Do typefaces really matter?

I think they do matter.

Where I think they matter the most is with screen fonts in operating systems.

I still can't get myself to use a desktop Linux for any extended period of time, because there's something indescribable about the screen fonts that subconsciously irritates me. I still can't put my finger on it, but I don't get annoyed when using OSX or Windows.

I would also make the argument that the display of type on the very first iPhone, in combination with the screen, really separated it from the rest of the field. Their use of Helvetica made it look 'printlike', which added to the appeal of the phone. Clearly that was a good thing, because I see good use of type on the new generations of Android, WebOS and Windows Mobile phones. Unless you're a font snob, good typography is no longer a differentiator between the smartphone operating systems - a good thing.

Back in the day, I dealt with them a lot. I disliked Univers & the Compugraphics version of Times. I don't care for books with body text in Palatino, Melior, or Optima. But the face on subtitles isn't spoiling movies for me.

The Greeks invented handwriting? The Phoenicians wrote with their feet, like the kid in the movie?