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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrump has Random Capitalization Syndrome.
Yes, this affliction has been identified, and Spanky's got it. It's described here, somewhat tongue-in-cheekily: http://www.mikepope.com/blog/DisplayBlog.aspx?permalink=2349
Why is it a problem?
Although victims of RCS often don't recognize that they have the affliction, or consider it only mild (similar to those who suffer Socks-With-Sandals Syndrome), RCS has potentially serious long-term effects. These include:
RCS reduces readability. To plop it into the middle of a sentence for no good reason gives the brain a micro-second freeze that interrupts comprehension.
RCS reduces credibility. To the trained eye, the capitalized words . . . scream "amateur" and are a huge distraction. They also make me want to put down whatever I'm reading and never pick it up again. If it's a book, that means I won't recommend it because I won't finish it. If the errors are on the author's website, bio, or other marketing materials, it stops me from picking up the book at all.
RCS annoys the sh*t out of people.
Although victims of RCS often don't recognize that they have the affliction, or consider it only mild (similar to those who suffer Socks-With-Sandals Syndrome), RCS has potentially serious long-term effects. These include:
RCS reduces readability. To plop it into the middle of a sentence for no good reason gives the brain a micro-second freeze that interrupts comprehension.
RCS reduces credibility. To the trained eye, the capitalized words . . . scream "amateur" and are a huge distraction. They also make me want to put down whatever I'm reading and never pick it up again. If it's a book, that means I won't recommend it because I won't finish it. If the errors are on the author's website, bio, or other marketing materials, it stops me from picking up the book at all.
RCS annoys the sh*t out of people.
Yes, the capitalized words scream "amateur." They also scream "semi-literate boob."
Recommended treatment for RCS is for the patient to undergo an intense course of study of the rules of English capitalization. The length of treatment depends on the severity of the affliction and on how responsive the patient is to treatment.
Victims can sometimes alleviate the worst symptoms by using a high-quality spelling-checker program. However, until a cure is effected, the victim is advised to pass every text they write past an editor.
RCS is considered in remission when patients can cite a specific rule for when they capitalize a word, and that none of those "rules" include the following:
"To emphasize the word."
"Because it's an important word."
"Because I like the way it looks."
Victims can sometimes alleviate the worst symptoms by using a high-quality spelling-checker program. However, until a cure is effected, the victim is advised to pass every text they write past an editor.
RCS is considered in remission when patients can cite a specific rule for when they capitalize a word, and that none of those "rules" include the following:
"To emphasize the word."
"Because it's an important word."
"Because I like the way it looks."
I don't understand unnecessary capitalization because it's extra work; you have to hold down the shift key on a regular keyboard, or on a phone you have to shift to another keyboard. Why would you capitalize a word when you didn't have to?
If you suffer from this syndrome too, please review the rules of English capitalization - random capitalization makes your writing hard to read, and worst of all, it makes it look Trumpy.
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Trump has Random Capitalization Syndrome. (Original Post)
The Velveteen Ocelot
Sep 2019
OP
leftstreet
(36,078 posts)1. It makes Me insane When Trump does This. Sad! n/t
3catwoman3
(23,812 posts)2. Is it fatal?
(Please, please, please let the answer be Yes.)
Hermit-The-Prog
(33,021 posts)3. Slightly More Annoying Is Capitalize Everything Syndrome
This Can Sometimes Be Blamed On Moron Software, But The Author Of Such Annoying Text Ultimately Bears Responsibility.
shanti
(21,670 posts)4. Used to be someone
on DU that did this, who I won't name. Drove me nuts.