&gt; today we have all become defensive writers because there is now an expectation that someone will use nitpicks about inconsequential points to discredit the entire piece.<p>Even such inconsequential things as, for example, pointing out the parent&#x27;s incorrect choice of &quot;adverse&quot; instead of &quot;averse,&quot; which has no bearing on the argument.<p>There&#x27;s almost always a mistake, overgeneralization, or convenient shortcut in anything a person says. Holding people to an impossible standard just adds stress all around.