Obscurists

Obscurists are individuals who intentionally make their work, ideas, or language difficult to understand, often employing complex vocabulary, convoluted sentence structures, and abstruse concepts. This deliberate lack of clarity can serve various purposes, including intellectual elitism, fostering exclusivity, or challenging conventional modes of thought. They might also aim to create a sense of mystery or to protect their ideas from widespread comprehension and criticism. The term often carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of straightforwardness and an avoidance of clear communication. The motivations behind such practices can be complex, ranging from genuine artistic expression to the deliberate cultivation of an air of intellectual superiority.

Obscurists meaning with examples

• The art critic accused the modern painter of being an obscurist, whose cryptic symbolism intentionally alienated the average viewer. His works are inaccessible to all but a select few who understand arcane art history. The painter’s use of obscure metaphors and a complex brush stroke only deepened this accusation, ensuring few could fathom his motivations.
• Many postmodern philosophers are labeled Obscurists for their use of complex jargon and dense prose, making their work impenetrable to those without specialized training in critical theory. The lengthy, abstract paragraphs with convoluted sentences seem designed to confuse rather than communicate.
• The political theorist was criticized as an obscurist for his impenetrable writings on complex governance. His extensive use of specialist terms, coupled with his complex philosophical arguments, were widely panned as overly abstruse and needlessly confusing by his colleagues.
• The experimental composer, an avowed obscurist, crafted music utilizing sounds with no definable melody or beat. The listener struggles to find a point to hang his attention, as the intentional dissonance aims to challenge and deconstruct traditional musical structure.
• During the literary competition, the judges derided one particular entry as being the work of an obscurist because of its intentionally cryptic plot and overly symbolic characters. They felt the story was too opaque in its intentions, hindering any potential enjoyment or interpretation.