On Thu, Jul 28, 2022 at 09:17:32PM +0800, Ihor Radchenko wrote:
> Ihor Radchenko <yantar92@gmail.com> writes:
> 
> > I am attaching a tentative patch that will make Org export remove
> > zero-width spaces when those spaces actually separate the object
> > boundaries.
> >
> > Any objections?
> 
> Given the raised objections, zero-width space does not appear to be a
> useful escape symbol because it has its valid uses as a standalone space
> symbol.
> 
> The raised objections can be solved using some kind of intricate
> heuristics, but I do not feel like it is a good direction to go. The
> code will be too complex and fragile.
> 
> Therefore, I am proposing a different approach for shielding
> fontification: introducing a special entity.
> 
> The new entity is \--, which is a valid boundary between emphasis
> markup. It will be removed during export (replaced by "").

[...]

I like that approach very much. I'm impressed, really.

Cheers
-- 
t