‹ BackHN Continuity

Thread

The Legend of von Neumann (1973) [pdf]

311 points · 186 comments · suopspaces

  1. simianwords · · focus · HN ↗
    OT: I found this style of writing extremely clear and readable. I wonder what is different about this author’s writing. There is zero pretension and just exists to impart information. But if that’s the case why do I hate the writing in Wikipedia?
    1. gjm11 · · focus · HN ↗
      Because Paul Halmos was an exceptionally good writer. (I greatly enjoyed his &quot;automathography&quot; called &quot;I want to be a mathematician&quot;, though it will probably appeal significantly less to people who aren&#x27;t mathematicians themselves. See also his article &quot;How to write mathematics&quot; at <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.math.toronto.edu&#x2F;mgsa&#x2F;assets&#x2F;teaching-seminar&#x2F;how-to-write-mathematics-halmos.pdf" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.math.toronto.edu&#x2F;mgsa&#x2F;assets&#x2F;teaching-seminar&#x2F;ho....)

      The average Wikipedia contributor (even ignoring the possibility that they might be a robot) is not an exceptionally good writer, because very few people are exceptionally good writers, because that&#x27;s what &quot;exceptionally&quot; means.

Open on Hacker News to reply ↗

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.