Wanted: Connoisseurs

[coberst]

Wanted: Connoisseurs

Connoisseur—one who understands the details, technique, or principles of an art and is competent to act as a critical judge—one who enjoys with discrimination and appreciation of subtleties.

[b]When speaking of connoisseurs we generally think of gourmets, food, wine, wealth, gout and diabetics. I want to add something new to your connotations—I want to talk about ‘connoisseurs of words’.

To become a person who enjoys the discrimination and appreciation of the subtleties of words and thus of reality one needs to become a reader of books.[/b] Don’t run away—this may be more pleasant and less painful than you think.

To become wise of the world, to become a connoisseur of words, it is advisable to be a card carrying member of a large library. Many small city libraries do not fully qualify but most people are close to a small college that has a relatively large library. Most college libraries have a ‘Friends of the Library’ card that is available to any state citizen for a small yearly fee of like $25.

Becoming a card carrying member of the ‘connoisseur of words’ club is easy, delightful, inexpensive, and profoundly interesting; and occasionally, as Carl Sagan said, “understanding is a kind of ecstasy”.

There are other ways to discover the nature of reality beyond the superficial but reading books is one of the easiest and best, in my judgment. One cannot comprehend the depths of reality without comprehending the words that communicate that depth and one cannot comprehend the words without reading books of quality. Pulp fiction does not qualify as being books of quality.

[Ierrellus]

Reading can also become the arsenal for bigots and narcissists. I really wish education could make one more compassionate and empathetic; but I’ve not seen this to be the case.

[oldphil]

How do you think we gained knowledge before the internet…books!

[pieces_of_rain]

I want to be a connoisseur of words. I want other people to be connoisseurs of words too, but it doesn’t seem to be working.

@coberst

One cannot comprehend the depths of reality without comprehending the words that communicate that depth and one cannot comprehend the words without reading books of quality. Pulp fiction does not qualify as being books of quality.

So what does qualify as a book of quality? I see nothing wrong with reading pulp fiction. Good language isn’t locked up in the works of a few masters. I think a connoisseur of words (I like that phrase) would read deeply and widely. It’s more enjoyable that way too.

[Gobbo]

Pulp Fiction is an odd example as Tarrentino is an ordinary language philosopher, if you may. He uses otherwise ordinary sounding dialogues, but in combination with other things he hints at more.

As Coberst said, you cannot grasp the depth of a concept unless you have the vocabulary and proper command of syntax, so while Pulp Fiction sounds cool, you are left wondering what it is exactly that he’s really saying.

I remember when I decided to go into writing, it was when I realized that words are the very foundation of everything. One day perhaps, I’ll become a connoisseur.

[coberst]

@Ierrellus

Reading can also become the arsenal for bigots and narcissists. I really wish education could make one more compassionate and empathetic; but I’ve not seen this to be the case.

Yes I understand your point. Reading is part of the solution but it is not sufficient for what the world needs at his point.

[coberst]

@pieces_of_rain

I want to be a connoisseur of words. I want other people to be connoisseurs of words too, but it doesn’t seem to be working.

@coberst

One cannot comprehend the depths of reality without comprehending the words that communicate that depth and one cannot comprehend the words without reading books of quality. Pulp fiction does not qualify as being books of quality.

So what does qualify as a book of quality? I see nothing wrong with reading pulp fiction. Good language isn’t locked up in the works of a few masters. I think a connoisseur of words (I like that phrase) would read deeply and widely. It’s more enjoyable that way too.

I suggest quality because we are all so busy it seems a shame to waste what little time we have on calories without nutrition.

[coberst]

@Old_Gobbo

Pulp Fiction is an odd example as Tarrentino is an ordinary language philosopher, if you may. He uses otherwise ordinary sounding dialogues, but in combination with other things he hints at more.

As Coberst said, you cannot grasp the depth of a concept unless you have the vocabulary and proper command of syntax, so while Pulp Fiction sounds cool, you are left wondering what it is exactly that he’s really saying.

I remember when I decided to go into writing, it was when I realized that words are the very foundation of everything. One day perhaps, I’ll become a connoisseur.

As a writer I would think you would applaud any attempt to acquaint people with the importance of reading.

[Ierrellus]

Coberst,
It’s all about putting the horse before the cart. Know thyself; then, if that knowledge in inclusive, knowing what is other is candles on the bithday cake.

[Lollipop_King]

@coberst

Wanted: Connoisseurs

Connoisseur—one who understands the details, technique, or principles of an art and is competent to act as a critical judge—one who enjoys with discrimination and appreciation of subtleties.

[b]When speaking of connoisseurs we generally think of gourmets, food, wine, wealth, gout and diabetics. I want to add something new to your connotations—I want to talk about ‘connoisseurs of words’.

To become a person who enjoys the discrimination and appreciation of the subtleties of words and thus of reality one needs to become a reader of books.[/b] Don’t run away—this may be more pleasant and less painful than you think.

To become wise of the world, to become a connoisseur of words, it is advisable to be a card carrying member of a large library. Many small city libraries do not fully qualify but most people are close to a small college that has a relatively large library. Most college libraries have a ‘Friends of the Library’ card that is available to any state citizen for a small yearly fee of like $25.

Becoming a card carrying member of the ‘connoisseur of words’ club is easy, delightful, inexpensive, and profoundly interesting; and occasionally, as Carl Sagan said, “understanding is a kind of ecstasy”.

There are other ways to discover the nature of reality beyond the superficial but reading books is one of the easiest and best, in my judgment. One cannot comprehend the depths of reality without comprehending the words that communicate that depth and one cannot comprehend the words without reading books of quality. Pulp fiction does not qualify as being books of quality.

I think there are many kinds of connoisseurs - connoisseurs of ideas and ideals and morals and emotions.

Identity is established through discrimination.
The stronger the discriminating taste the stronger the sense of identity.

The most undiscriminating mind is the one that has diluted its identity within a whole.

[OK_Computer]

It is my goal to be a connoisseur of words. I’m starting my freshman year at college this september and I’m majoring in Linguistics to start.

[Connections]

I thought you were looking for a swindler who gives massages.

[coberst]

@OK Computer

It is my goal to be a connoisseur of words. I’m starting my freshman year at college this september and I’m majoring in Linguistics to start.

I envy you your upcoming challenge.

I am a great fan of the new cognitive science as depicted in “Philosophy in the Flesh” by Lakoff and Johnson. Lakoff, I think, is offering a new paradigm for cognitive science that will significantly alter our vew of what is the nature of humans.