Quotation
“If you believe you are right, say so. Explain why. It doesn’t matter that you are young, or unknown, or lack credentials, or that crowds of famous people disagree. Don’t hesitate or muddy the water. The truth matters; show us the right answer, and get out of the way,” (pg 7).
Comment
I chose this quote because it was very honest and to the point. However, I do not understand the purpose of the last few words, “and get out of the way.” I know that is supposed to suggest ‘don’t drag it on’, but it seemed a bit harsh. The author of this article seems very confident and knowledgeable about the topic, which is great, but it is almost a bit bossy. If that is the style of this author, it makes sense for the message to be blunt. The advice in general is a bit cryptic when it comes to the numerous metaphors. Although, I do appreciate the precise advice of just explaining yourself. If you think you are correct then say that, and back it up with evidence. I agree with that, but it is hard to be that confident when one does not have as much experience. But that is the point. The author is explaining that you just need to have confidence regardless of what you look like on paper. People should believe that they can help others learn. If you want to influence people, you have to start by believing you can influence them with the information you can provide. Another part of the quote was, ‘Don’t hesitate or muddy the water’. This pertains to being clear when sharing information. The point of the message was to be clear and concise. Do your research and just share the bare minimum for understanding the main message. There is no need to add fluff and embellish the truth.
Question
Did you find the author’s advice helpful for your personal writing? Or was there some bias in this article?
