Quick rant:

Clarity of writing should not be mistaken for simplicity of the ideas being expressed through the writing. It takes a LOT of work to explain difficult topics clearly and concisely, and I think that extra work should (ideally) be rewarded or encouraged in academic publishing as well.

Unfortunately, obtuse, clunky, and unclear writing is common in modern scientific literature. I'm at least partially convinced it's used as both a shibboleth, and to make sub-par ideas look better in a manner similar to "putting lipstick on a pig".

Don't get me wrong; precise, well-reasoned writing is absolutely critical. But precision does not necessitate prose that beats you with passive voice, nested appositive phrases with no delimiter differentiation, and frankly disgusting style.

As an added benefit, you may be able to increase popular scientific literacy of your field if you manage to write your papers in a way that doesn't require a master's degree in linguistics with a focus on cuneiform and Latin to parse.

Related comic:
phdcomics.com/comics/archive.p

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@trinsec At least if I'm crazy, I'm in good company ;)

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