# Content and Style By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2025-02-22 Writing is often assessed in terms of content and style. This directs attention to the topic explored and the quality with which it was explained. There is value in using these elements to evaluate both one’s thinking and writing. What should one focus on? What is the quality of one’s thinking? If one were to assess these elements objectively, it’s likely that most people’s thinking would fall short. A great deal of attention is given to trivial matters. This is not to say that people aren’t passionate about their interests; many are. The point is that thinking about certain things provides no tangible benefit beyond personal entertainment. A common piece of advice given to college students is to never major in minor things. If one is going to put in the effort to think, it would be beneficial for the subject being evaluated to have some sort of extrinsic benefit. Additionally, it is useful to consider how one thinks. Often, thinking unfolds randomly, and there is little rigor in the approach taken. There is almost never a goal associated with one’s thoughts. One should question why thinking, within a given context, is valued. A pessimist might conclude that people seldom think, and when they do, it’s as if they don't. When thinking is examined, it is typically from an individualistic perspective, which is too narrow. Our thinking is a social concern. What we think about and how we think ripple out from individual minds and shape and constrain the social space we inhabit. If we want a new, progressive society, we must first envision it. The French student protests of May 1968 employed the slogan, “Be realistic, demand the impossible!” as we should now. Let’s examine the content and style of our thinking to demand the impossible for the advancement of our society. #### Related Items [[Thinking]] [[Content]] [[Style]] [[Society]] [[Progress]]