Why the World Needs Editors

Part of my work as an editor over the years has been content editing.  I would look for items that could be misconstrued or were unfortunately placed and make changes to avoid possibly embarassing situations for the author or publisher. One gem was a word problem in a sample math test that started with "If you had two blue balls..." 

I think businesses should hire content editors too. They need someone who will do a walk-through, looking at all the signs and logos and the context in which they are displayed. 

Tonight I found myself grabbing a quick bite at a well known fast-food chain. I knew it was not my healthiest meal choice and I was furthur reminded by this sign on display over a counter next to where customers pick up their orders.

Note to self: Eat more salad.

I'm sure some marketing department thought this sign would make customers think "I could go for an energy drink right now." Instead, I looked at my meal and thought, "Eat enough of this and I’ll need a de-fib...but not that kind."


PS:
One of my favorite bloggers, Jenny Lawson (A.K.A. The Bloggess) posted a picture today that supports my thesis. This store also needs an edit. 


(For the record, I would not, could not with a fox...)

Each Lovers the Othr. Forever…..

You can take the editor out of the office, but you can’t take the editor out of the girl.

This is a picture of one of four identical window shades at a Chinese buffet where my husband and I occasionally have dinner. Every time we eat there, I am distracted by the typos. The er that changes what I assume should be Loves to Lovers doesn’t bother me as much as the period after Othr.

That period tells me that someone saw there was a typo and decided that, rather than redo the entire silkscreen, they would just add a period as if to indicate that “other” was intentionally abbreviated.

It’s a very odd solution to the problem and one that bothers me a bit.


[Post edited to make more sense. I shouldn't blog while tired. Thanks to OWG for pointing out what I missed.]