According to LessWrong, Wikipedia reads distinctly different depending on language. French Wikipedia exhibits what the author calls 'listening to oneself'—writers subtly highlight their thinking process rather than just conveying information, engaging in what the essay terms pseudo-dialogues. The analysis uses mathematician Grothendieck's metaphors as a case study: by saying 'water, simply, why not?' instead of just 'water,' he's essentially applauding his own choices to the audience. It's erudite self-admiration masquerading as exposition—and possibly more prevalent in French Wikipedia than other language editions.

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