# Hey, \[b\]mac\_bolan00\[/b\], use the \[shift\] key.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-b-mac_bolan00-b-use-the-shift-key/604852>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [December 2, 2011, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-b-mac_bolan00-b-use-the-shift-key/604852 "2011-12-02T16:21:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-b-mac_bolan00-b-use-the-shift-key/604852/41 "2011-12-05T06:49:18Z")

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> [@shijinn](#):
>
> no, it’s just a passive-aggressive way to rebel against those who would so quickly judge a person by his cover despite the content. (no, not really, but it’s as good a reason as any. /nods )
> 
> of all the quirks to have, this has the least impact on readability. yet it is brought up rather often as an apparent means of insulting a poster. i do not know who this \*\*mac\_bolan00[Zb] is but if the best you could do is pit him on capitalisation, to this by-stander it speaks more about you then it does him.

Thanks for the reply. Quite a bit has been written about mac’s posting style: see [mac\_bolan00: racist, stupid, racist, and can’t work the shift key](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=630670). To be fair, he seems cheery\* enough above – hey we should celebrate virtue where we find it right?

I disagree with your claims about readability: I truly do find the habit to be distracting. In addition, those who choose that style of posting by necessity must deal with the presumption (reasonable, I believe) that they are morons. Such a presumption can be overcome of course. FYI only. The only conclusion I would draw on the basis of such behavior alone relates to considerateness not intelligence, at least in GQ, GD and other substantive forums.

- ETA: er, ignoring post #40.

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**Author:** ![mac\_bolan00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b3f665/32.png) [@mac\_bolan00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mac_bolan00)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-b-mac_bolan00-b-use-the-shift-key/604852/42 "2011-12-05T07:45:26Z")

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“considerateness” hmmmm…

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