Publishing & Media - Dr Robert N. Winter

In Defence of the Em-Dash

The em-dash has fallen under suspicion—treated as a tell-tale sign of artificial writing rather than what it has always been: a mark of care, rhythm, and thought in motion. It should return to good standing so we can recover linguistic standards we seem oddly eager to abandon.

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 6 Jan 2026

Early printed page from Shakespeare’s Othello (The Moor of Venice), showing dense blackletter text with repeated long dashes used for pauses, interruptions, and rhetorical emphasis.

Authorship in the Age of AI

In an age when machines can mimic thought, the real question is who stands behind the words. A reflection on authorship, judgement, and the human presence that gives writing its authority.

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 23 Nov 2025

Members Only

A philosopher sits by a bright window beneath a spiralling staircase, bathed in warm light, while a figure tends a small fire in the shadows of the room.

How I Publish — Version 5.0

Every platform is as much a philosophy as a technology. Version 5.0 of this platform marks my return to Ghost and the creation of two new communities—The Commons, where ideas are shared, and The Inner Circle, where they're refined and tested.

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 16 Nov 2025

No-Click Reading: How AI Summaries Starve Critical Thinking

Clicks are dying, and with them provenance, nuance, and the economics of ideas. AI digests and social updates reward skim over substance, shrinking attention to ringtone length while starving original work. I argue for friction, attribution, and long-form habits, treating summaries as aperitifs, not

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 17 Aug 2025

Members Only

Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s *Netherlandish Proverbs* (1559)—a wide village panorama crowded with dozens of tiny scenes illustr

Why Hype Erodes Communication

Hype disconnects speech from reality and shields actors from the consequences of their decisions. Hype becomes not just a linguistic trend but an institutionalised habit of avoidance. When managers are no longer accountable for what they say—because what they say has no anchor in meaning—they become

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 13 Apr 2025

Members Only

Illustration showing a corporate meeting in a modern glass-walled conference room. A visibly confused man in a suit sits at t

The Art of Not Reading

In an age of information overload, mastering the art of not reading is vital. Schopenhauer warns against indiscriminate consumption, urging deep engagement with quality works to cultivate sharper thinking, intellectual discipline, and true independence of mind.

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 16 Feb 2025

An illustration depicting a man and a woman in a classic study, surrounded by overflowing bookshelves. Both are blindfolded a

Better Writing Leads to Improved Credibility

Clear writing builds trust and credibility. Avoid jargon, clutter, and dependence on AI; focus on structure, clarity, and authentic voice. Weak writing drives weak decisions, making strong communication essential for effective leadership and sound business judgment.

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 9 Feb 2025

Members Only

An exaggerated and satirical illustration of a frantic writer, dressed in a blue coat and yellow vest, battles an enormous qu

As 'An' Historian

Modernists may disagree, but if challenged by these dangerous revolutionaries, refer them to the below and the glorious roots of our language.

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 16 Dec 2022

How I Write—Long Form Research

From time to time, I contemplate how I publish. Mostly because I like 'the elegance of a refined workflow'.

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 5 Feb 2022

Members Only

How I Publish — Version 4.0

A few months back I gave a short sketch of how I publish online. But today is back to the future as I return to WordPress.

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 12 Aug 2020

Printer working an early Gutenberg letterpress from the 15th century

100 Days of Muse & Reason

Well, I have reached the end of the 100daystooffload.com challenge and the numbers are as follows: * 100 posts in 100 Days * 44,752 words * 15 Major Topics * Most prolific

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 10 Aug 2020

Why I write, Goethe in the Roman Campagna

How I Publish — Version 3.0

Avid readers, and those who accidentally stumbled in searching for something else, will have seen deliberations on whether or not to switch platforms.

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 1 Jul 2020