Hmmm I know what you mean. Emotions can easily influence how we put things, and add just a little... intensity, bluntness, we would otherwise avoid. It's good to know about it, and in the heat of the moment, take a step back and think.... do I really, really want to write this? It's interesting, though, pieces that run partly on emotions are more compelling to the emotions of other people, too. The reason-giving often suffers then, though not always. I wonder if, when somebody's put his heart into some writing, it's similar to the charisma of a speaker.

This is definitely something I've run into since I started writing. One thing that I find is that writing will actually PUT me in a peak-state. I sit down, not really knowing what I'll write, but maybe a vague topic is in my head. Then, bam, before I know it, I'm forming a case, and convincing myself of that case as I go. Then suddenly I'm like, oh hell yea that's good, and WITH A RISING CRESCENDO, I drive my point home with a sledgehammer.

It's kind of fun. I'm not sure it's good writing. But for me it's part of my creative process. I get excited about ideas, I run with them and see if they stick, I bounce them off friends. The good ones stick around, and over the course of weeks or months or years subtly morph every time I write or talk about them. Yes, the inputs of people I talk to are invaluable. But also, there's a conversation going on between excited me, and cool, rational me, and every time excited me goes off on a tear, cool rational me makes some tweaks too.

Hence how I got started with my current project. I would write letters to people that started off on commentary on a specific situation, but ended up as rants on the state of the universe. Really not fair to turn that fire-hose of enthusiasm on any one person. So these days, if I find myself writing something like that, I try to publish it for anyone who will listen.

This is also tied to my Fear of Success. For me, writing is as much of a creative process as a creative product. In software also, shipping can be hard because it's never really done. Any artist knows this feeling. The part of the fear of success is the fear that this work-in-progress will achieve some fame and notoriety, and become frozen and unable to grow. But I agree with Stefanie, these raw, unfiltered pieces are often the most powerful. By the time a thought has become sterilized and suitable for public consumption, it's often lost a lot of its unique flavor. Much like coffee beans actually.

So, yea, I feel ya man. But try not to let it censor you. Let your works stand on their own. People who understand art will let you stand on your own too. And the rest will continue to smack their lips together in a way that brings them pleasure. It's all good.

P.S. since this is basically a letter already... you totally got me hooked on UR. So, thanks, and another plug for your readers. ;)

Ah, good comment, but I actually meant it almost the opposite way. I'd say 99th percentile assertiveness is the more correct version, it's the normal me that has to catch up and step his game up.

> I wonder if, when somebody’s put his heart into some writing, it’s similar to the charisma of a speaker.

Interesting. Yes, I think so, probably, yeah.

Good comment, good stuff.

Careful with UR, btw. Mencius is stark raving crazy. (I think he'd take that as a compliment, incidentally.) A good historian, though, he really works hard to go to primary sources whenever possible and actually reads mountains and mountains of books, which is fascinating. Makes you realize how much of history is ret-conned to fit the narrative.

Ah, good comment, but I actually meant it almost the opposite way. I’d say 99th percentile assertiveness is the more correct version, it’s the normal me that has to catch up and step his game up.

That's an interesting perspective - it gives your less assertive self the 'task' or maybe even 'inclination' to try and be more assertive. Sounds good - one just has to be careful not to overdo it with the emotions.

Yea, he's clearly pretty nuts. I enjoy it.

The sad thing is that if you give your child a unique name and they grow up in America, they will be at a disadvantage their entire life. Numerous researchers have studied the affect of the name on children, and giving your child a special or unique name will put them at a disadvantage.

Quite possibly yeah, Gozar, but it's a huge advantage as an adult to have a name people will remember instead of just being another "Mike" or "John" or whatever. Also, a well-picked uncommon name has a way to grant a lot of presence. For instance, if I had a son who was half-English, I'd like the name "Wellington" for him, named after the Iron Duke. Wellington Marshall - yeah, he might get teased for it a little, but that's an incredibly powerful name, eh?