Serial Comma (Oxford/Harvard comma)

When someone writes well, the lack of commas is indeed fine.  The problem arises when you are left to decipher what someone has written because they do not write well. 

I guess you could say that's another reason I'm "for it" (I know enough people who don't write well).  I care, but I don't.  In a way, that sounds odd, but it's true.  Still, I voted "for it".

Far be it for me to disagree with Clive, as he is both more educated, and likely more intelligent than I, but I am in favor of the serial/Oxford/Harvard/Libtard comma. It is my personal opinion that the additional comma prior to "and" indicates that what is mentioned is a separate, and to be considered separate, item in a list.

To readdress the examples in the wiki article: "I would like to dedicate this to Jim, Steve, Ed, my brother and my mentor" vs "I would like to dedicate this to Jim, Steve, Ed, my brother, and my mentor." The former leaves open the ambiguous possibility for my brother to also be my mentor, the latter, on the other hand, makes clear that my brother and my mentor are to be considered separate entities.

On the other hand, I agree that the hazard can be avoided by a better crafted sentence. I consider that, still, neither here nor there.

We live in a world that has poorly constructed sentences, and deep down in places I don't talk about at parties, I want that comma in that sentence. I need that comma in that sentence. We use commas to separate words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these commas as the backbone of separating items in a list. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain my grammar to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the clarity of the sentences I write, and then questions the manner in which I write them. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a copy of Strunk and White, and write a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to.

I submit that, in that sentence, the "ambiguity" exists only with those people who expect a serial comma and don't get one.

In real life, you seldom see a mixed group like those of the strained Wiki examples.  It's far, far more common to see like items in a list (e.g. silver, copper, zinc and titanium).  For that reason, I will grudgingly and very sparingly use a serial comma if I think the typical reader would otherwise be confused by the lack of one (which includes sentence structure, list composition and intended audience).

I have always used the comma.

However down here in Texas any punctuation is optional. Spelling and grammar too.

Where'd you learn that from?

[Busy looking at avatar] Huh, what, you say something? [/Still busy looking at avatar]

I still put two spaces after a period.

And sometimes I'll bust out a four-dot ellipsis if I'm feeling saucy.
(in homage to the Star Wars opening crawl)

That's how I was taught.  And FTR.........My cousin is hot!