User:MicrobiologyMarcus/sandbox/If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter

"If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter" is a quote often attributed to Mark Twain. Did Twain actually say this? Probably not. Does it matter? Not really.

It does, however, describe a principle on the platform where, despite there not being a deadline for articles in the mainspace conversations have a tendency to progress quickly, and editors may feel the need to raise their points quickly lest the conversation move away, or worse: someone steals your idea. These issues may be exasperated in articles that belong to Portal:Current events.

"Lack of time" disorder

Some editors may find that they suffer from experiencing a lack of time to write responses in discussions on talk pages. These users should given credit for recognizing their problem.

Other editors may not be aware that their long-winded and winding response can be difficult to parse for the top line argument and may derail a conversation, or result in their point being missed entirely

Symptoms

Identifying common symtpoms in editor's contributions or page histories can aid in diagnosing a "lack-of-time" disorder

• Frequent revisions of a comment that continuously improve the clarity of the comment after it is published. Note that sometimes each of these individual successive contributions may be marked as minor but on the whole, they add a lot more than a minor addition to the comment.
• Edit summaries of one's own replys simply stating "improved" or "clarified"

Treatment

Accute

Acute instances of "lack-of-time" disorder can be easily treated. It is possible there is another reason for editor's perceived rush and stepping away from the discussion may help clarify thoughts before publishing a longer letter.

• Take a Breather: Sometimes, the perceived urgency to respond quickly may cloud one's judgment. Editors can benefit from a momentary hiatus, stepping away from the digital arena to clear the mental fog. A brisk walk, a sip of coffee, or perhaps an impromptu interpretive dance can do wonders to reset the cognitive gears.
• Reflect and Reframe: Acute instances often stem from a distorted sense of urgency. Editors should take a moment to reflect on the conversation's trajectory and reassess the need for immediate response. Could the matter at hand be better addressed with a thoughtful pause rather than a hasty retort?
• Precision Over Prolificacy: In the realm of concise communication, less is often more. Editors should aim for surgical precision in their responses, distilling their thoughts into potent, bite-sized portions. Consider a response not as a marathon but as a series of sprinting sentences, each contributing to the overall clarity of the argument.
• Repetition for Emphasis: If brevity remains elusive, a strategic repetition of the main point becomes the editor's secret weapon. Embed the key argument not just once but twice—bookending the response for emphasis. This not only aids the reader in grasping the crux but also acts as a mnemonic for the editor, reinforcing the essence of their stance.

When faced with the acute symptoms of "lack-of-time" disorder, editors need not succumb to the perils of verbosity. A hasty retreat from the battlefield of words may be the immediate antidote, allowing one to regroup and recalibrate the mental arsenal.

Chronic

However chronic sufferers may find they need to take some steps to ensure their arguments on talk pages are clearly understood.

• At least take the time to review your comment and make sure your main point is identified at least once in your argument. If your response is long (it probably is, that's why you're here) take the time to make sure your main point is made twice, near the beginning or your comment and then again at the end once you've said what you needed to say in between.

Summary

Was this essay too long? Probably. The editor who wrote this was pressed for time. If they had more time, they might've written a more concise essay.