Fireside Chat: Definitions Matter
I recently got a question about why I label these posts Polemics, Process, Fireside Chats. The reason i do so is twofold: one, i like to experiment with different types of writing styles. Two, it aides me to better get into a frame of mind to better organize my thoughts into what i want to write about. However, sometimes i believe that readers get my formal and informal pieces mixed up, and i was asked by someone to offer some context. The first few that i will talk about are those which i have currently written, and others are those which i will write in the future.
Fireside Chat: This is the most informal essay which i write. This is where i write about my thoughts about what’s been on my mind this week, answers to questions which readers have asked me, concerns, etc. Unless i deem it necessary, I usually won’t offer footnotes in these, as they are just my personal opinions.
Process: I can see these getting me into a little bit of trouble in the future! Slightly less informal than the Fireside Chats, the Processes are basically me explaining how i understand information and how i see the world around me through the information that i, well, processed. Though i offer much more context in these, i will include footnotes for sources which i believe would be interesting to the reader.
Polemic: Now these have DEFINATELY gotten me into trouble before, and to be honest, I’m not entirely sure why. Though true, I’ve done these on some pretty hot button topics, I believe that I’ve been fairer than most people in this category. Traditionally, a polemic is a strong stance on a controversial topic, nothing more. My version has always been formatted as follows: a general overview, the strongest pros, the strongest cons, my opinion. These pieces are heavily sourced.
The essays which i will write in the future will all be heavily sourced and are as follows:
Dialectic: Two stances on an issue are combined into one, common ground thesis.
Discourses: Expanding on previous philosophies.
Modest Proposals: In the spirit of Johnathan Swift, these will be sure-fire solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems. Of course, these will not be solutions anyone will agree to, as they will be ridiculously exaggerated to prove a point.
Economics: Essays based on ideas and issues on personal finance and macroeconomic issues.
The remaining will be based on books and on religion. From now on, i will have these definitions up before every essay.