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Template:In writing capsule: Difference between revisions
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“[[In writing]]” means ''recorded for posterity, in words ingestable by means of the eyes, as opposed to the ears''. This is not the OED definition, I grant you — I made it up just now — but it zeroes in on the immutable fact that, whether it is on parchment, paper, cathode ray tube, LED screen or electronic reader, you take in [[in writing|writing]] by ''looking at it''. Not “[[orally]]” — from the mouth — or for that matter, “''aurally''” — through the ears — nor, in the [[JC]]’s favourite example, via semaphore — by a chap waving flags from a distant hill — but in visible sentences, made up of visual words. | “[[In writing]]” means ''recorded for posterity, in words ingestable by means of the eyes, as opposed to the ears''. This is not the OED definition, I grant you — I made it up just now — but it zeroes in on the immutable fact that, whether it is on parchment, paper, cathode ray tube, LED screen or electronic reader, you take in [[in writing|writing]] by ''looking at it''. Not “[[orally]]” — from the mouth — or for that matter, “''aurally''” — through the ears — nor, in the [[JC]]’s favourite example, via semaphore — by a chap waving flags from a distant hill — but in visible sentences, made up of visual words. | ||
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Who has not stumbled morosely into the newsagent of a Sunday morning, wordlessly pushed a copper across the counter and left with a copy of ''The Racing Post'', not having exchanged as much as a glance with the proprietor? Do we doubt for an instant that a binding contract was formed during that terse interaction? | Who has not stumbled morosely into the newsagent of a Sunday morning, wordlessly pushed a copper across the counter and left with a copy of ''The Racing Post'', not having exchanged as much as a glance with the proprietor? Do we doubt for an instant that a binding contract was formed during that terse interaction? | ||
There is, in theory, a whole ecosystem of non-verbal communications — winks, nods, wags, shaken heads, facial tics and cocked eyebrows — and nor should we forget, those who stand on distant hills and communicate by smoke signal, Greek heroes who | There is, in theory, a whole ecosystem of non-verbal communications — winks, nods, wags, shaken heads, facial tics and cocked eyebrows — and nor should we forget, those who stand on distant hills and communicate by smoke signal, Greek heroes who miscommunicate their safe return by sail colour<ref>Sail configuration can be tricky especially if you are absent-minded, however, as [[Theseus]]’ father-in-law might have told you, had he been around to do so.</ref> or modern admirals who transmit instructions to the fleet using a flag sequence. | ||
Any of these can, in theory, convey [[offer]], [[acceptance]] and [[consideration]] as well can a written or oral communication. | Any of these can, in theory, convey [[offer]], [[acceptance]] and [[consideration]] as well can a written or oral communication. | ||