Intelligent Life
“The bond
between book reader and book writer has always been a tightly symbiotic one, a
means of intellectual and artistic cross-fertilization. The words of the writer
act as a catalyst in the mind of the reader, inspiring new insights,
connections, and perceptions. And the very existence of the attentive, critical
reader provides the spur for the writer’s work. It gives the author the
confidence to explore new forms of expression, to blaze difficult and demanding
paths of thought, to venture into uncharted and sometimes hazardous territory.
“‘All great men have written proudly, nor cared to explain,’ said Emerson. ‘They
knew that the intelligent reader would come at last, and would thank
them.’”
—Nicholas Carr, author, The Shallows, 2010
• Editorial Comment: Of course, then there’s the less discerning audience member, which in turn explains cable TV.
(The 107,000-acre Happy Camp fire turns Trinidad red.)
TODAY'S WORD ON JOURNALISM is a free “service” sent to the 1,800 or so misguided subscribers around the planet. If you have recovered from whatever led you to subscribe and don’t want it anymore, send “unsubscribe” to ted.pease@gmail.com. Or if you want to afflict someone else, send me the email address and watch the fun begin. (Disclaimer: I just quote ’em, I don’t necessarily endorse ’em. But all contain at least a kernel of insight. Don’t shoot the messenger.)
Ted Pease, Professor of Interesting Stuff, Trinidad, California. (Be)Friend The WORD
“Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones, in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.” —Tom Stoppard
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