Is treating "data" as plural rather than singular correlated with difference between high and very high IQs in your experience? :-)

In my experience that seems to correlate a lot more with conscientiousness and caring about writing style after screening off intelligence. (Also: fuck!—I hate when I forget to treat "data" as plural.)

I used to use an awful lot of parens and have forced myself not to because I think not doing so is better style.

Same here, at least when it comes to writing for a truly general audience or for myself.