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Subject:Re: Do I have to understand the material? From:"Richard G. Combs" <richard -dot- combs -at- voyanttech -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 16 Aug 2002 14:23:39 -0600
Bruce Byfield wrote:
> I think this exchange is the gist of Doc's differences with Andrew on
> this point. Doc is talking about the normal working conditions, while
> Andrew is talking about what we should aim for.
>
> I think that writers ought to have to have a healthy regard for both
> viewpoints. On the one hand, we shouldn't let ideals interfer with the
> reality of deadlines and other normal working conditions. On the other
> hand, we shouldn't let realism content us with the often inadequate
> results that we sometimes have to settle for.
Abso-friggin-lutely!
I think Bruce has hit upon one of the reasons that Andrew's posts so
frequently elicit ...ummm... let's say, extended heated debate: it's the
is/ought dichotomy.
Andrew's posts are almost _always_ *prescriptive*. Many of the responses
taking issue have a *descriptive* point of view.
As with grammar and usage, both prescriptive and descriptive points of view
are useful. I confess, however, that in matters of human conduct, I favor a
prescriptive point of view.
Of course, some people describe it as "judgmental." ;-)
Richard
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Richard G. Combs
Senior Technical Writer
Voyant Technologies, Inc.
richardDOTcombs AT voyanttechDOTcom
303-223-5111
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rgcombs AT freeDASHmarketDOTnet
303-777-0436
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