It's not as if I don't do it too. Pointing out another person's mistakes seems to be a popular pastime. A friend noticed a grammatical error on one of my missives and brought it to my attention. 

 

It doesn't matter much. Except to the extent that it informs me of how such remarks feel. Not great, it turns out. I have pondered the backlash of having a profession that leans into shining a light on blunders. You know... editors, quality control managers, inspectors, doctors. Teachers, too, unless they are skillful enough to rework how they grade. 

 

For a brief time I was a sub in the local school in California. There was a stack of cards at our disposal, titled "Caught Being Good". We were encouraged to pass them out generously to any child in such a condition. It meant we were poised to look for such things, rather than the opposite. 

 

I suppose I am indebted to problem hunters. They can save internal organs and condos which is handy. Certainly Ben's liver is grateful for recent blood results that alerted us to action. Ignorance was not in his best interests.

 

Still one of my questions is, "Why?" Is there satisfaction in ridding the world of misspelled words, and dangled participles? Are the four hundred sixty two correct nouns and adjectives eclipsed by the lone errant one? Moreover is there a tendency to continue the scrutiny after you've hung up your hard hat, or pen, and clocked out? 

 

Of one thing I am quite certain. If anyone had highlighted my imperfections when I was learning to sew, which there were plenty of I might add, I would never have made it to the point I am now. Which is a level and proficiency that has not been bettered by criticism.