Whitwell Elwin's recommendation that Darwin's "Origin of Species" be revamped to focus on pigeons: http://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/DCP-LETT-2457A.xml … … "Every body is interested in pigeons." Easy to laugh, but the letter has some sensible observations, though misses the big picture. Taste is tough.
-
What saves it, I think, is that while it is written authoritatively and prescriptively, as you say, it does not impose itself on Darwin. I read it as saying: "you have asked for my opinion, and here it is, in unapologetic truth and sincerity. But I may be wrong."
What's a bit painful about it (and letters like it) isn't that it's unfairly imposing, but that it's simultaneously so genuine, authoritative, vulnerable, cuttingly correct, and wildly off-base. It's the perfect combo of social, emotional, and cognitive dissonance
-
-
I guess the worst advice is very-nearly-excellent advice: so close to excellent that you have trouble discounting it, but fatally flawed so that following it would be a disaster.
-
Your framing made me realize I've received advice like that on some big life decisions. Which sometimes I took (unfortunately), and sometimes I ignored (but with much difficulty).
End of conversation
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.