Multiple Topics & Stuff

[Paul Mather]

On Thu, 30 Nov 1995, Robert Kohl wrote:

> 3. Rudy writes about Hendrix:
> >>>stuff deleted<<<
> People couldn't keep up with Jimi because they lacked his "vision,"
> >>>stuff deleted<<<
> They also lacked his variety of drugs.

Are you always this full of shit, Dr. Troll?  Or have we caught you on a
gala day?

> 4. An observation here:  Recently, I've seen way too many smiley faces,
> IMHOs, and other politically correct stuff here.  Now class, we musn't
> misbehave or Dr. Bob will make you sit on your CPU and write on the wall 100
> times "I will not use smileys in BOC-L, or I will go straight to hell."

Deal with it, and get over it.

I'm getting sick of your own brand of political correctness that dictates
that all people should post according to your preferred style.  If people
want to insert smileys, IMHO's, or whatever, then that's their business.
Tough luck if it brings a tear to your eye.  People normally put those
things into postings out of commonsense and pragmatics: they realise the
inflection bandwidth of e-mail is limited, and so if a simple "IMHO" can
avoid touching off a flame war, then it has served its purpose well.  It
is a sad fact that not everyone is as "enlightened" as you, and
misunderstandings easily creep into e-mail.  The abrasive posting style
you advocate is a sure-fire way to lower the signal to noise ratio of this
(or any) list.

If you don't like this immutable truth of the ages, then you can cheerfully
fuck off and die.

> 5. Back to #1, an additional thought about multiple topics:  When you have a
> list that is so damn specific, there is only so much you can talk about
> without repeating yourself.  So, I personally don't mind all the off-topic
> stuff because just think how boring things would be if every message had to
> focus solely on BOC.  As new people join up, there is naturally going to be a
> repetition of topics.  I look at it as new opportunities for the doctor to
> strike.

Yeah, this last sentence just about sums it up.  If you are so bored,
then join more lists, or hang out in alt.flame (unless you already do).
Topicality isn't just a random attribute of a list; it's there for a
reason.  Think hard enough and you might figure it out.

Cheers,

Paul.

obCD: The Bevis Frond, _Superseeder_

e-mail: paul at csgrad.cs.vt.edu                    A stranger in a strange land.