(no subject)

[sigmaleph]

is talking about how asymmetry/failure to complete a pattern bothers you really a way of talking about how good you are at noticing patterns

like. talking about how people's bad grammar/spelling bothers you can definitely be a way of subtly (or not very subtly) saying "I am very good at these skills. I am so good, I can't help but notice when others use them wrong". I have definitely fallen afoul of that (and upon noticing, subsequently made a deliberate effort to chill the fuck down about people using language in a nonstandard way, because I did not like being that kind of person)

on the other hand, people can be... genuinely bothered by things. it's a thing that happens. not everything is status signalling (she says, hitting a lurking Robin Hanson that is about to jump from the shadows). it's more important to focus on don't be a jerk to people as a lesson to draw from this than don't ever act in a way that shows off that you're good at something