Typography for a New Age

There are times in the history of our civilization which require the development and deployment of new or enhanced means of communications. Just as Gutenberg’s press gave way to the dissemination of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, a revolution in the way we punctuate our words is needed in an age of increasing uncertainty, in which misinterpretation born of echo chambers and confirmation bias leads to outsized animosity.

The New Punctuation seeks to be a means of bridging divides that are simply the result of misinterpration and misinformation. It is meant to be an evolving set of new marks to add nuance to textual communication, so check back often to see what's new.

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  Chaos

  Used to signify that the text to follow results from a period of transition or chaos seen once a century. Usage is expected to evolve.

  2020 We must re-imagine our institutions in revolutionary ways; otherwise we're doomed to become yet another — pathetically short — failed civilization.

  Type 2020, nudge the baselines, and squeeze it real tight.
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  Hyperquestion

  Used to inquire deeply, with the goal of clarifying that you are not asking casually : you expect a proper, detailed answer.

  If we are to trust those in charge to put our interests over their personal gain, then precisely what are you working on to ensure money doesn't control politicians???

  Just type three Question marks and tighten the tracking so the overlap.
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  Skeptiquotes

  To be used when you must quote an external source, but want to alert the reader that a fair amount of skepticism is in order.

  ~“I have video evidence showing Malcolm X was in fact a white supremacist, MLK wasn't actually a reverend, and that Ali is the antichrist who will soon return for his harvest.~”

  Type an approx (or two tildes) next to a colon, and space it up. Invert the process to close the quote.
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  Red Flags

  To be used when you must quote an external source, but want to alert the reader the quoted material is complete and utter nonsense.

  “!All northerners and rich people not only have a singular interest in the torture of possums and fowl, but they receive the funds to do so by our hard-earned tax dollars.”!

  Use an approximately equal sign (or two tildes if unavailable) next to a bar. Squeeze 'em tight.
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  Conspiracy

  Used to announce the reciting of a set of unsubstantiated claims when one is forced to address or de-bunk them.

  Q! Our government is being run by an elite group of wealthy activists and celebrities who know that trump is the true savior and who feed off the blood of children. Q!

  Just pile some letters on top of one another like hot garbage. I suggest starting with an @.
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  Rants

  Warns the reader that what they are about to read is fueled by an inordinate amount of passion or anger, and to proceed accordingly.

  !l All you angry, anti-government die-hards who think that you're better off on your own...please, go be on your own. I'm not saying Lord of the Flies is non-fiction. But we'll see !r

  Hard to reproduce. Just use 3 Exclamations.
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  Exasperation

  A mark of factual conviction, but one which admits a level of mental fatigue and occasional doubt; a humble plea.

  The world is not an easy place to live right now, but seriously, if you think we are becoming a communist nation, speak to someone who's experienced it before. Please !~ Stop it !~

  Get creative with an I and a tilde, maybe.
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  Pivot

  Used to indicate within a text conversation that, yes, you saw what the person was saying, but you are forcing a change of topics.

  "Yo, so what's up with all this jive about all baristas injecting child blood into lattes?" -/ "Man, the Cowboys are the ultimate stress inducer in the NFL, am I right?"

  Type an em dash, then a slash, and squeeze them until they intersect.
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  Confoundment

  Used in place of a question mark when the thing you're questioning is baffling to the point of being inarguable. Can be used alone.

  So you are telling me that, despite thousands of years of consensus, the existence of satellites ORBITING the earth, that you literally, not ironically, believe the earth is flat ~?

  Try flipping an S, and then kerning and dropping a tilde underneath it.
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  Nocheck

  Used after a word that is not generally accepted as part of mainstream vocabulary, but a word that is intentional nonetheless, to indicate that you are purposefully introducing a new word.

  As long as I can keep typographing //, I think that I will be able to communicate effectively. Even if they continue cogniscrewing // themselves, we can remain calm and steady. They are we, we are they.

  Squeeze an s and p together.
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  Hopeful Period

  Used at the end of a sentence the writer understands should be universal and shared in common, but what they understand is in flux.

  We will get through this period in our history — this shameful and surprising period — not unscathed but better as a people because of the hard lessons it has forced upon us.-

  Type a period and drop another smaller one under it.
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  Emphasign

  Used to clarify the focus of a statement, usually one sentiment, when other details are present. To be read as: "emphasis on..."

  I'm all for getting things done and being where you need to be. But have you been outside? It's blustery, dim, and freaking cold, &! "cold."

  You're on your own here. But start with a flipped & maybe.

  Contributed by Taylor Burton
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  Soforth

  A more nuanced way in which to express a sentiment like "and more." Similar to ellipses except there is no implication of ending or trailing off at the end of the relevant portion of a quote.

  There is whole ton of things I need to get from the grocery store for the soup: carrots, onions, celery sf .

  There's the obvious s + f, but try s + florin if you have one.

  Contributed by Christi Dawson
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  Hyperperiod

  Used in a similar manner as a standard period, except that it signifies "this conversation is over," or "my point has been made."

  I have told you everything I know about what happened, and how I feel about it. I have nothing more to say .!

  Stack three periods using your spacing prowess.
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  Endomation

  Used in place of an exclamation when you desire emphasis, but with a hint of finality and satisfaction. Type equivalent of a mic drop.

  "I know you said this was due on the 14th. It's on the site." "Oh yeah? Take a look. What's it say?" !! Silence.

  Try an I with a degree dropped below it.

  Concept by Jacob Weathersbee
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  Abstract

  Used to proceed a summary of an article that is of considerable length. Not to be used as a flippant dismissal of content, but rather to key-point it so users can decide whether to read it. Born from the petty "too long, didn't read." Flipping the script here.

  tldr

  • The crazies have doubled down.
  • Mixed opinions on if conspiracies will die.
  • Hey, we get our stimulus tomorrow.

  Type a dl, surrounded by em dashes, and squeeze them into one character.

Use It

Once you've downloaded the font and installed, you can use the characters easily enough by using the Glyphs panel (or equivalent) in your Adobe program. But, I wanted it to be more accessible, so the font you download has subs built in. To use these on any standard keyboard, do the following: