I also think your diagnosis of Nelson of hedging to play politician is 100% correct, and feel mildly ashamed (but not too muchβit's useful) to recognize myself doing the same in my writing, conversations, statements, etc; uncharitably far-reaching "America bad" statements and all.
I don't think this is just a left-wing thing, because I do it equally when talking to folks on my rightβI'm thinking of Scott Alexander's advice for nonfiction writing, point #7: "Figure out who youβre trying to convince, then use the right tribal signals": https://slatestarcodex.com/2016/02/20/writing-advice/
I have literally never been more excited for a post & this did not disappoint!
One thing Iβm curious about, as someone whoβs never seriously studied literature (RIP): what does it mean for a work or approach or sensibility to be βnovelisticβ?
I also think your diagnosis of Nelson of hedging to play politician is 100% correct, and feel mildly ashamed (but not too muchβit's useful) to recognize myself doing the same in my writing, conversations, statements, etc; uncharitably far-reaching "America bad" statements and all.
I don't think this is just a left-wing thing, because I do it equally when talking to folks on my rightβI'm thinking of Scott Alexander's advice for nonfiction writing, point #7: "Figure out who youβre trying to convince, then use the right tribal signals": https://slatestarcodex.com/2016/02/20/writing-advice/
I have literally never been more excited for a post & this did not disappoint!
One thing Iβm curious about, as someone whoβs never seriously studied literature (RIP): what does it mean for a work or approach or sensibility to be βnovelisticβ?