I too have issues with both spelling and grammar, something that my parents lamented, my teachers scorned, and my colleagues joked about. It is mental, possibly due to dyslexia or ADHD, or so I believe. One symptom for me is that I cannot transpose typed text when using a typewriter. It’s not a mental capability that I seem to master; however, I can type quickly and, with the help of grammar and spell check, become legible enough to mostly get my point across. It used to be a source of depression for me as I navigated grade school until I met a doctoral scientist through the 4H program in my area. He confessed he had the same issue and reassured me that that was not what he was paid for. You can be good at what you do and still be valuable, even with this issue.
We struggle with content in one of the publication committees I am a member of. Our submitters, men who write articles and have not been in a classroom or a field requiring written submissions for decades, usually present very rough drafts for submission. It requires weeks of work to bring them to a publishable state. We can hardly hold them to any scholarly expectation as they are out of practice. Instead, we offer to help them, and the content of the publication is better for it.
Great article. It's also true about our spoken words. It's gotten better, but there are still those sideline hawks who want to swoop in and correct a brother who is trying hard at our ritual.
I’m the Editor for our Orient-wide Scottish Rite magazine and it never ceases to amaze me how hard some brethren will try to criticize.
When I receive a submission I automatically assume the men don’t write as much as I do and will need some hand-holding and editing. There’s no shame in that, and I don’t understand vitriol that gets directed over these kinds of things.
Sadly the printed word is not the only place it happens. I had a brother “mispronounce” a word during an exemplification and get dressed down about it afterwards. Further, to make it more ridiculous you could say the name 2 ways.
Positive feedback and support, however worded, when others are around.
Save your criticism for a private conversation one on one when no one else can hear, and then, in the most friendly manner...
Not only has the world forgotten such gentleness but many in our craft have followed suit. We're reminded each time we meet, yet still we hear the critics louder than the support. I think it is one of the top reasons men leave. Not everyone is strong enough to push through.
We meet in a place of friendship and virtue and are charged to take it into the outer world, yet this comes up more than I can believe. Social media posts are seldom following the same expectations.
Any suggestions as to how we can overtly communicate this value without calling someone out?
Well said, brother. Masonry is built on a platform of civility. Our great role model, brother George Washington, promulgated "110 Rules for Civility, " a document available through the George Washington National Memorial, which should be read periodically in every lodge.
We conduct our meetings and, hopefully our lives, according to long-standing practices designed to promote friendship and brotherly love and respect. Wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone practiced these same principles?
So we misplace a comma, split an infinitive, or use the wrong Case occasionally. Let's set the example in society by applying our Masonic principles out of the lodge as well as in it.
Even after I've proofread my posts I still get an errant misspelling occasionally. I assume my readership #s are so low that not enough people will notice, lol. Or at least they are adult enough to forgive the muse.
While the internet has brought knowledge at the masses fingertips, It's also spawned the trolls. Some folks just can't help themselves and some of that online behavior leaks into the fraternity unfortunately.
The thing I love about Substack is the fact that we can edit and update. So I’m appreciative when someone finds a typo or some such and lets me know. But you’re so right: don’t be a dick about it. I’m totally fine with criticism when it’s thoughtful. But if it’s “you’re stupid because you don’t agree with me,” then you’re a dick. It’s an underhanded attempt at censorship. You really nailed it on this post. Loved it. Thank You.
I mispell a lot and pretty sure I break a lot of gammer rules. In school I was told to write about things I enjoy. So I thought of the first three things i like- and started writting: I like to cook my family and my cat. Grammer rule #525: Know when to use commas, or people may have a different perspective of what your are conveying.
Bruthur yoo keep up the ecsulant rioting. I Rite awl der tim end I are ñeaver rong into my speaking or da grimmer.
Gruet articul and me plan to wre print it in meagherzine.
Piece.
Well said, Brother.
I too have issues with both spelling and grammar, something that my parents lamented, my teachers scorned, and my colleagues joked about. It is mental, possibly due to dyslexia or ADHD, or so I believe. One symptom for me is that I cannot transpose typed text when using a typewriter. It’s not a mental capability that I seem to master; however, I can type quickly and, with the help of grammar and spell check, become legible enough to mostly get my point across. It used to be a source of depression for me as I navigated grade school until I met a doctoral scientist through the 4H program in my area. He confessed he had the same issue and reassured me that that was not what he was paid for. You can be good at what you do and still be valuable, even with this issue.
We struggle with content in one of the publication committees I am a member of. Our submitters, men who write articles and have not been in a classroom or a field requiring written submissions for decades, usually present very rough drafts for submission. It requires weeks of work to bring them to a publishable state. We can hardly hold them to any scholarly expectation as they are out of practice. Instead, we offer to help them, and the content of the publication is better for it.
Ralph Gorin, in addition to inventing the spell checker, is a very kind man and fellow resident of Washington State.
I probably owe my career in technology to my poor tying skills and the ease of correcting errors on early era word processing software.
Great article. It's also true about our spoken words. It's gotten better, but there are still those sideline hawks who want to swoop in and correct a brother who is trying hard at our ritual.
I’m the Editor for our Orient-wide Scottish Rite magazine and it never ceases to amaze me how hard some brethren will try to criticize.
When I receive a submission I automatically assume the men don’t write as much as I do and will need some hand-holding and editing. There’s no shame in that, and I don’t understand vitriol that gets directed over these kinds of things.
Sadly the printed word is not the only place it happens. I had a brother “mispronounce” a word during an exemplification and get dressed down about it afterwards. Further, to make it more ridiculous you could say the name 2 ways.
Praise in public, correct in private...
Positive feedback and support, however worded, when others are around.
Save your criticism for a private conversation one on one when no one else can hear, and then, in the most friendly manner...
Not only has the world forgotten such gentleness but many in our craft have followed suit. We're reminded each time we meet, yet still we hear the critics louder than the support. I think it is one of the top reasons men leave. Not everyone is strong enough to push through.
We meet in a place of friendship and virtue and are charged to take it into the outer world, yet this comes up more than I can believe. Social media posts are seldom following the same expectations.
Any suggestions as to how we can overtly communicate this value without calling someone out?
Well said, brother. Masonry is built on a platform of civility. Our great role model, brother George Washington, promulgated "110 Rules for Civility, " a document available through the George Washington National Memorial, which should be read periodically in every lodge.
We conduct our meetings and, hopefully our lives, according to long-standing practices designed to promote friendship and brotherly love and respect. Wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone practiced these same principles?
So we misplace a comma, split an infinitive, or use the wrong Case occasionally. Let's set the example in society by applying our Masonic principles out of the lodge as well as in it.
Michael D Neben
Past Master
Irvine Valley Lodge #671
Lake Forest, California
Even after I've proofread my posts I still get an errant misspelling occasionally. I assume my readership #s are so low that not enough people will notice, lol. Or at least they are adult enough to forgive the muse.
While the internet has brought knowledge at the masses fingertips, It's also spawned the trolls. Some folks just can't help themselves and some of that online behavior leaks into the fraternity unfortunately.
Great post, Bud.
The thing I love about Substack is the fact that we can edit and update. So I’m appreciative when someone finds a typo or some such and lets me know. But you’re so right: don’t be a dick about it. I’m totally fine with criticism when it’s thoughtful. But if it’s “you’re stupid because you don’t agree with me,” then you’re a dick. It’s an underhanded attempt at censorship. You really nailed it on this post. Loved it. Thank You.
I mispell a lot and pretty sure I break a lot of gammer rules. In school I was told to write about things I enjoy. So I thought of the first three things i like- and started writting: I like to cook my family and my cat. Grammer rule #525: Know when to use commas, or people may have a different perspective of what your are conveying.