@nathaniel
[Updated text + fixed major spelling errors + Richard Stallman example added to the end]

Writing emails can be like posts using a "Short Version" for keywords or list at the top as a "main points / summary", and then "Long Version" after for those that want more detail for each point.

Most need a short version to encourage them and keep mental focus before any kind of "Wall of Text / Death" syndrome kicks in first (because the eyes see the mass of text and run before any understanding has taken place).

For almost all posts I use CW which uses the "Read more" button... And "Longer version" text is inside the post to include everything. So "Read more" has short version and long version with sub sections with horizontal dividers in between (to be able to see sections start / end points easily)...

Can't blame yourself for modern readers I think because in my experience and conscious observation people can't do long, almost like they lost a skill / a reading ability or whole language style.

I think it's also about how strong the reader feels inside and their own purpose / drive. It's very deep inside each person and even though aesthetically it may seem like "just text" people need confidence and their own power / will power / direction to take things and run with it no matter how long it is. Some can do it because they believe or know it takes a lifetime to filter, and some don't have such detailed life.
Many types but that above might be the binary version!

So much SMS style training in life and reduction in value for opinions in communication (in all parts of life like work, school, family etc) I think means that at some point they got stuck there in SMS (Short Message System) and are not able to do longer very often...
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Richard Stallman Example - I
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I was explaining this to Richard Stallman (who is very accessible via rms@gnu.org) and instead of 10 emails between us asking for shorter and shorter version (ignoring more than "10 sentences", he could just read the one "big" email and make best of it himself and even emotionally tie things up, That would be a more human approach. And often it was <10 sentences but he was still asking for less like a stuck computer.

I showed him how many times we emailed and how he rejected / didn't read my long bits (which he could summarise himself) and therefore didn't get long understanding. Therefore he human level of thought is measurably limited / not gained at all... (not moaning but it makes complete sense, and most things he cut out in the long means the human parts suffer on either or both sides! It's like computing with limited language length or set of syntax

And the feeling of long text can end up meaning the person feels like they "did something bad" and that's the only reason you might send something long (like bad report).
It might be "bad" to do long because of this crazy HIGH expectation to do maximum efficiency or perfection that cuts quite everyone out or doesn't even exist, and in my view shouldn't be expected from every reader AND writer especially if you want any movement to make progress with the many!!

Not moaning about Mr. Stallman here but for a human movement (not just computers) it really showed me _measurably_ how he missed the *human* part of a movement and was so circular / repetitive! I have tried more than once, I even tried sending voicemail like audio and he only did 1minute and said he didn't see the point in more!
I'm like you got the file already just leave it playing while you do something else for 10mins! (he did only 1 of 10 mins)

So even the greats can / don't want to see / deal with imperfection / enjoy / share a bit of detail or accept humanity is actually quite sincere / participatory even if imperfect / long / to be improved in skills somewhat themselves / ourselves!

#Reading #Writing #Communication = #Skill #Emotions #EmotionalIntelligence Short List vs. Longer Deeper Understanding - Details and Emotions matter in the end #RMS #RichardStallman