--- On Fri, 14/5/10, Deepa Mohan <[email protected]> wrote: From: Deepa Mohan <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [silk] Writing with the pack To: [email protected] Date: Friday, 14 May, 2010, 0:26
On Fri, May 14, 2010 at 12:06 AM, Indrajit Gupta <[email protected]> wrote: >>That's why I think you were being unfair, because the general theme of >>>>these was information for the person planning an evening out, not a >>>>belles lettres piece a la NYT. >Yes. I think reviews are of two types, one where the reviewed >>play/movie>restaurant is in the foreground, and the other....where the >>reviewer is. We get to know a lot about the reviewer's knowledge and >>experience and hir superiority as a reviewer....so often, this view >comes >across as patronizing and condescending. I don't like such >reviews and tend >not to take their recommendations. When I feel that >the Emperor isn't wearing >any clothes, and the reviewer talks about the >superfine material... > > >I also think that reading many reviews would give one a more balanced >idea >than reading one review on its own. > >Speaking of patronizing and condescending... we are having a discussion >on >the difference in meaning between those two words, that are often >used >interchangeably... what do you think is the difference? > > >Even the definition of each word uses the other: > >con·de·scend·ing /ˌkɒndəˈsɛndɪŋ/ Show Spelled[kon-duh-sen-ding] Show >IPA > –adjectiveshowing or implying a usually patronizing descent from > dignity or superiority: They resented the >older neighbors' condescending cordiality. > > >pa·tron·ize (ptr-nz, ptr-) >tr.v. pa·tron·ized, >pa·tron·izW condescending manner. > >Deepa. For myself, I use them interchangeably, so I can't really distinguish between the two. Pressed hard and driven into a corner, I'd say condescending when there is no intention to engage with the other, patronising when there is an element of participation as well. " 'Your card tricks are quite clever,' he said, his voice filled with condescension,'I suppose you have a talent in that direction?'" " 'Your card tricks are quite clever,' she said, in an enfuriating patronising tone,'Perhaps I can let you perform for my guests at my next dinner party.'"
