On Tue, 19 May 2009 17:13:24 GMT, blake murphy
> wrote:

>On Sun, 17 May 2009 08:16:34 -0700, Mack A. Damia wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 18 May 2009 08:22:42 -0500, Melba's Jammin'
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>In article >,
>>> Mack A. Damia > wrote:
>>>(snip)
>>>> Mere lists of ingredients and steps to prepare a dish obviously cannot
>>>> be copyrighted. Don't copy the recipe word-for-word and you'll be
>>>> safe.
>>>>
>>>> Wordy recipes annoy me anyway!
>>>> --
>>>> mad
>>>
>>>If by "wordy" you mean explicitly worded, with all steps thoroughly
>>>described, IMNSHO that has to be because fewer and fewer young people
>>>are being taught basic cooking information and need detailed
>>>information. If that is not what you mean, what do you mean? :-)
>>
>> Basically, poorly written explanations (anything, really,including
>> recipes and instructions).
>>
>> For example, may websites are designed and written by "techies" and
>> not English majors; consequently, as you know - many of them can be
>> downright confusing and frustrating to navigate.
>>
>> This has been a citicism for as long as I can remember. Same thing
>> with recipes. Mainly food people write them and not "writers".
>>
>> Not all the time, of course, but I encounter confusing instructions,
>> etc. failry often. Part of the "dumbing" down of society.
>
>i wouldn't say it's the 'dumbing down of society.' writing clear, concise
>directions for anything is a difficult thing to do, and that skill is not
>very highly paid, whatever the subject.
>
>try writing directions for anything that you do without having to think
>about it much. the odds are great you will leave out something, or write
>something with a great deal of ambiguity.
>
>your pal,
>blake

It's about care and expression. Considering the mechanics of writing,
when I was taught to write, it was with pen, ink and well. We got a
piece of bloting paper, too - and woe betide you, if you dulled the
"nib" too quickly - or messed up your square of blotting paper too
quickly!

Arithmetic "sums", too. In ink.

A few raps across the knuckles, and you start being more careful? Eh?

Not suggesting that we return to those days, but it's about
"self-discipline". Kids these days don't seem to understand the
importance of speaking clearly, listening and writing concisely.
Communication skills.

Read Churchill to find out how to write. Start with simple sentences
and connect them. Gradually improve your vocabularly.

Like most things, a conscious decision has to be made and followed
through, so instill children with self-discipline.
--
mad