One of the criticisms (or concerns might be a better word) most often raised about my written work is that it’s just too long. I’m constantly reminded that we are living in a “fast twitch” society, that people have short attention spans, and that no one will actually take actually the time to read something if, well, it has too many words. My response to that is to keep producing works of unacceptable length and to keep using no fewer words than I think necessary to make the point.
When thinking about this, the quagmire of too many words, I am sometimes reminded of one of my favorite scenes from the movie Amadeus. Joseph II, the Emperor of Austria (who, by the way, was not nearly as idiotic in real life) has commissioned a young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to write an opera. Mozart eagerly accepts the commission and composes the opera Seraglio.
The scene occurs on the stage of the opera house, just after the first performance is over.
I LOVE this scene!
Now don’t get me wrong, I certainly think there is a time and a place to be quick and concise. We have a marketing department, for example, and their job is to try and say a lot as quickly and as viscerally as they can. Not an easy job. To successfully convey any sort of message with a punch line and a few images is pretty tricky. It takes skill. And for what it's worth, I think some of the best and most compelling "art" in media today can be found in television commercials. (Think about it, a good commercial really is a mini 30-second film). And is it just me or are movie trailers often far better the movies themselves?
So I certainly respect the ability to convey a compelling message in sound bite sized chunks.
But—
Maybe I’m just being old school here, maybe I’m just thinking like a crusty, out-of-date pc loving, VCR owning Digital Immigrant, but I still think there is no more compelling and powerful a method of communication than the written word—even in our fast paced, multimedia age. Talk is cheap. When you say something, it can too often be lost, forgotten or misinterpreted. But when you take the time to write it down, it elevates the discourse; it facilitates thought, it has deeper meaning, it shows that you’ve taken the time to actually think about what you have to say and that you have the courage and depth of conviction to throw it out there.
In his blog, “Web 2.0 is the Future of Education” Steve Hargadon wrote: “The answer to information overload is to produce more information.”
Yes Steve, it is.
So go ahead---write it down.
Throw it out there.
Produce more content—just produce better content.
And if you have to, use too many words.
When thinking about this, the quagmire of too many words, I am sometimes reminded of one of my favorite scenes from the movie Amadeus. Joseph II, the Emperor of Austria (who, by the way, was not nearly as idiotic in real life) has commissioned a young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to write an opera. Mozart eagerly accepts the commission and composes the opera Seraglio.
The scene occurs on the stage of the opera house, just after the first performance is over.
JOSEPH
Well, Herr Mozart! A good effort.
Decidedly that. An excellent effort!
You've shown us something quite new today.
Mozart bows frantically: he is over-excited.
MOZART
It is new, it is, isn't it, Sire?
JOSEPH
Yes, indeed.
MOZART
And German?
JOSEPH
Oh, yes. Absolutely. German.
Unquestionably!
MOZART
So then you like it? You really like it, Your Majesty?
JOSEPH
Of course I do. It's very good. Of course now and then - just now and then - it gets a touch elaborate.
MOZART
What do you mean, Sire?
JOSEPH
Well, I mean occasionally it seems to have, how shall one say (he stops in difficulty; to Orsini- Ronberg) How shall one say, Director?
ORSINI-ROSENBERG
Too many notes, Your Majesty?
JOSEPH
Exactly. Very well put. Too many notes.
MOZART
I don't understand. There are just as many notes, Majesty, as are required. Neither more nor less.
JOSEPH
My dear fellow, there are in fact only so many notes the ear can hear in the course of an evening. I think I'm right in saying that, aren't I, Court Composer?
SALIERI
Yes! yes! er, on the whole, yes, Majesty
MOZART
(to Salieri)
But this is absurd!
JOSEPH
My dear, young man, don't take it too hard. Your work is ingenious. It's quality work. And there are simply too many notes, that's all. Cut a few and it will be perfect.
MOZART
Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?
Well, Herr Mozart! A good effort.
Decidedly that. An excellent effort!
You've shown us something quite new today.
Mozart bows frantically: he is over-excited.
MOZART
It is new, it is, isn't it, Sire?
JOSEPH
Yes, indeed.
MOZART
And German?
JOSEPH
Oh, yes. Absolutely. German.
Unquestionably!
MOZART
So then you like it? You really like it, Your Majesty?
JOSEPH
Of course I do. It's very good. Of course now and then - just now and then - it gets a touch elaborate.
MOZART
What do you mean, Sire?
JOSEPH
Well, I mean occasionally it seems to have, how shall one say (he stops in difficulty; to Orsini- Ronberg) How shall one say, Director?
ORSINI-ROSENBERG
Too many notes, Your Majesty?
JOSEPH
Exactly. Very well put. Too many notes.
MOZART
I don't understand. There are just as many notes, Majesty, as are required. Neither more nor less.
JOSEPH
My dear fellow, there are in fact only so many notes the ear can hear in the course of an evening. I think I'm right in saying that, aren't I, Court Composer?
SALIERI
Yes! yes! er, on the whole, yes, Majesty
MOZART
(to Salieri)
But this is absurd!
JOSEPH
My dear, young man, don't take it too hard. Your work is ingenious. It's quality work. And there are simply too many notes, that's all. Cut a few and it will be perfect.
MOZART
Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?
I LOVE this scene!
Now don’t get me wrong, I certainly think there is a time and a place to be quick and concise. We have a marketing department, for example, and their job is to try and say a lot as quickly and as viscerally as they can. Not an easy job. To successfully convey any sort of message with a punch line and a few images is pretty tricky. It takes skill. And for what it's worth, I think some of the best and most compelling "art" in media today can be found in television commercials. (Think about it, a good commercial really is a mini 30-second film). And is it just me or are movie trailers often far better the movies themselves?
So I certainly respect the ability to convey a compelling message in sound bite sized chunks.
But—
Maybe I’m just being old school here, maybe I’m just thinking like a crusty, out-of-date pc loving, VCR owning Digital Immigrant, but I still think there is no more compelling and powerful a method of communication than the written word—even in our fast paced, multimedia age. Talk is cheap. When you say something, it can too often be lost, forgotten or misinterpreted. But when you take the time to write it down, it elevates the discourse; it facilitates thought, it has deeper meaning, it shows that you’ve taken the time to actually think about what you have to say and that you have the courage and depth of conviction to throw it out there.
In his blog, “Web 2.0 is the Future of Education” Steve Hargadon wrote: “The answer to information overload is to produce more information.”
Yes Steve, it is.
So go ahead---write it down.
Throw it out there.
Produce more content—just produce better content.
And if you have to, use too many words.
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2 comments:
Fantastic post. I recall that scene from Amadeus vividly. It is so humorous and poignant at the same time. Keep writing well and use all the words you need, sir!
I quote that line from Amadeus with some frequency! Great stuff!
I agree with your take on this. And to take it a step further, I have to wonder if we're only worsening the problem by catering to the shortened attention span of each successive generation.
In fact, I believe that we're fostering - if not outright creating - society disorders like ADHD by giving in to the demand for instant gratification and constant entertainment immersion, and ceaseless (but also often meaningless) communication.
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