> Intelligent people

This point is worth elaborating.

Select on more than "intelligence". Plenty of intelligent people write complete rot.

Trust your feelings [0] and feed your hunger for satisfaction from reading. "AI" slop, formulaic performance language like overly academic, too-perfectly structured, or corporate tripe, likewise bleeds into and corrupts your soul. Good writing makes effortless reading and the words pull you along with delight, If not, stop.

[0] we actually read many lines ahead of where our eyes scan, so long before the words are internally "verbalised" you'll get a feeling about it. Pay attention to that.

> pay attention to how intelligent people express themselves with words.

Do you consciously do this? I listen to podcasts in a very passive way.

> Do you consciously do this? I listen to podcasts in a very passive way.

This caught my eye. What does it mean to listen 'passively'? Meaning it's just 'on' in the background? I.e., you're not paying attention to the content? If so then it would seem you're not interested in hearing what the speakers have to say, which then begs the question of why 'listen' to podcasts in the first place?

same reason i watch steven seagal movies.

No, I don't. But you still notice how they express themselves or describe certain events.