But the original meaning of “show, don’t tell”
Used for plays from there, on to movies. To give audience information visually rather than with words, Why? because it as more efficient it is more tacit. It is not meant to be used for novel. as its original form. BUT as a way to identify how you can convey information efficiently is still a useful tool.
why can’t you just directly tell the readers that it is night and the moon is shining?
You can, you know why? Its a
"tool", not a "rule". As people have said over and over. The value of “show, don’t tell” it weight heavier in plays, but not more so in novels.
And so far, the only people I have talked to that say “show, don’t tell” to use for novels is something glorified are people that want to argue against it by saying it is "Sacred Gospel" but is wrong, like it is some kind of great hill to die on.
It is like someone going to a ice-cream bar sees a banana split and yells out, "Fucking bananas, I fucking hate bananas, let me tell you how ice-cream should not have bananas, its a fruit".
"Dude Just don't order the banana split, you don't have to have bananas, its an ice-cream store, just eat ice-cream"
"You heard of banana smoothies, it says that it HAS to have bananas, its a RULE! Fucking fruit and dairy, it's wrong man!"
"I don't care, dude, it's an ice cream store, if a banana smoothie doesn't have bananas its... it s not a fucking banana smoothie, dude we are talking about ice cream, What the fuck? Smoothies need to add a flavor to it, its a important to add a flavor but still its not a quote/unquote, a rule."
"I want to talk to the manager! Goddam, why do they have a rule of putting fruit in my ice cream!"
"its not a rule! Just get a cone, or a cup with a single scoop!"
^ example of "show, don't tell" to explain via "indirectness" as you call it
