I've read books all my life. I've read a LOT of books. I read almost compulsively.

I have great respect for writers. I have aspirations to write something of substance some day.

So the following realization borders on earth sundering sacrilege: Writers are not necessarily intelligent. I don't mean I disagree with some writer's positions or their technique. I mean some might be of average or less than average intelligence.

I always figured crafting language was, ipso facto, intelligent work. Wrong. It's a skill. Of course, a moron might have some difficulty writing a coherent piece but perhaps not as much I would like to think. (I use "moron" as defined in my dictionary: a person with the mental capacity of an 8-12 year old.)

And I don't mean to insult morons by comparing them to writers. Just so you know.