Easily pirated reputational symbols lose credibility through overuse

Evidence

Footnotes are traditionally the mark of a scholar. They establish the foundation on which the writer has built new ideas and qualified or replaced old ones. A dearth of footnotes may suggest that a writer is unfamiliar with the literature on the subject, is afraid that readers will be repelled by too many footnotes, or is withholding due credit, perhaps to make the work seem more original. A spate of footnotes may suggest the folly of pedantry, the inability to leave items on the cutting-room floor—or perhaps something as simple as a desultory organization. — Bryan A. Garner, Jeff Newman, Tiger Jackson, The Redbook, 247 (#exemplifies, via linked claim)

Citations often demonstrate that a proposition has been thoroughly researched or that a principle of law is heavily supported by authority. But overusing citations for no substantive legal reason merely clouds your point. And incorrect citations can impair your credibility and call an argument’s validity into question—they may even lead to sanctions. Correct citations, on the other hand, can enhance your credibility by reflecting the care and attention to detail that went into preparing the document. — Bryan A. Garner, Jeff Newman, Tiger Jackson, The Redbook, 226 (#exemplifies, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Symbols can be acquired from generic sources like advertising.; A trustworthy reputation can be exploited because it is imperfectly known; Reputation substitutes for truth in scientific and cognitive contexts (+8 more)

Related

• Footnote presence signals scholarly credibility to readers. (similarity 0.84)
• Incorrect legal citations can trigger sanctions and undermine credibility (similarity 0.79)

Broader Connections

• A trustworthy reputation can be exploited because it is imperfectly known #corroborates (0.85)
• Footnote presence signals scholarly credibility to readers. #exemplifies (0.80) — Bryan A. Garner, Jeff Newman, Tiger Jackson, The Redbook, 247
• Incorrect legal citations can trigger sanctions and undermine credibility #exemplifies (0.78) — Bryan A. Garner, Jeff Newman, Tiger Jackson, The Redbook, 226
• Mafia reputation functions as a shared trademark yielding collective benefits #complicates (0.75)
• Reputation substitutes for truth in scientific and cognitive contexts #qualifies (0.72)
• Reputation for violence substitutes for repeated actual violence #complicates (0.72)
• Distrust arises from inconsistency or symbolic discrediting of trust #corroborates (0.72)