Tuesday, November 02, 2004
I started the final tome in Neal Stephenson's "Baroque Cycle" this weekend. I came across this particularly delightful 1 part last night:
Then he got a look on his face as if he were thinking. Daniel had learned, in his almost seventy years, no to expect much of people who got such looks, because thinking really was something one ought to do all the time.I've always thought it strange and disturbing how many smart people seem to apply their intellect only to study and work and turn it off for the remaining parts of their lives, but I never expressed it so well.
1
I have found the language he uses in these books to be increasingly appealing. Indeed, for some time after reading them, my own choice of words and manner of speech is informed by a flowery and whimsical manner that I find rather entertaining, though I know not how those regard it who must endure it.