Friction vs. Features

Posted by Franz Grieser
Mar 29, 2023 at 10:47 AM

Paul Korm wrote:
>Depends on how one “thinks”. I mull over in my head complicated or
>confusing concepts or themes I am supposed to be writing about, often
>for weeks or months, trying to get a feeling for their geometry and
>texture, without words, sometimes with dreams, before writing. In
>fact, putting down words can prematurely stop the process and make
>continuing with thinking through a problem more difficult. Writing
>itself is friction and can force the brain to halt and abandon
>serendipity and the other pleasures of thinking.

Interesting thought.

A famous German writer, Heinrich Kleist (18th century), wrote an essay called “Über die allmähliche Verfertigung der Gedanken beim Reden“ (= “on the gradual fabrication of thoughts while talking”). For me, in fact, it’s the fabrication of thoughts while _writing_. I guess that is how many of us here “think” and consolidate thoughts.

However, Paul’s statement “putting down words can prematurely stop the process and make continuing with thinking through a problem more difficult” gets me thinking (sorry for the pun). Maybe, my habit of writing down thoughts as a means of getting them clearer, keeps me from coming up with ideas that go beyond my current horizon.

Thanks for the food for thought.