Chess and Spelling

Interestingly, not all names are capitalised. I remember reading an article which referenced someone (I htink it was a chess player) whose name was specifically spelled with lower-case letters.

Here's an interesting question:  When one's username is uncaptilized, as onosson's is, I generally don't capitalize it when I use it in a sentence.  The exception is when I use it at the beginning of a sentence, in which case I do.

What is actually appropriate in each of these cases?

e.e. cummings, for example.

I believe in the case of e.e. cummings and others like that, it must be lower-case even when at the beginning of a sentence, though I'm not 100% sure. When you get to usernames, it gets much more complicated, as there isn't a lot of time for precedents on such things.

Lowercase even at the beginning of a sentence?  That is how cummings begins all her sentences? 

Doubtful... differences exist between regions even in small (population) countries such as up here in Canada.  And every generation coming up wants to distinguish itself from previous ones by developing their own standards of pronunciation, grammar, slang, spelling etc.  That's human nature - and not likely to change anytime soon.

From the wiki:

Cummings' publishers and others have sometimes echoed the unconventional orthography in his poetry by writing his name in lower case and without periods. Cummings himself used both the lowercase and capitalized versions, but according to his widow did not, as reported in the preface of one book, have his name legally changed to "e. e. cummings". He did, however, write to his French translator that he preferred the capitalized version ("may it not be tricksy"). One Cummings scholar believes that on the occasions Cummings signed his name in all-lowercase, the poet may have intended it as a gesture of humility, and not as an indication that it was the preferred orthography for others to use for his name.

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e.e. cummings didn't start every sentence with lower case letters, however neither did he adhere to conventions regarding capitalization, punctuation and formatting.

As a result, his poetry is as much feast for the eyes on the printed page as it is for the soul when read.

Exactly.

I could see it only being a feast for the eyes if that serves some kind of purpose.  I don't know.  I am not familiar with her writing. 

What about casting spells on people while playing chess?

e.e. cummings is male.  Does there need to be a purpose to beauty?

Absolutely.

Is beauty purpose

or purpose beauty?

Dr., I am sure i could say the same to you about some things i am familiar with, which you are not.

Please don't patronize.

There is an intrinsic value in beauty that serves no practical purpose.

Doubtful

wtf! Who cares if Chess is spelt Chess or chess

Ozzie seems to be under the misguided impression that Gary is incapable of defending himself.

The smartest people I know don't brag about it. In fact, doing so is not very smart, since it leaves the counterparty smarting.