We now demand the light artillery of the intellect; we need the curt, the condensed, the pointed, the readily diffused -- in place of the verbose, the detailed, the voluminous, the inaccessible. On the other hand, the lightness of the artillery should not degenerate into pop-gunnery -- by which term we may designate the character of the greater portion of the newspaper press -- their sole legitimate object being the discussion of ephemeral matters in an ephemeral manner.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the need for concise and easily understandable forms of communication in contrast to long-winded and inaccessible ones. It calls for intellectual discourse that is direct and to the point, serving as a contrast to verbose and overly detailed approaches. However, it also warns against oversimplification and superficiality, particularly in reference to newspapers that often prioritize ephemeral topics and superficial discussions. The quote suggests a desire for informative and engaging discussions that strike a balance between brevity and substance.

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