Coop's Loop

This classic gameshow has used incorrect punctuation since its inception...
 
It seems that a designer's brain never stops working. That we are constantly seeing design faux pauxs and editing them in our heads. This does not change as we try to turn it off and turn on the tube. I have a feeling that this may be the topic of many posts.
 
 
Today's observation comes from a gameshow that helped to pave the way, Jeopardy! Rarely do I have the luxury of sitting on the couch so early in the evening, but a recent TV break found me surfing my way into answering ridiculous questions displayed on the familiar blue screen. As I read the text on the screen, all I can think is how they don't use smart quotes! You would think that a program that prides themselves on doing things correctly and having their facts straight would strive to have their typography straight too. But they don't. Answer after answer used dumb quotes making these questions look dumb to my designer's mind.
 
If you are not sensitive to typography, you may not notice. You may say, "I don't see anything wrong here. What's the difference?" Smart quotes are usually curved in shape and have different opening and closing versions of the quotes. Dumb quotes are simple tapered vertical or angled marks. These are "primes" and are only used to indicate numerical measurements as foot or inch marks. It is unfortunate that keyboards were created by engineers and not designers because the default is dumb quotes. This is a conscious decision that designers have to make within their programs. 
 
It becomes particularly noticeable and confusing when they use both quotes and measurements in an answer. And some have quotes inside quotes...?! The message quickly gets muddled. The distinction is necessary for proper and effective communication. 
 
In stark contrast to the conservative reality, the SNL parody featuring Will Farrell as Alex Trabec actually uses smart quotes for its answers. Maybe it's because SNL is a creative outlet and designers on that program are more aware of typography? Or maybe it's their superior communications skills that make them more sensitive to the message?