On Tue, 26 Mar 91 16:33:31 EST <[log in to unmask]> said:
>If Fiona is soliciting votes as to whether she should continue puerile
>flaming on a network that purportedly exists for the exchange of information
>among reasonably mature individuals, then I vote no: I can take a joke and
>have a sense of humor better than most, but there is no room for rudeness.
>You might consider, Fiona, that with this medium, you are not there to arch
>an eyebrow, crack a smile, or give any other non-verbal indications of your
>intention--you lack even the freedom of vocal inflection.
>
Actually, I'm confused! What has Fiona's Puerile Flame Test got to do with
Neo-Marxist semiotics, and why are "reasonably mature individuals" who, by
their own admission, are able to take a joke better than most so upset about
it? Perhaps it's (gasp!) un-PC to post the verbal equivalent of a sneer. I
don't know. But don't stop now, academicians! This is the most fun I've had
in days ...
 
Joe Burch
Academic Computing Center
University of Virginia
 
P.S. Fiona, you can arch your eyebrows in my direction any time you want!