: Re: Does this passage convey an appropriate mix of seriousness and levity? The following is a standalone passage from a collection meant to deal with topics of psychology, philosophy and self-help.

@Cofer669

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It is gentle humor. The fact that the tone is lighter-hearted does NOT detract at all. What DOES detract is the lengthiness. If the passage above were half the length that it is now, it would get the point across quite effectively.

The recursive business, about the Oracle of Oracles becomes belabored when so drawn out. Otherwise, it is a good way of demonstrating the point i.e. by asking another who also asks another, and only feels there is validity if advice comes from an external source, despite knowing the truth of it, rationally, on one's own already.

Alternating serious passages with slightly quirky ones like this seems quite acceptable, probably even good. Just remember to keep these sections brief. I read a quantitative finance book recently. It was targeted toward leisure readers, with an interest in the field. Unfortunately, there were SO many digressions that tried to illustrate concepts, particularly from the author's own life! Most weren't interesting at any greater length than a few sentences (but were drawn out into several pages). It was boring! That's why I suggest brief but frequent use of these sort of passages.

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