Spelling and grammar are fairly important, particularly in text-only communication/s where even the 'right' choice of emoticon can distinguish [or is all we have to distinguish] between a 'gentle suggestion', mirth, or downright 'snide' remark. Reading Facial expressions isn't an option.
It's a lot like those pan-dimensional beings in Hitchhikers' Guide to The Galaxy....where all we saw was a white mouse.
People can be [are] judged [rightly or wrongly] by their skills of communication, even by how 'lazy' or disdainful they can be by treating their audience shabbily [contemptuously?].
I always figured if I wanted someone to treat my communication with respect by reading it I'd make darn sure it was clear and concise [and as correct as possible]....it's only fair that the orator respects his/her audience.
Affectations of communication....'1337 - speak', abreviations...ROFLMAO ...that may confuse, even typing in all caps, [or just every first letter [hint]] are disrespectful of the audience, or can be, as they presume prior knowledge/understanding, or attempt to categorize your audience as equally socially inept.
It's bad enough that our 'industry/hobby' is littered with jargon that confuses the newbie, without wanton deterioration of communicative language skills as well.
If/when a communication is seriously problematic then it will likely fail its purpose.
It is then a waste of typing, AND a waste of the audience's time reading....
Serious problem? Not especially. Irksome? Usually...
