argumate:
something that impresses me about Michael Pettis (economist) is the way he explains global trade imbalances multiple times a day for years and yet he still spells it out as clearly as possible every time, sticking to his familiar themes but patiently writing it out from scratch as if he’s raising the topic for the very first time.
I assume that’s because he’s an academic and in teaching it’s often necessary to convey ideas from centuries ago and demonstrating how they are still fresh and relevant today, especially if as in many cases they are not as widely understood as they should be.
but so many extremely online commentators do not do this! there is a common but regrettable dynamic where a once clear and legible voice obtains an appreciative audience and over time begins preaching to the choir, devolving into cryptic allusions and ironic winks and in-jokes that flatter the crowd assembling around them but creates a bubble limiting the reach and applicability of their message to others.
if you have something to say and you believe it’s important then can you express it simply and clearly to people who don’t already know about it or agree with you? I think this is a necessary skill.