Oct 30, 2022·edited Oct 30, 2022Liked by Andrew Rose
> I fear that for anything which I might write, someone out there has written it better and I should merely read what they have to say.
Relatable. But the idea of "written it better" falls apart under closer examination. Better how, for what purpose? This framing assumes people read to learn only about the topic at hand. Assuming this frame for a second, "better" still doesn't make much sense, as everyone comes in with different prior models of the things discussed, different starting points. Some are already excited about the subject and can withstand winding technical posts while others need someone to show them why it is of any interest at all. Some have background in arts and literature and some in math: of course they would understand and relate to the same explanation differently. Writing an essay on a topic lets you explain it, yes, but I'd put it as it lets you present a framing for the topic. You are free to choose the frame you want, and readers who relate to that frame will enjoy the essay.
So what people are really looking for is a relatable or interesting frame. But note that the frame might be interesting by itself, or interesting because it is _your_ frame, even without regard to the actual topic. That's where the idea of reading purely for learning about the thing falls apart. Reading essays by the same author lets you see their frames and get a glimpse of the world through them and maybe adjust your frames. And it brings you closer to the author, lets you (think you) know them better. Sometimes that's all the reader wants.
Nobody can capture a topic through your frame better than you, and that's what matters.
(This comment is largely inspired by the book “How to Talk About Books You Haven't Read”, I highly recommend it)
> I fear that for anything which I might write, someone out there has written it better and I should merely read what they have to say.
Relatable. But the idea of "written it better" falls apart under closer examination. Better how, for what purpose? This framing assumes people read to learn only about the topic at hand. Assuming this frame for a second, "better" still doesn't make much sense, as everyone comes in with different prior models of the things discussed, different starting points. Some are already excited about the subject and can withstand winding technical posts while others need someone to show them why it is of any interest at all. Some have background in arts and literature and some in math: of course they would understand and relate to the same explanation differently. Writing an essay on a topic lets you explain it, yes, but I'd put it as it lets you present a framing for the topic. You are free to choose the frame you want, and readers who relate to that frame will enjoy the essay.
So what people are really looking for is a relatable or interesting frame. But note that the frame might be interesting by itself, or interesting because it is _your_ frame, even without regard to the actual topic. That's where the idea of reading purely for learning about the thing falls apart. Reading essays by the same author lets you see their frames and get a glimpse of the world through them and maybe adjust your frames. And it brings you closer to the author, lets you (think you) know them better. Sometimes that's all the reader wants.
Nobody can capture a topic through your frame better than you, and that's what matters.
(This comment is largely inspired by the book “How to Talk About Books You Haven't Read”, I highly recommend it)