>>1
Firstly, what does John Rhodes say about using two periods?
Secondly, using two spaces to end a sentence is a long-standing formatting option for English text. The spacing used in WRITING English has always used a bit wider spacing between sentences. This standard was adopted for typewriting and become the two spaces we've become used to.
But, lazy types like to omit that 2nd space, since we live in the Lazy Age (check out "texting" and its predecessor chat rooms). That's the sole reason for why people think that the standard has changed or is changing. But it really hasn't. Official English sentences are demarcated in writing with a slightly wider spacing, and in typewriting with two spaces. "PERIOD."
Your scholarship is suspect. But that's only to be expected from one in the Lazy Age.
>>2
No, he merely stepped on his own dick, and the wild windmilling of his arms when he struggled to retain his balance, only gave the impression that he was reaching out to slap.