# Stupid details and the brain farts who point them out. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 25, 2000, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830 "2000-07-25T20:14:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![tcburnett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@tcburnett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tcburnett)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830/41 "2000-07-26T06:12:44Z")
Thank God that I have never did anything or said something else that might have been constricted as a grammatical problem or a spelling mistake that I haven’t made any of either or pepperland girl would probably of bit a shtick. accept we know you dint meen it ---
**Author:** ![JDeMobray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@JDeMobray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JDeMobray)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830/42 "2000-07-26T06:14:00Z")
One. . . two . . . three. . . (And so on) I’m not very nitpicky, since that would take actual effort (something I’m unwilling to expend on a message board [no offense to anyone here]), but let me just say to the original poster: YOU ARE SOOO TOTALLY WRONG!!! There absolutely needs to be an absolute right and wrong with spelling and grammar. As much as I know we all long for the days of expressing ourselves in grunts, clicks, and whistles, unfortunately times have changed and the modern world requires a universal set of measures for EVERYTHING, language included. (See also Lander, Mars) ---
**Author:** ![FreakFreely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/48db29/32.png) [@FreakFreely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FreakFreely)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830/43 "2000-07-26T06:24:53Z")
JDM, bullshit. Think about it this way, there’s other languages out there, are they wrong because they don’t use proper english? Obviously, any language has some rules. But, the mistake is in thinking that those rules are all-encompassing. These rules help people to understand each other, but that doesn’t mean someone is wrong for not going by your rules. ---
**Author:** ![Myrr21](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Myrr21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myrr21)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830/44 "2000-07-26T06:50:04Z")
Interestingly enough, many of the greatest works in the English language were created before the advent of standardized spelling and grammar. Huh. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830/45 "2000-07-26T07:37:05Z")
I actually have one request for some of the posters in this thread. It’s called punctuation. Periods go at the end of complete thoughts. Proper pronouns should be capatilized. Such as “I” or a name. Apostrophes ARE important, especially when used correctly. it’s=it is its=possesive it. “Its toy is brown” These are small things, but without them, posts look like this. i cant believe it’s going to rain today i really like the sun it’s rays are bright and glorious i think the rain is alway depressing its so grey Does that make sense? No. I have seen this repeatedly in posts. Please, take the extra few seconds and just do it right, otherwise other posters might completely ignore you, even if you have something intelligent to say. ---
**Author:** ![JDeMobray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@JDeMobray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JDeMobray)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830/46 "2000-07-26T07:46:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FreakFreely \* > \*\*JDM, bullshit. Think about it this way, there’s other languages out there, are they wrong because they don’t use proper english? Obviously, any language has some rules. But, the mistake is in thinking that those rules are all-encompassing. These rules help people to understand each other, but that doesn’t mean someone is wrong for not going by your rules. \*\* Not neccesarily, as long as it follows it’s own set of rules I have no problem with other languages. Just don’t try to pass them off as English. Those rules, for that language, ARE all encompassing. I’m pretty sure (and [dictionary.com](http://dictionary.com) backs me up: lan·guage (lnggwj) n. Abbr. lang. The use by human beings of voice sounds, and often written symbols representing these sounds, in organized combinations and patterns in order to express and communicate thoughts and feelings. A system of words formed from such combinations and patterns, used by the people of a particular country or by a group of people with a shared history or set of traditions.) that what you have without an ordered set of rules, doesn’t really qualify as a language. And, yes I’ll try to cut down on the obligatory parenthetical refrences. (But not very hard 😃 ) ---
**Author:** ![Soda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Soda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soda)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830/47 "2000-07-26T08:11:20Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by lolagranola \* > It is so nice to be able to point out that, no, they didn’t know the quote, and maybe they should look up pronounciation and meaning before trying to impress me with their vocabulary._\* It’s _pronunciation_. Maybe _you_ should check your spelling before telling others how nice it is to point out other people’s mistakes. This is the first and last time I comment on someone else’s writing, and I just couldn’t resist. It was just too damn _nice_ to let go. ---
**Author:** ![FreakFreely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/48db29/32.png) [@FreakFreely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FreakFreely)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830/48 "2000-07-26T08:40:00Z")
All I’m saying is this, if someone speaks differently than you, that’s no reason to criticize them. ---
**Author:** ![JDeMobray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@JDeMobray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JDeMobray)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830/49 "2000-07-26T08:43:53Z")
No indeed, but unless you’re using voice recognition software (or even if you are) writing is judged by different standards than speech. If someone writes differently than you do, while claiming to be using your language, one of you is provably wrong. ---
**Author:** ![FreakFreely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/48db29/32.png) [@FreakFreely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FreakFreely)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830/50 "2000-07-26T08:45:04Z")
> [@](#): > > Apostrophes ARE important, especially when used correctly. They’rw not important to me. I mean, I use them correctly, but what’s so wrong with skipping them? It makes it harder for me to understand him, but it doesn’t make him wrong. And it doesn’t make his style of talking wrong. > [@](#): > > i cant believe it’s going to rain today i really like the sun it’s rays are bright and glorious i think the rain is alway depressing its so grey > > Does that make sense? No. Actually, it does. To me at least. Is it pretty? No. Does it read well? No. But that doesn’t make it wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Byzantine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@Byzantine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Byzantine)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830/51 "2000-07-26T09:03:39Z")
SanibelMan – just because I “have time” to be a nit picky bitch doesn’t mean I don’t have a life. I do. More often than not I’m out of the loop on this board because I’m off, living my life. However, when I am here, I’m persnickety about things. It’s not that I don’t have a life it’s because in the other part of my life, I’m a writer. Because of this, I can get down right… Byzantine… about words. It’s not like I have to go and look these things up. They jump out and practically smack me in the face! Now, I’m not saying you are like me. For the most part, I doubt anyone notices the bulk of the misspellings or other problems I do. But I have to be true to me. I do notice. But I also write for a living. And some word uses or abuses just grate on me like nails on a chalk board. I can’t shut that off anymore than you could shut off that your homework is calling. It’s not that I make time to be the “spelling Nazi” it’s just a part of me due to my work. I just can’t help it anymore than I can help the fact that I’m tall! I would say I’m sorry but I’m not. It’s just me and for the most part, I’m fairly laid back in my “pointing out the fact that you are wrong”. I only do it to tweak or to really fuck with someone I don’t like. ---
**Author:** ![FreakFreely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/48db29/32.png) [@FreakFreely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FreakFreely)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830/52 "2000-07-26T09:18:00Z")
Byz, I’m hoping to become a writer myself. Do you think you could email me with some tips some time? ---
**Author:** ![Byzantine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@Byzantine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Byzantine)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830/53 "2000-07-26T09:29:53Z")
Your first tip would be to stop trying to piss me off in other threads. 😉 Your second tip would be: write, write, write. Anything, everything. Write what is in your heart. Don’t even try to write for a market. Write what you think and feel. Once you are done, then find a market for it. If there is no market at the time, put it away and write, write, write some more. Lather, rinse, repeat. This sounds silly and trite but that is the formula for success. Write what you feel. Don’t write what you think is “marketable” because if you don’t feel it, you won’t be able to carry it off. Don’t get into the idea that writing “this kind of novel” is easier than any other. It’s not. Writing any novel is difficult. Write what you are and what you can carry. Then find the market. Okay, so, now, stop trying to bait me into fighting with you. You are just being silly and I don’t want to hurt that nice little cluster of yours! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![FreakFreely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/48db29/32.png) [@FreakFreely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FreakFreely)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830/54 "2000-07-26T09:48:34Z")
Well, I guess what I’m really asking is, how do I find a market for it? How do I get it published? It’s not the writing I have a problem with, I’m da bomb writer. I’m just having a hard time getting anywhere with it. Did you start out writing short stories? Articles? Or did you just dive in feet first? And I’m not baiting you, I don’t pick fights. I don’t need to. The fights pick me. And if you’re talking about me flirting with you, I’m sorry but, how can I resist? BTW, cluster? Huh? Zebwuh? ---
**Author:** ![Byzantine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@Byzantine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Byzantine)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830/55 "2000-07-26T10:43:07Z")
You find a market by searching the net or getting a hold of the “Writer’s Market” guide. I started out writing horrible, teenaged angst riddled poetry. It’s hideous. It’s never seen the light of day. I then wrote short stories and then moved on to my grand passion, novels. I do love the short story form but my forte is novels. I want to tell you a story, but it’s going to take a while, sit down. That is my passion and my strength. It may not be yours. And I think at times you are baiting me. It’s a very dangerous form of flirting, like cuddling up to a black widow spider, but you can call it flirting if it makes you feel better. Cluster? That’s a batch, your package, your area. You know, family jewels. Sheesh! And you want to be a writer! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Minxsmom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@Minxsmom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minxsmom)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830/56 "2000-07-26T20:22:16Z")
[QUOTE] Lexicon challanged: \*\*Hey! I asked to steal it first! I have dibs! I’ll arm-wrestle you for it! \*\* Arm wrestle? I’m a _girl_. Why not just get it over with and challenge me to a distance peeing contest? How about something a little bit more fair, like darts or pool or pistols at ten paces? Or, we could share - I’ll give you Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and I’ll take Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday - we can alternate Sundays 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Lexicon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ac8455/32.png) [@Lexicon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lexicon)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830/57 "2000-07-26T21:40:09Z")
Allright minxsmom, you can have it Tues, Thurs, Sat and Sunday. In exchange, I’ll take Mon, Weds, and Fri, fair enough? And Pepper, you know I love you, buy if you’re goin’ ta post grammatical rules and act all stuck up in pointing out where others are wrong, you should yourself be right. All I’m getting at is that you need to study up on your use of apostrophes, that’s all. The rule you posted about them wasn’t necessarily wrong, it just needs to be tweaked a bit. Talk to Byz about it, she is rather fond of tweaking. ~Santi ---
**Author:** ![BlockHead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aca169/32.png) [@BlockHead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlockHead)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830/58 "2000-07-26T22:24:09Z")
Leave it to Jack Batty to bring “Junior High Humor” into the conversation. Shame, shame. Baliff! Whack his pee-pee! I love you man! Pepperlandgirl said a bad word. Shame, shame. She must have a limited vocabulary. She looks like someone that would have the audacity to correct others. (Maybe it helps her deal with her many physical flaws. is that a beard she’s sportin? [http://www.geocities.com/pepperlandgirl4/hug2.jpg](http://www.geocities.com/pepperlandgirl4/hug2.jpg) btw-the tractor was less interesting then expected.) voguevixen is a meanie. :-p FreakFreely: Right on! I’ve always told people when they try to correct their own typos that “It’s ok, I read typos” The defense of the defenseless is to criticize the trivial. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-details-and-the-brain-farts-who-point-them-out/26830.md?page=2)