Be genuine with your tone. If it doesn’t sound like something you’d actually say out loud, don’t say it. Or at least come up with a different way to say it that’s not all BS-y.
People aren’t stupid, they know when you’re being phony even they don’t realize they know it. For example the OP kinda comes across a little affected, which is why I think people are down voting it. (I didn’t, by the way). Someone said that the confident tone doesn’t match the subject matter, and I agree with that 100%
It’s a style guide. It’s supposed to be ruthlessly dictatorial. I wrote it for myself and co-workers. Some local Less Wrongers enjoyed it and encouraged me to post, so I did. I thought it would be appreciated. Oh well.
Don’t get me wrong, I think most of what you suggested was actually pretty useful. That’s why I was a bit surprised that your post got down voted so quickly and heavily. Once I read through it again, that’s when I noticed the tone came across weird.
PS. I wouldn’t get discouraged by people who are pointing out all these edge cases where your suggestions are wrong. If a “guide” is helpful, say, 80% of the time, I think that’s a pretty good start.
Just gonna throw a suggestion out there:
Be genuine with your tone. If it doesn’t sound like something you’d actually say out loud, don’t say it. Or at least come up with a different way to say it that’s not all BS-y.
People aren’t stupid, they know when you’re being phony even they don’t realize they know it. For example the OP kinda comes across a little affected, which is why I think people are down voting it. (I didn’t, by the way). Someone said that the confident tone doesn’t match the subject matter, and I agree with that 100%
It’s a style guide. It’s supposed to be ruthlessly dictatorial. I wrote it for myself and co-workers. Some local Less Wrongers enjoyed it and encouraged me to post, so I did. I thought it would be appreciated. Oh well.
Don’t get me wrong, I think most of what you suggested was actually pretty useful. That’s why I was a bit surprised that your post got down voted so quickly and heavily. Once I read through it again, that’s when I noticed the tone came across weird.
PS. I wouldn’t get discouraged by people who are pointing out all these edge cases where your suggestions are wrong. If a “guide” is helpful, say, 80% of the time, I think that’s a pretty good start.