Why the global elite gave up on spelling and grammar
Leaked emails from Jeffrey Epstein’s network, full of typos and broken grammar, prompt a broader look at why many wealthy or powerful people write so sloppily in private. Commenters weigh explanations ranging from smartphone ergonomics and time pressure to class signaling, diminished empathy, and the uncomfortable idea that many “global elites” are not especially competent or intelligent. Others argue that language norms are shifting more generally — with relaxed capitalization and messy chat-style writing becoming widespread — and that grammar has always been as much about social status and gatekeeping as about clear communication.
Why elite writing looks sloppy
- Many argue it’s just how busy people text and email, especially on phones with bad keyboards and autocorrect.
- Others counter that earlier eras’ casual letters (pre-digital) often had better grammar and penmanship, partly because physical letters had high “activation energy” and latency.
- Some say modern short-form chat encourages incomplete thoughts, missing context, and no punctuation, which then spills over into email.
Power, class, and signaling
- One strong theme: bad grammar from elites is seen as a status flex.
- If you’re untouchable, you don’t need to perform care or courtesy in writing.
- A terse, error‑filled message can signal that your time is too valuable to waste on polish.
- Others think this is over‑theorized: it’s just “how everyone writes on their phone” rather than deliberate signaling.
- Some note that “authentically human” errors now help distinguish people from AI, and some bots intentionally use poor grammar to seem real.
Competence and meritocracy
- Several comments argue that many “global elite” aren’t especially smart or articulate; they rose via luck, connections, family wealth, or sociopathic traits.
- Others point out they may be unintelligent in academic or linguistic terms but skilled at power games (blackmail, manipulation, backstabbing).
- There’s debate over whether poor writing is low-signal, no-signal, or meaningful evidence of weak thinking; some report costly confusion caused by inarticulate leaders.
Grammar, courtesy, and exclusion
- One camp: spelling and grammar are primarily about clarity and respect for the reader; leaders should model high standards.
- Another camp: many rules (especially capitalization) are arbitrary, anxiety‑inducing, and mainly serve as class markers or gatekeeping tools.
- Dyslexia, neurodivergence, non‑native status, and uneven education are cited as reasons grammar is a weak proxy for intelligence or expertise.
Context: when correctness still matters
- Formal contexts (college admissions, YC applications, academic writing) are seen as places where errors still carry real cost and act as proof‑of‑work.
- Informal chats, internal quick emails, and texts are where most participants accept lower standards, though some worry this erodes thinking over time.