Writing Sample for writers_muses
When Watson and I first began sharing lodgings the man was quite obsessed with me. He would certainly deny it and then admit it when he believed I was out of earshot or simply by his silence. He certainly found me a curiosity at first meeting more than a potential friend. This was, of course, unsurprising to me. I am unique in many regards and he was certainly privy to all of them within the first fortnight of our acquaintance. One of these things, which he made public in the commendable but spectacular disappointment that was A Study in Scarlet is my tendency to ignore information that has no relevance to my profession. I do believe the example he gave involved the Copernican Theory and the composition of the solar system.
I confess I was, in part, having a joke at the expense of my new acquaintance. I knew he was attempting to discern my limits and I did not want him to have a solid bearing on my depths so soon. That being said there was some element of truth in the jest. It is a mistake to believe that the human brain can contain every single piece of information we come across. We would surely be mad if that were the case. Things are forgotten every day, usually the most irrelevant or oldest memories. Most humans do not put a conscious effort into this process, I do.
It cannot remember precisely the titles and authors of the yellow backed novels that Watson reads. This is not relevant to my career or my life, which are essentially one and the same. It is not relevant that I know of the philosophers, astronomy, or the daily squabbling of the men of state. They have practical relevance to me. Any knowledge I have on subjects such as these are things that have been useful in the completion of a case. I select my studies based on their use to my profession and since I have essentially created my profession it is to be expected that my studies would also be varied and practical.
My profession is brain work. My life is a constant search for stimulation of the mental variety so the things that I furnish my "little attic" with are things that will guarantee that effect. The daily blatherings of politicians and the dribblings of 'popular' writers are not conducive to this quest.
I believe at this point Watson would say that this is all a roundabout way of stating that I prefer not being bored with subjects with which I have no interest. Be that as it may I am sure that every one ignores information that is no interest to them. I am, simply, more efficient in the activity.
The Copernican Theory I do remember, however. The case of Lady Henrieta Brecken verily hinged upon it. Now THAT was a singular experience. A singular experience that I am not at liberty to divulge for another thirty years. Pity. It has many points of interest and would be a wonderful example of the art of deduction.
Challenge 69.2B: “Since we are destined to live out our lives in the prison of our minds, our one duty is to furnish it well.” - Sir Peter Ustinov
I confess I was, in part, having a joke at the expense of my new acquaintance. I knew he was attempting to discern my limits and I did not want him to have a solid bearing on my depths so soon. That being said there was some element of truth in the jest. It is a mistake to believe that the human brain can contain every single piece of information we come across. We would surely be mad if that were the case. Things are forgotten every day, usually the most irrelevant or oldest memories. Most humans do not put a conscious effort into this process, I do.
It cannot remember precisely the titles and authors of the yellow backed novels that Watson reads. This is not relevant to my career or my life, which are essentially one and the same. It is not relevant that I know of the philosophers, astronomy, or the daily squabbling of the men of state. They have practical relevance to me. Any knowledge I have on subjects such as these are things that have been useful in the completion of a case. I select my studies based on their use to my profession and since I have essentially created my profession it is to be expected that my studies would also be varied and practical.
My profession is brain work. My life is a constant search for stimulation of the mental variety so the things that I furnish my "little attic" with are things that will guarantee that effect. The daily blatherings of politicians and the dribblings of 'popular' writers are not conducive to this quest.
I believe at this point Watson would say that this is all a roundabout way of stating that I prefer not being bored with subjects with which I have no interest. Be that as it may I am sure that every one ignores information that is no interest to them. I am, simply, more efficient in the activity.
The Copernican Theory I do remember, however. The case of Lady Henrieta Brecken verily hinged upon it. Now THAT was a singular experience. A singular experience that I am not at liberty to divulge for another thirty years. Pity. It has many points of interest and would be a wonderful example of the art of deduction.
Challenge 69.2B: “Since we are destined to live out our lives in the prison of our minds, our one duty is to furnish it well.” - Sir Peter Ustinov