∞ 6/10/2008 (10:07am) 21 notes

Reblog > lowercase vs. Uppercase.

marco:

hilker:

i don’t capitalize because there’s no reason to. grammar, schmrammar. i was an english major for two years which means i have creative license. […] also, the source css for my tumblr includes a “text-transform: lowercase” element because i like the way that it looks, having everything in lowercase. it’s an aesthetic choice that doesn’t compromise the functionality of language.

You can write however you want. I don’t care. (Also, I think your statement about having creative license because you partially completed an English degree is stupid.)

But recognize what you’re saying. All-lowercase writing expresses additional meaning that you may not intend:

  • You’re lazy.
  • You’re careless.
  • You’re uneducated.
  • You don’t care about the legibility of your text. (Your theme supports this hypothesis.)

Capital letters, punctuation, and grammar exist to help codify ideas and clarify communication. Using proper case isn’t elitist or arrogant: it shows that I care about the appearance, mechanics, and legibility of my text. I feel that choosing a highly legible font, such as 16px Georgia instead of 24px pink Comic Sans, is also important for the same reason: I care.

You’re effectively saying that you don’t.

That’s fine. You can write however you want. But don’t imply that I wrote in your style.

Notes (21)

  1. cloois reblogged this from marco and added:
    i was staying clear of this battle,...think it’s particularly interesting, or important....
  2. ronenreblogs reblogged this from marco and added:
    i agree with marco 100% ;)
  3. sds reblogged this from squashed and added:
    represented both sides well Squashed but where...posts about punctuation I hate when
  4. yuco reblogged this from marco
  5. fuckinnerd reblogged this from marco and added:
    SO CAN I TYPE LIKE THIS? IT DOESN’T COMPROMISE THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE LANGUAGE.
  6. simondodson reblogged this from marco
  7. hilker reblogged this from marco and added:
    ok, Marco, you win. kinda. i removed the text-transform element from my css out of respect for the integrity of the...
  8. socialspacestation reblogged this from marco
  9. furth reblogged this from marco
  10. squashed reblogged this from seanbest and added:
    Marco has been having a spat with the rest of the Internet over whether proper capitalization is necessary in important...
  11. jratlee reblogged this from marco and added:
    Marco.org Tumblelog: lowercase vs. Uppercase. there are two sperate but, as marco points out, related arguments going on...
  12. fairlyoddmuse reblogged this from tylerriewer and added:
    i never took a typing class in high school. slows me down to write properly…. oh and i am totally lazy.
  13. littleorphanammo reblogged this from seanbest and added:
    Woah, major grammar war going on here! Who knew? Also, I think Hilker’s initial comment about having creative license...
  14. tylerriewer reblogged this from marco and added:
    I’m in full support of Marco here. Writing in all lowercase is the equivalent of wearing your sunglasses indoors. It...
  15. seanbest reblogged this from marco and added:
    And if we are to follow...its obvious conclusion, then
  16. marco reblogged this from hilker and added:
    You can write however you want. I...care. (Also, I think your statement about having...
  17. hilker reblogged this from jaclynday and added:
    don’t capitalize because there’s no reason to. grammar, schmrammar. i was an english major
  18. jaclynday posted this