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Hi, Kevin Coupe here, and this is FaceTime with the Content Guy.
One of the things we talk about a lot here on MNB is the subject of generational differences, and why it is important not to allow oneself to engage in epistemic closure, but rather be open to the reality that the way we see things is not always the way things are. We live in the complex and diverse world, and to assume that our reality is everybody's reality is to make a serious miscalculation. Especially if you are a leader, but not only.
That said, I think it is important to have standards. There are places where one has to draw the line. There are times when one has to say, this is a bridge too far.
You get my point?
For example, I'm not a big fan of using things like "LOL" and "IMHO" and "BTW." I'll use them occasionally, but not often ... it seems like cheating to me, especially in emails. (I will use "WTF," but thats because it would be ruder not to use the letters.) Speaking of emails, I'm a big fan of using proper grammar and spelling ... I think it shows respect for the person to whom I am writing.
At the risk of sounding like one of those old guys who keeps telling people to get off of his lawn, I have identified another such situation. Let explain by using two sentences.
This is a sentence. This is a second sentence.
And again:
This is a sentence. This is a second sentence.
Do you see the difference? In the first one, I put two spaces between the period and the first letter of the second sentence, and in the second case, I used only one space.
I'm a two-space guy. And it really, really irritates me when I see only one space between sentences.
I'm not sure why. Maybe it goes back to the religious folks who would smack me around when I got out of line or didn't do things in the way that they thought was correct. Or maybe it was one of the editors that I've had along the way. It could've been a typing teacher ... though if so, it'd be the only thing I learned, since I've failed three different typing classes in my life. (I'm a two-finger typist. Always have been. It is that same lack of dexterity that frustrated me when I tried to learn to play the guitar.)
I just think that when starting a second sentence, we all ought to use two spaces. It adds separation. It adds clarity. It is like taking that extra moment to think before speaking. (Which, to be fair, I've never been very good at.)
And so, I'm taking this on as a cause. A small one, to be sure, but my own.
I recognize that some would suggest that this, indeed, is epistemic closure ... or worse, old-guy thinking. And I must concede that if this is true, Michael Sansolo only uses one space between sentences when he writes his columns ... which he would no doubt suggest makes him a more youthful thinker than I.
No matter. I'm hanging in. Two spaces is better than one. The campaign to bring the rest of the world into line with my thinking begins right here, right now.
That's what is on my mind this Thursday morning. As always, I want to hear what is on your mind. (But when you write, two spaces between sentences would be appreciated...)
- KC's View:
