Yes, Dwight,
I think you're right in your analysis. It dissociates the author from the assertion they make. It offers a spurious sense of objectivity.
But I'm becoming concerned about ' gifting'.
Does that mean that a ' gifted'musician is one who's been given away?
Alan
ps..decades ago I was a working musician. I once saw a write up in Scottish local paper describing my performance using the ( presumably) flattering phrase...." The rare talent of Al Griffin"
Did that mean I was a good player, or merely that most of my performances were without talent?
Al
