I have prescriptivist tendencies, but I agree that "It has to be that way because it's always been that way" is a stupid argument. I'm simply of the opinion th

I have prescriptivist tendencies, but I agree that "It has to be that way because it's always been that way" is a stupid argument. I'm simply of the opinion that language that leads to misunderstanding is bad. That's why I correct anyone who I suspect to use the word "literally" for the opposite of its meaning, and why I use Oxford commas. I also like when the meaning of a sentence is inferable by only knowing the words and simple grammar rules. That's why I hate "could of" or "I could care less". I will also roll my eyes if you ask me to use double spaces after a period. That rule was born from a technical limitation that's long gone. In essence I think that conserving ancient rules and meanings is just one branch of prescriptivism, and it's unfair to judge everything prescriptivist based on that one radical branch.