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3 Years today since Hitch died.
#11
RE: 3 Years today since Hitch died.
He was a fantastic writer, too. His Why Orwell Matters is not only a precise explication of Orwell's relevance -- and amazing foresight -- it is also a beautifully-written book that was simply a pleasure to read. The man was a master of language.

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#12
RE: 3 Years today since Hitch died.
(December 25, 2014 at 1:11 am)Parkers Tan Wrote: He was a fantastic writer, too. His Why Orwell Matters is not only a precise explication of Orwell's relevance -- and amazing foresight -- it is also a beautifully-written book that was simply a pleasure to read. The man was a master of language.

I knew he read Orwell, but I didn't know he wrote a book about him. Oh but as far as his lexicon, It isn't that he had a big one. But I do think he spent way to much focus on that. His messages in his book are important, but if all you do is focus on it looking ornate that message can get lost on the people who need it the most.

God Is Not Great was the only one I found to be an easy read. Hitch 22 I felt he spent too much time name dropping and over did it with his language. "Author of America" about Jefferson was ok but a bit harder for me.

I don't think unless you are writing strictly for Oxford PHDs you need to always write like that. No one is saying dumb it down, but lots of times the words you use if overdone, the message can get lost in it.

I know growing up I had a hard time with learning and not because the subject matter was always hard, but morso that the book and or the teacher was not speaking to me, but talking like an expert and not a layperson.

There is something to be said for simplicity too.
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#13
RE: 3 Years today since Hitch died.
Hitchens' "Mortality" was fearless and deeply moving. The only other two books I own by him are Why Orwell Matters and The Missionary Position. Both are excellent, the penmanship top-notch. I think he wrote a pamphlet-size book on Thomas Paine, if so, I would really like to check it out...but I'm not sure?
He who loves God cannot endeavour that God should love him in return - Baruch Spinoza
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#14
RE: 3 Years today since Hitch died.
(December 25, 2014 at 8:23 am)Brian37 Wrote: There is something to be said for simplicity too.

That's exactly why I love Hitchens's writing: it is not florid; it is direct, to the point, and what metaphors, imagery, and other literary devices he employs -- and they are few -- are apt and solidly constructed.

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#15
RE: 3 Years today since Hitch died.
(December 26, 2014 at 2:22 pm)Parkers Tan Wrote:
(December 25, 2014 at 8:23 am)Brian37 Wrote: There is something to be said for simplicity too.

That's exactly why I love Hitchens's writing: it is not florid; it is direct, to the point, and what metaphors, imagery, and other literary devices he employs -- and they are few -- are apt and solidly constructed.

Huh? Um no, I think even the books I found easy to read are for many above their heads. It is not a slight on him. But there really is nothing new under the sun. You can create a all sorts of fancy sounding words to describe mundane everyday things.

I don't fault Hitchens for his lexicon. I do however think his reach limited him because of such. How many different words for example, can you come up with melted cheese, snails, or stools you rest your feet on?

Language is code, it is nothing special. I have learned that whatever sounds fancy, you can put in layperson's terms.

My mom I have to credit for my attitude on not wading down the yellow brick road of apologists in defending the bible. Looking back at Occham's Razor now, way after the fact of what I am about to explain, it makes sense. Peal back any onion, and the core is not as complicated as what is presented to you.

One day I was sitting on the couch watching TV, and had my feet rested on a footstool. My mom just came back from shopping, opened the door abruptly, slammed it shut behind her and the first words out of her mouth complaining to me were "What are you doing? Get your feet off the Ottoman!" I had never heard that word so I said "What?" She repeated "Get your feet off the Ottoman!", she elevated her volume and I knew she was angry "GET YOUR FEET OFF THE OTTOMAN!" pointing at the STOOL.

I finally got what she was saying and thought to myself " My name is not Biff, I do not date someone named Buffy and I don't go to Harvard". After a half our of pealing back the onion as to why she got angry, it was not me at all, she was angry at getting stuck at another lady at the grocery store for making her wait with too many coupons.

The point being, is that yes, while it is important to educate yourself, it isn't always important to dress something up. If she had said "Get your feet off the footstool" I would have done so quicker.

But the funny part is, and we laugh about that now. But the funny and good part about that is that not just about her fancy language using that word, but the fact that even after I understood she wanted my feet off of the footstool, having to figure out it was not me in the first place, to this day has helped me developed a extremely good crap detector when it comes to theists and apologists.


I love Hitchens, but how many people take a constitutional every day? Lots of people do, but how many people simply say "I am going to take a walk"?
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#16
RE: 3 Years today since Hitch died.
No, I said his his writing -- not his vocabulary -- is direct and to the point.

You truly are wedded to the argument as a form of discourse.

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