Allusions in Context

Further on the idea of validation, one way to measure the validity of a work would be to become the object of allusion oneself. On some of the pages with advertisements, The Dial includes the following request: “When writing to advertisers please mention the Dial.” When a reader mentions (alludes to) the Dial, the advertiser knows his ad in that publication was profitable (worthwhile), so they renew the advertisement, which shows the magazine that readers are responding to what they’ve published. Both sides make sales: both sides are validated. Allusion has the potential to be a rather powerful force.

Further on the idea of validation, one way to measure the validity of a work would be to become the object of allusion oneself. On some of the pages with advertisements, The Dial includes the following request: “When writing to advertisers please mention the Dial.” When a reader mentions (alludes to) the Dial, the advertiser knows his ad in that publication was profitable (worthwhile), so they renew the advertisement, which shows the magazine that readers are responding to what they’ve published. Both sides make sales: both sides are validated. Allusion has the potential to be a rather powerful force.