (a) perceived wankiness and (b) ignorant or stupid people. (a) occurs when in an argument, and people will for some reason or other decide that you are trying to dazzle them with your vocabulary or bring the argument beyond the limits of their knowledge. I resolve this by explaining the word used, this often leads to exposing a crucial oversight in the position against which I am arguing. (b) isn't a problem, since I only talk to the intelligent - ie, people who would rather learn a new word than think less of someone for using it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2007-05-19 01:47 pm (UTC)The response one expects when engaging in the catching up over a publicly accessible medium.
Orwell was onto something good in all his points, but I think he's guilty of oversimplification. Especially when it comes to the choice of words - some people aim to give a general and simple idea (thus using simple langauge) while others aim for precision. I am one of those who nitpicks everything he says, often correcting myself even in casual conversation - I am especially careful with words and if a large yet obscure word conveys my intended meaning more precisely than a more common word, I will use it.
The two problems with this are (a) perceived wankiness and (b) ignorant or stupid people. (a) occurs when in an argument, and people will for some reason or other decide that you are trying to dazzle them with your vocabulary or bring the argument beyond the limits of their knowledge. I resolve this by explaining the word used, this often leads to exposing a crucial oversight in the position against which I am arguing. (b) isn't a problem, since I only talk to the intelligent - ie, people who would rather learn a new word than think less of someone for using it.