Quote by Ernest Hemingway
The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in, shockproof, shit detector.
Summary
In this quote, the term "shit detector" represents a keen sense of identifying nonsense or dishonesty in writing. The quote suggests that a crucial attribute for a skilled writer is the ability to discern truth from falsehood, detect pretentiousness or insincerity, and filter out poor quality content. It implies that writers need an innate instinct or critical thinking ability to separate valuable and authentic work from deceptive or inferior writing. This "shit detector" acts as a protective tool for producing high-quality and genuine writing.