[Replying to me:] troff (1972) and eqn (1974) also existed. I don’t know if they were influenced by PUB. SCRIPT (1968)[1] had macros but it’s unclear whether they were present at the beginning or added later. RUNOFF (ancestor of troff) doesn’t appear to have had macros. I’ve heard that Forth documentation was produced using a formatter written in Forth, that let the user switch between documet text and Forth code, but idk the dates or specific for this. Anyway I’m sure PUB was influential but the idea of markup languages with macros certainly wasn’t unique to it.

How would bearers of unwelcome news perceive their task if they understood that, upon breaking such news in a tender and supportive manner, the distress the recipient will inevitably feel will enable them to frame their response to the situation?

When we engage in a tender conversation with somebody, we create a safe place for them to suffer. We don’t cause their suffering, but we can accompany and support them in it.