Orally delivered theory tends toward superficiality and uncritical habits

Evidence

It is worth observing that many of the deficiencies of the Popular Manual are connected with its “oratory”. The author refers in the preface, as if with pride, to the “spoken” origin of his work. But as Macaulay observed long ago in connection with oral discussions in Greece, it is precisely “oral demonstrations” and the mentality of orators which tend to be connected with the most incredible superficialities of logic and argumentation. In any case this does not lessen the responsibility of authors who do not revise before printing the text of lectures delivered orally often with improvisation in which a mechanical and casual association of ideas often replaces the sinew of the argument. The worst thing is when, as a result of this oratorical practice, the facile attitude of mind is consolidated and critical restraints cease to function. — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 1564

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Orally delivered arguments tend toward superficiality of logic — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 1564; Oral cultures offer a way out of the seclusion-versus-dilution binary — Édouard Glissant, Poetics of Relation, 535; Liberatory theory must be produced and shared orally as well as in writing (+6 more)
• yield-rescued: below the book’s yield-target cutoff, included anyway for connecting to: Orally delivered arguments tend toward superficiality of logic — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 1564; Oral cultures offer a way out of the seclusion-versus-dilution binary — Édouard Glissant, Poetics of Relation, 535; Liberatory theory must be produced and shared orally as well as in writing (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• True knowledge requires oral dialogue, not mere reading #complicates (0.79) — James W. Carey, Communication as Culture- Essays on…, 639
• Linguistic thoughts can be heard as sounds rather than meanings #complicates (0.71) — Pauline Oliveros, Deep Listening, 221