That is a stupendously dangerous question to ask, and that the answer is not crystal clear from the outset is terrifying. When humanity and computers collide, the computer is always in the wrong. Every single time, forever. At no point is it acceptable to ask that any human being alter their culture, lifestyle, or thinking because it fits the boxes the developers were asked to put in place. Doing so would make stupid bureaucractic policy mistakes into cultural catastrophes. I legitimately fear two agents of oppression: 'Sorry, it's policy' used to excuse cruelty, and 'the software doesn't have a place for me to put that.'
And I reduced it. The aurhor had no say in the matter. He could have written in italics if he knew how, or ALL CAPS, and there would be little I could do about it. He could have worn a sandwich board and paced up and down a thoroughfare, but I would not have seen him.
People adapt their behavior to their communication media instinctively and continually, and are as routinely deliberately controlled thereby.
