I found yesterday’s version better, because I think that what Eliezer refers to as “flashes of eloquence” in the earlier essay sound affected.
Talking about wisdom doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to adopt the speech patterns of your model of a Wise Person.
I find the 2009 version more eloquent, for the lack of misplaced poetic flourish. In most contexts, using practically defunct words like “ofttimes” will make people think not “how poetic,” but “why is this person trying so hard to be poetic?”
This version would, though?
I found yesterday’s version better, because I think that what Eliezer refers to as “flashes of eloquence” in the earlier essay sound affected.
Talking about wisdom doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to adopt the speech patterns of your model of a Wise Person.
I find the 2009 version more eloquent, for the lack of misplaced poetic flourish. In most contexts, using practically defunct words like “ofttimes” will make people think not “how poetic,” but “why is this person trying so hard to be poetic?”