Nutshell Nonsense

(The Editor, "Smad.")

In your issue dated April 1st, there appeared an article headed "Nutshell Knowledge," which claimed to direct feshers in matters of intellectual discussion (otherwise difined as "intensely glamorously interesting" conversation). Now, sir, while I appreciate your desire to fill your columns with readable matter, I suggest that the proposed series of articles, taking their first as a representative example will be both valueless and dangerous. I am not concerned with the presentation of other possible "intellectual" topics.

In the first place, the article is valuelessbecause it is a "nutshell" version of the subject. Though I suspect a satirical intention on the part of the writer, he must realise that it is impossible to compress an intellectural subject into the compass of an article half a column in length.

If "Smad" elects to pose as the mentor of the new student, let him first see to it that his advice is adequate. If space will not allow a more comprehensive treatment than that "Smad" might well revert to the practice of recording rather than of directing the opinions of the student body.

The article is dangerous because it does not fulfil its aim of providing adequate matter for intellectual discussion. By purporting to be complete, moreover, it could easily mislead the unsuspecting novice into an unwarranted self-confidence. In fact, the writer of the article himself, might eventuate-the emergence of more intellectual "poseurs."