In praise of specifics

On writing courses they will teach to you, that to make writing come alive, you should write for as specific an audience and subject as possible. Write for the one-legged Eskimo about the 10.37am tea break. 

This holds for other aspects of life too.

The music goes round on radio 2 (Desmond Carrington) might be an hour of German language pop (and nothing recent either) which entertains me so much more than Absolute's focus grouped generica.

Place a personal ad for moth enthusiasts in Bolton and you'll be stepping out with a lady on Friday night. Describe yourself tall with GSOH and no-one will reply. It's not about being wacky, it's about being specific.

No football fan will watch a champions league game full of superstars if a relegation scrap between AFC Wimbledon and MK Dons is on the other side.

Specific Jim

I think there's a strong case that specifics are more interesting. Yet, there's a cautious drive that tends us to be generic. 'Thanks for your copy Mr Socks, we'll just bland it for the everyman.'

Now normally I link my observations back to a proper philosopher but I don't know of any in this case ( do let me know if you know of any). So I'll name the idea myself. I'll call it Specific Jim after my nickname for my boy who knows very precisely how things ought to be.