Re: Gould and opinion

[Jeffrey Alan Bartlett <jabartle@unity.ncsu.edu>]

Indeed that is so.  With Gould, as with Dickens, writing style is not
for everyone - well said.  And unfortunately, Joe is also wise in
pointing out the confusion between the 'what is said' and the 'how it is
said':  When one's opinion of one aspect is strong it tends to color
one's opinion of the other.  

So yes, the interest for responses lies in the unraveling of arguments,
especially when a strong voice plays fast and loose with the facts.

y'alls


Jeff

joe wrote:
> 
> Isn't it interesting that whenever people talk of something as purely
> personal and subjective as a person's writing style, many of them begin
> to pick up the attitude that others who disagree are simply wrong? Not
> saying everyone who has commented has taken this attitude but it has
> been prevalent in some. Personally, I applaud Sherry for going on record
> with a stance that she knew would raise the hackles of people. Let's
> face it, Gould's writing style is not for everyone. But it is only a
> matter of opinion and therefore can not be wrong. Likewise, if you think
> he is the greatest writer in the world, you aren't wrong either. But
> let's be wary of mistaking opinion for fact.
> Gould's statements of fact, now there is something that can be argued
> and critiqued on the basis of right and wrong as some have already done.
> 
> Joe Daniel