Effect of MisMarked Damper +5 degrees?

Was looking at old posts and if the damper in this post 0,s at 5* atdc wouldnt he always be setting the timing retarded instead of advanced or am I missing something?

Think of 34* as 2.125 inches from 0 on the dampener/timing cover. If 0 is actually 5* retarded then he`s been setting his timing closer to 2.75" from actual zero (-5*) or closer to 39*btdc. It is a bit confusing.