Anwar

That you have an opinion on every issue does not make it valid, timely or worthy of expression. An opinion must earn its confidence through knowledge, its relevance through context and its expression through judgment. There is intellectual humility in admitting what you do not know, emotional maturity in knowing when to speak, and wisdom in recognising that even a correct opinion need not be shared. Silence is also a considered position.

But writing can be learnt (I learn it all the time). At its most basic, it is thinking expressed in words, and the ability to articulate thoughts clearly is something ANYONE can improve with practice. (Mayhaps what you’re referring to is the capacity to think rigorously, sustain complex reasoning over time, interrogate your own assumptions and develop ideas with depth and coherence). And even there, having a natural aptitude doesn’t mean those without it cannot develop the capacity. People differ in their starting points and how easily they learn, but that doesn’t mean their abilities are fixed. In fact, writing itself is one of the ways we learn to think better. So I don’t think being naturally gifted at something is sufficient reason to conclude that others are condemned to being terrible at it.

Under my dictatorship Plantain will be free!