I like 'em thick: an apology to my English teachers (experimental-history.com)

Article summary

The article discusses the concept of 'thickness' in art and literature, referring to the depth and complexity that rewards close attention and interpretation. The author reflects on their own experience of discovering this concept through encounters with works like Hieronymous Bosch's 'The Garden of Earthly Delights'. The article identifies four 'thickening agents' that contribute to this quality: roads not taken, leaving space for the reader's interpretation, reasons and motivations behind the work, and the artist's blood sacrifice or investment. The author also explores the idea that the absence of thickness can be seen in 'thin' works that lack depth and substance.

Main themes

• thickness in art and literature
• complexity and value
• elitism and appreciation
• language and terminology
• depth and substance
• intellectual maturity and pleasure

What commenters say

• The pursuit of thickness in art and literature can be seen as a source of pleasure and intellectual maturity.
• Some argue that people over-value complexity, while others believe that complexity is a key aspect of valuable experiences.
• The concept of thickness is not limited to art and literature, but can also be applied to other fields like software engineering.
• The use of the term 'thickness' instead of 'depth' is seen as a deliberate choice that implies a sense of solidity and substance.
• The idea that the pursuit of thickness can be used to justify elitism is a concern, but others argue that appreciating thickness does not necessarily mean looking down on others.
• The article's use of the term 'thickness' is seen as a successful attempt to create a new and thought-provoking concept, while others criticize it as an unnecessary or confusing choice.
• The concept of thickness has implications for the way we approach and appreciate art, literature, and other creative works, and can be seen as a way to distinguish between works that are truly valuable and those that are superficial or lacking in substance.