Persuade xor Discover
19 hours ago
- Social conventions of being ingratiating in print are more dangerous than in person because they mix with ideas, leading to real lies.
- Politicians use spin to soften the impact of truths, but this padding can distort the core message.
- An example compares a blunt paragraph about labor unions with a rewritten version that pleases union supporters while making the same point.
- Writing to persuade often requires pandering to readers' misconceptions, whereas writing to discover aims for truth and conciseness.
- Essay writers face a trade-off: pleasing readers vs. exploring surprising ideas without distortion.
- Conciseness helps clarify ideas, while excessive spin can lead to self-deception and hinder discovery.