This started as a long winded comment to this B.A.D.D. post.
The post is somewhat tongue-in-cheek but some seem to read into it (in other places) that I am telling someone how to blog. Heck, I don’t presuppose to know, nor do I care to follow someone’s philosophy as to what “art form” is best suited to blogging—–be it discursive* prose, video or stick figures. It obviouly depends on the context and what needs to be communicated. For example, if I want to communicate the various techniques used to faux paint a room, a visual presentation is easier to understand and more efficient. (Do the bloggery arts allow for posts about faux painting ?). If you think discursive prose is a better way to go in this case, I submit you’re dead wrong. IMO, discursive prose is NOT the superior art form for all blogging, pedantic prose (or video) to the contrary.
As to brevity, presentation & communication via blogs:
Information bombards us on the web. You have to make choices. When it comes to blogs, I find I prefer clear and succinct writing. I certainly do read long blog posts, if the writing is brisk and engaging. But having to stop and look up (read ignore) a Latin phrase or an obscure word (read ignore again) is distracting to me, it breaks up the message (like static) and I don’t enjoy it. Is this edification necessary? But hey, that’s just me. (Do you know why many contracts contain small print, long sentences, legalese and a wall of text? —because you’re not likely to read it.)
Brevity to convey ideas is an art lost on some (no names but you probably know one). Anyone is free to read & write whatever they like—heck, read the encylopaedia, or write one, if you care to. But for me (stress me), I find robust brevity most pleasing. Some prefer Wordsworth, I Catullus. I also prefer reading someone who has a sense of humor. And visuals ARE synapsable (is that a word? I guess you can look it up if you really need to know). Images, music, and poetry do often invoke stronger emotions than discursive prose. And invoking emotions should be a part of blogging, dontcha think?
Like teaching faux painting, a thousand words may not be worth a picture.
*
Related Post:
The Gaping Void of the Zen Blogger’s Manifesto.
Technorati Tags: blogging, B.A.D.D., Zen Blogger’s Manifesto
Could you PUH-LEASE wrestle Athol Kay (http://www.reagentinct.com/2007/06/06/the-reagent-rules-the-bloodhound-drools/) best two out of three falls to find out who Herr Elephant Fly is really bagging on so I’ll know on whose behalf I should have posted the tirade that I’d rather not?
I just hate seeing the two of you compete for his largesse. It’s so undignified. I wash my hands of it!
Herr Elephant Fly bags on all and we are all blessed by it.
I try to be brief and to the point… I really do and then I suddenly wake up and find someone has left all these words on my blog….
How is this for brief?…..”WOW”!
Someone actually feels the need (and finds the time) to look up all those words most uncommonly used and create a blog with them? Someone needs to get some living done while he still can….