Quote:
Originally Posted by taglines
When we capitalize a word, we signify it as something special or unique.
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No, when we capitalize a word, we signify it as a proper noun: a name of a singular thing, not a descriptive term that applies to a whole category of things.
The Internet is a specific, unique, named example of a computer network. There is only one Internet; it's not
an internet. "The Internet" is its name, just like "Worldwalker" is my (pen) name, not a descriptive term. The Internet is a network; Worldwalker is a forum member; the Empire State Building is a building.
"Specialness" has nothing to do with it; the US Army's capitalization of "soldier" is an abomination. So is the idea that any adjective which applies to a human being (black, deaf, whatever) should be capitalized. Capitalization is for proper nouns, and words derived from proper nouns (Asian, for instance, since it's derived from the proper noun Asia). Not just because you think something is Special or Important.