Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with essays

What are the world's best essays?

Lifeson — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:00:37 -0800

Inspired by Ask MeFi's most popular thread ever, what are the best essays you can recommend? I'm looking for a list of seminal essays, like George Orwell's "Politics and the English Language," or Garrett Hardin's "Tragedy of the Commons" that are essential reading for their respective fields. I don't really care about the field, as I'm trying to diversify my reading habits, and finding the most exciting ideas from a wide number of fields, or some of the biggest ideas that have spread their influence across disciplines seems like a good way to reinvigorate my learning. Imagine if the TED Talks produced an anthology of classic essays. Essays like Quine's "Two Dogmas of Empiricism," that are popular within the discipline but are less well-known outside the field are also welcome.

I'm looking for shorter pieces, though there are some short books / long essays like Machiavelli's "The Prince" or Hayek's "Road to Serfdom" that split the difference between the popular MeFi thread and this question. Longer suggestions are also welcome, but I'd like this to be a list of places where people can get excited about new fields.

What are the great foundational essays about the web?

dbarefoot — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:02:52 -0800

What are the great foundational essays about the web? Big picture essays that can help Normal Humans understand the profound impact that the web is having on community, commerce, communications and so many other parts of our lives. My friend and I are constantly recommending the same foundational essays--"1000 True Fans", "The Next Economy of Ideas" and so forth--to clients, colleagues, students and so forth. We thought we'd compile these into a book--a toolkit for getting the web. Assuming we can secure author permissions, we'll publish an ebook and maybe a hardcopy version, donating any profits to the EFF. For now, we're looking for recommendations for your favorite essays about the web.

Can you help me find this essay?

codacorolla — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:18:01 -0800

I'm looking for a World War 2 essay that may be titled "Missing the War", which is about the difference in perception between how the Second World War was portrayed in the media and how it was for the soldiers involved. I remember reading it in a best-of essay collection that might've been published in 2006 or 2007. Google searching for that title doesn't bring up anything similar. It's a really great essay, and probably some of the best war writing I've ever read.

Looking for book

kemah201 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:30:21 -0800

I am looking for a book that was used as a textbook for an english composition course at Northeastern University in 1999. The book was a compilation of nature essays including Kerouac. I believe the professor was an adjunct at the time who used the book.

NSF GRFP Proposal

Aanidaani — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:02:58 -0800

Where can I find examples of science/engineering research proposals for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program? I'm currently applying for the NSF GRFP and I'd like some examples of how a research proposal should look for the application. I've written a number of grant proposals for my thesis project already, so I'd like to take those and modify them to fit this application.

Short passages of particularly strong or weak nonfiction prose?

cymru_j — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 08:04:34 -0800

In search of short passages of especially strong or weak nonfiction prose! I’m hoping to build a composition class around short examples of effective and in effective writing. I'm thinking of passages of about 1-6 sentences.

We'll look at excerpted passages as a class and analyze what makes them more or less effective. Maybe we'll even try rewriting them in various ways to note the effect.

Passages from well-loved (or well-hated) prose stylists are very welcome, but bonus points for writing whose quality seems surprising or out of context, i.e. poor writing where one might expect strong (from a respected magazine, author, columnist) or good prose that pops up in off-beat venues (blogs, advertising copy, tabloids, etc.).

Any comments on why said prose is effective or ineffective are also welcome.

Thanks very much, guys!

Good travel or expat writing

AceRock — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:15:41 -0800

What are your favorite essays about traveling or living abroad? I am putting together a book as a gift for a friend who is going abroad. What are your favorite essays about traveling or living abroad? Particularly essays with a philosophical or intellectual component. Bonus points if they can be found online. Here is the piece I'm using for the intro.

Give me something new in the middle of the road.

Cool Papa Bell — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:27:36 -0800

I need new Web sites to replace my old ones. Here's a few things in my favorites:

CNN
MSNBC
Slate
The New York Times
Boing Boing
The L.A. Times
Salon

They all seem to take up a specific niche in my media window (general news, essays and articles).

I want to replace these sites listed above with something else. For example, is there a mainstream news site as good as CNN and MSNBC for general news? Is there a daily magazine site as good as Slate?

I'm not interested in scattershot aggregators like Digg, Reddit or Google News. Nor am I interested in axe-to-grind sites like Fox News.

Make with the suggestions.

Here is New York. Where is Everywhere Else?

theoddball — Fri, 01 May 2009 10:41:05 -0800

I've been reading a collection of E.B. White's essays lately and stumbled across the wonderful "Here Is New York," wherein he tries to capture his city in print. I'm looking for similar odes to / summations of other places (preferably of essay-ish length.) White's essay is a meditation on the city around him, an attempt to sum up this rather remarkable experience -- the atmosphere, people, essence of the place. He talks about geography, about history, but mostly about the subjective feel of New York.

And that's really what I'm looking for -- pieces from writers who know their city and put that essence across.

Thanks, all you literary Mefites!

Author interviews

Dumsnill — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 15:54:09 -0800

What is the best author interview you have found? I don't care about any particular genre, all I care about is: Do you have a favorite author? If yes: Do you have a favorite interview with that person? If so, can you give me a link?

If this is too chatfiltery, remove.

Hacker Essays

MotorNeuron — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:46:43 -0800

Do you know of any more essays like Hackers, In the Beginning Was the Command Line, or the DadHacker Atari Articles?

All her own work?

cincinnatus c — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:20:59 -0800

I seem to remember a question from someone who wanted to take a job writing essays for cash-rich brain-poor students, though I cannot find it, where many of the answers expressed concern at the dubious ethics involved. My question is, to what extent are proofreading/editing services for students of ethical concern? To what extent are they permitted by universities. Where is the line drawn? I am currently helping to edit an essay for a friend of mine. She has had a desperate time lately (outside of university) and I am trying to help her not fall apart through getting thrown off her course. If what I am doing is unethical or breaches academic regulations, I am unrepentant, because my care for this friend outweighs these things, but still I am curious to know.

What I am doing is much more than proofreading. English is not her first language, and much of the essay has been written in a state of extreme anxiety. To be honest, at first glance a lot of it looked like pure gibberish, until I worked hard to decipher what she meant. I often work as a proofreader and editor, but I am doing more here than I would normally expect to, and rewriting substantial passages. Because of my work, she will certainly receive a far higher mark than if she had done it completely alone.

However, I have not introduced a single idea into the essay that was not hers. I have not even changed much in the way of technical language/jargon (the essay is for a social science). What I am mostly doing is fixing seriously flawed sentence construction and introducing some fluency to her arguments by adding linking sentences.

My question is, is this acceptable? The university she attends has a page on its website with a list of local proofreading services, so obviously it is acceptable to some extent. But what is that extent?

Does it make a difference that I am physically working on her essay with my own fingers inside a Word document? I wouldn't even consider this question if she were the one at the computer, with me elsewhere in the room, and she asked, "How would you put this?" But that distinction seems absurd. Similarly, if we discussed what she was doing over coffee, and I suggested ideas and approaches that she later used, I would consider that completely fair.

So what would generally be considered to be the ethical and academic guidelines for this kind of thing?

Help me become a man of letters.

ilike — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:16:57 -0800

Looking for older but well written essays that are available online at project gutenberg or other source. The style might be humorous or very serious. I am to some extent familiar with the shorter writings of J K Jerome and Bertrand Russel and looking for more in a similar vein. Thing that I like are especially reflections on everyday life, basicly the blogging of the 19th century.

Stumped on Essay

tessalations999 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:59:55 -0800

What should i write about for an admissions essay? I am applying to Business school, and one of the essays is "describe your greatest passion."
Should i write about a concrete activity, or is it ok to write a more abstract essay? If i answer the question truthfully, it will be more abstract, kind of tying together all the activities that i am passionate about. But i feel like they want something more concrete. I am just not sure what exactly they are asking. Any advice?

Thank you so much!

I Like To Read Things

turgid dahlia — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:21:50 -0800

What are some of your absolute favourite online essays, articles and other pieces of non-fiction writing? Pursuant to this post and the excellent linked essay, I have found my appetite whetted for some more fine pieces of journalism, reportage, history, criticism, review, everything and anything. I have trawled the online archives of The Atlantic and The New Yorker because I love to have something fresh and interesting to print out and read on my lunch break.

Basically I'm after singular examples of quality online writing (no fiction, thanks, I have more than enough of that), not necessarily for the beauty of the prose or even for the content of the story - I just want one of those (preferably big) articles you can't stop reading, and at the end you want to show it to everybody you know because it's just so amazing, and you wish you had read it sooner.

For reference, one of my favourites is the wonderful B.R. Myer's piece A Reader's Manifesto, from The Atlantic Monthly.

First AskMe, please be gentle.

Help me overthink sex and romance.

bubukaba — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:35:49 -0800

What are some good books/essays/articles about human sexuality, sexual and romantic relationships, and sexual or otherwise affection-entangled activity - with an emphasis on the theoretical? I'm thinking more along the lines of Judith Butler than The Joy of Sex - so suggestions should be at least vaguely academic. (Things like Leaves of Grass count as vaguely academic). I'm asking for personal, not academic reasons - I'd like all the seemingly irrational stuff surrounding the emotional, social, psychological (and so on) aspects of this sort of thing to make more sense to me (or at least I'd like the fact that they're irrational to make more sense...).

In spite of my namedropping in the above-cut FPP, I haven't read much on these subjects, so even the most basic suggestions are welcome.

Less is More Essays

GregX3 — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:11:52 -0800

I'm having trouble explaining the "less is more" philosophy in web application design. What are the most persuasive essays on the subject which I could refer people to? What are the best blog posts, essays, etc to read for someone not familiar with the concept that having less features actually makes a better product sometimes.

How do I physically write faster?

ajp — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:38:57 -0800

How do I physically write faster? Does anyone have any tips for how to physically write faster? So far I've been advised to try using soft pencils on good paper, but I'd be interested in other suggestions. I'd also like to reduce my chances of developing tendon irritation from all the repetitive movement of writing. I sit exams regularly, and need to write continuously and legibly for between 1 and 2 hours. This is currently killing my thumb.

I've trawled the net of course, but all my search terms seem to hit pages more targetted at approaches to creative writing.

* Are there any guidelines for how to write clearly and avoid strain injury?

* What is the perfect writing implement, given the requirements of speed and pain-avoidance? Oh, and relatively low cost :-)

* Hand-writing guides. Is there an optimum style? I suspect that "cursive" or "Nelson" handwriting is best. Are there any figures to back this up? I'm willing to put in the time required to adapt my writing style if it will pay off.

Things I am not concerned about:

* Creativity, style, etc. This is about the physical aspects of writing, not the cerebral.

* Being more concise in my essay responses. Good advice, but already taken. I'm aiming for maximum output with minimal physical effort.

* Shorthand. The writing has to be easily and clearly comprehensible by any English speaker.

Other salient points:

* I'm considering asking for extra time in the exams so I can minimise the pain.

* Exams have to be written in ink, and anything that smudges easily is likely to be out. I'd like to try a fountain pen, since I believe the nib would morph with age to complement my writing style; but I think the smudge factor rules them out.

* Anecdote is great, evidence is better!

Much obliged.

Which essay does David Foster Wallace mean?

rjacobs — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:51:27 -0800

To which essay is David Foster Wallace referring in his final footnote in the introduction to "Best American Essays 2007?" The footnote reads "You probably know which essay I’m referring to, assuming you’re reading this guest intro last as is SOP. If you’re not, and so don’t, then you have a brutal little treat in store." The footnote refers to an essay about "the revelation that most of what you’ve believed and revered turns out to be self-indulgent crap."

Anyone who has read the book, do you know which essay this is?

A Metafilter for essays?

goodnewsfortheinsane — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 14:23:16 -0800

A site where people write essays on a wide range of topics. Sort of like Metafilter, but less about the links and more about quality opiniated writing. Does any such site exist ? If not, let's make one. :)

Essays for Engineers

washburn — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 16:13:15 -0800

What readings would you recommend for a freshman composition class for Engineers? These readings shouldn't be too long, and should be accessible to any non-engineers who end up in the class (in fact, it's not strictly necessary that course readings concern engineering at all). The class isn't about business communication or technical writing, but is more an introduction to writing the "college essay," with a bit of engineering spin to keep things interesting for the technically inclined.

I'm happy with my syllabus already, yet I can't help but query the hive mind: What are some readings you think would generate interesting discussion and written work? Suggested readings that concern the social dimensions of engineering and design would be especially welcome.

Who are the great essayists of our time?

shivohum — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 22:08:42 -0800

Who are the most insightful essayists of our time--not necessarily brilliant academics, but razor-sharp, profound, generalist thinkers and writers on society? Who are our present-day Toquevilles and Twains, our Bacons and Emersons?

Who else writes the kind of essays that David Foster Wallace writes?

scarylarry — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 05:42:55 -0800

I really like the essays that David Foster Wallace collects in _A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again_ and _Consider the Lobster_. Which essayists take a similar approach? I've just read and thoroughly enjoyed DFW's two collections of essays/reviews (in fact, I liked them better than I've liked his fiction). I find thrilling the way he combines esoteric and hyperintellectual meditation/contemplation, travelogue, personal anecdote, and hilarious self-depricatory wit. I'm well-read in fiction, but haven't done much essay reading outside of an academic context. What other collections (or individual essays) might I enjoy? On KCRW's Bookworm, Wallace was compared to Thurber, who I've put on my reading list. Who else? Thanks!

Help me! I need a fix!

Evangeline — Sat, 01 Oct 2005 13:52:15 -0800

I'd like to recreate the thrill I used to get reading NON-fiction articles in the pre-Tina Brown "New Yorker" (yeah, I know she's no longer the editor, but I can still smell her when I get too close to a current issue), and I'm wondering if I can do it online by following a group of literate blogs (or other online resources?). I DON'T want to read anything topical.

I DON'T want to read anything political.

I want well-written, personal essays on obscure topics. (I've taken to reading random pages of Wikipedia, but it's a bit to scematic for my tastes.)

When Tina Brown took over the "New Yorker," she scoffed at the articles that the magazine used to publish, citing one on zinc as a laughably obscure example. Well, I read that article on zinc and LIKED it.

I liked the fact that the NYer writing was SO good that I could pick it up and read an article at random -- an article on a subject that didn't even interest me -- and the writer would draw me in.

The closest I've ever found online was Openletters.net. Unfortunately it's been dead for years. I also like "This American Life" when they're straying from the political/topical. But I want something I can read -- not listen to. Help!

Any academic-type literature on furry fandom?

monsterhero — Tue, 13 Sep 2005 01:55:03 -0800

Has there been any serious evaluation of the psychology and sociology behind furry fandom? Or is it usually only mentioned as a subgroup of fandoms in general?