Death sentence
by Watson, Don · first published 2003
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3recommended by
3HN commenters
2011–2024first – last mentioned
100% recommend
A reflection on the state of Australia's public language and how a new language full of cliches, jargon, platitudes and weasel words has emerged.
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I really like the book "Death Sentence" by Don Watson, which eloquently skewers this kind of corporate jargon.
…type-writer can't capture that, but the words you type are still a reflection of you. AI makes few of these considerations, and is unable to convincingly emulate them. Strongly recommend you read Don Watson's Death Sentence: The Decay of Public Language for a good comparison of the bland paste we get fed by institutions (and AI) and robust writing from the heart meant to persuade or reflect feelings.
on “How it feels to get an AI email from a friend” ↗Death Sentence (http://www.amazon.com/Death-Sentences-Management-Speak-Stran...) by Don Watson is the seminal work on the topic.
on “I Don't Understand What Anyone Is Saying Anymore” ↗Death Sentence - The Decay of Public Language, by Don Watson. Blisteringly good. Not aimed at technical writers, but encourages you to think about how to really use language effectively and robustly.
on “What I think about when I edit (2019)” ↗