The most surprising thing in here is the ire toward Gruber. Even if you disagree with someone who writes a piece of software, they don't owe you anything. You u

The most surprising thing in here is the ire toward Gruber. Even if you disagree with someone who writes a piece of software, they don't owe you anything. You use and benefit from their work, and you are angry when they don't agree with you? What a bunch of whiny, entitled nonsense. Gruber has stated he wants to keep it ambiguous. You may disagree. But Gruber owes you nothing, and you are in his debt if Markdown has been useful to you. Draw inspiration from his project and make your own.