#1f: The power of the written word.

The written word is powerful. A blog post, strategy document, or proposal all lend their ideas more weight by virtue of being written. Writing makes ideas real, makes canonical what was previously ephemeral.

For multiple reasons, giving something a name gives its power. Something written and subsequently shared exists in the minds of many; what has made humankind successful over the centuries has been our ability to create and believe in shared myths (such as currency and country). What is a written strategy if not a shared myth?

We also ascribe great weight to the written word. Spoken words are cheap and fleeting — but what's written, we instinctively believe, is true.

Writing also establishes unambiguously a new reference point. This can be shared without loss of fidelity and so expand its influence without further effort from its author.

Related: 1, 1f1, 1f2