And now, a thought on language.

An excerpt of a column from Marilyn vos Savant, who is a very smart person (putatively), but I’d say not a linguist.

My students increasingly question the value of learning basic grammar. They say that, in the future, computers will correct their mistakes automatically. What would you tell them?
—Name withheld, Sanford, Maine

Even if computers could discern what students wanted to say (despite their errors), students must learn not only basic grammar but also sophisticated and highly complex grammar. Otherwise, the students won’t be able to comprehend what they read to the fullest extent. Almost as important, they won’t realize their limitations.

She’s not making sense here, but perhaps I haven’t studied enough sophisticated and highly complex grammar.

And another gem:

Marilyn: I’d like to add to your answer about why students should study basic grammar. Not only must they be able to comprehend the written language, they must be able to speak it. If you can’t speak grammatically, you will not rise beyond the lower levels in most job categories.

Marilyn responds:

John: How true. Although spoken English doesn’t obey the rules of written language, a person who doesn’t know the rules thoroughly is at a great disadvantage.

This moment of surrealism has been brought to you by the letter ð.