As an “editor” of texts, I recently replied to a post by a friend about the issue of retaining two spaces after a period–or not, as prescribed by the Chicago Style Manual No. 17. I weighed in on that, favoring the single space because it is now considered “official.”
Someone noted that “it’s all bullshit,” and I realized that I basically agree. But here is the irony of my position as an editor–that I uphold all these standards through my “service.” And I will continue to do that, as part of my job. (Note: there have been times when I have recommended that a client ignore Chicago [or whatever] Style rules, especially when it comes to capitalization).
Yet. Today, after receiving a very nice reply to my Substack note from the artist/designer Paul Soulellis, and looking up his website, I saw that he had written: “Typography and power are intimately entangled.” And I think that applies to editing and type spacing, and all the visual elements that go into written language.
So that’s just circulating around in my brain right now, even as I prepare some Mail Art to go . . .
Jean Vengua 