clear writing

[Michael Yates]

I erased Doug's response to my post on the Lingua Franca article, hence
the new subject line. I think we should try to write as clearly as we
can.  I realize that with new ideas this is often hard to do, but we
should try.  On the other hand, perhaps we should try to raise up the
ability of the "masses" to understand complex writing.  Often seemingly
impenetrable prose has much to offer if we wade through it enough
times.  Then we can try to rephrase it, more clearly, once we grasp it.
(at the risk of the original writer claiming that we are
misinterpreting, etc.!) Keynes's General Theory isn't always crystal
clear. Hansen's guide is clearer, so between the two I was able to get a
good grasp of what Keynes was saying when  I was a student.

Many kinds of writing can be pleasing.  I wore the covers off of Capital
I and loved it despite its density in many parts.  I even used to read
it high on dope!  That's a trip.  I love James Farrell's novels, but I
get a charge out of Nabokov too.  (Though I am sure my dull brain
doesn't get a lot of the latter.)

michael yates