Wow, he really put
us in our place, Jonathan Cass. We are "old ladies." I haven't been
this publicaly embarrassed by Ross Bender since the discussion of how in China,
after the war, the first thing they did was kill all the
dogs.
(For the record, I
don't think anybody cares about civility REALLY... people like biting and
scratching and flame humping. We just care about hundreds of new emails
after a week of absence--I should have gone on vacation after the Hack filming
crew was gone--and also about, you know, how some of us have jobs to do at work
and stuff and are afraid of getting fired for, you know, reading email all
day. So it bears repeating: if you have a one liner to say to somebody,
like, "Good one, Ross," or "Bring it on," or "You suck, lady," consider sending
it to that individual just to cut down on the sheer qty. of emails in the old
inbox. Thank you for your consideration.)
:o) <----- [happy emoticon
indicates goodwill and no-offense-intended attitude towards fellow listserve
people.]
Elisabeth
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2003 9:25 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [UC] Say Amen Somebody
For those truly interested in patterns of electronic discourse, we have recently experienced a sort of net climax, with the Hack mail reaching frightening proportions, a feverish pitch, going way over the top, and culminating in disgusting personal attacks. This is known in the discipline as a "flame hump".
What happens next is that people nervously turn to what they imagine are the basic concerns of "the list" -- who can I use to do my hardwood floors, clean my storm drains, shine my shoes, etc. This tends to be followed by a "post-flame hump" where the really motivated ones try to get it up again and try for a second or "multiple" climaxes.
Next, the old ladies (and I use this term with all due respect, figuratively, and with no disrepect particularly to Mr. Cass) start gabbing about list netiquette. "WELL I NEVER. *Such* behavior! I saw something nasty in the woodshed! (BTW if you can identify this last syndrome I'll give you a free ticket to the 13-hour performance of Satyagraha to be played out in front of emstern's house -- bonus points if you can identify the composer of Satyagraha, 3 points if you can name the three figures eulogized in the opera). IF THIS KEEPS UP I'M GONNA HAFTA CANCEL MY SUBSCRIPTION! "This is the stage of "meta-discussion", or "mennopause", which can also occur periodically in minicycles during any stage of list discourse. In fact some scholars insist that e-discourse follows with uncanny precision the rhythms of the menstrual cycle.
Then everybody shuts the bleep up and returns to their quilting, whatever, until a new wave of hysteria is ready to climax in wan beeg orgasmic hump.
Ross Bender
http://rossbender.org
In a message dated 9/22/2003 5:06:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I have noticed that as well. With all due respect, some of y'all talk too much. Maybe next time you address an email to the entire listserve, consider if it would be better addressed to a single individual (especially if you have a personal issue with that individual). Every time I go away for a couple of days, I have a hundred and fifty emails in my box, and it's very daunting.
Thanks,
Elisabeth
-----Original Message-----
From: Jonathan Cass [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2003 4:08 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [UC] Tone of Discourse
The tone of discourse on this list serve has recently taken a decidedly
nasty turn for the worst. Supposed political affiliations are being
generalized and impugned, and I have noticed an increasing trend in personal
attacks.
I would request that participants try to be more civil.
Jonathan A. Cass
Silverman, Bernheim &Vogel
Two Penn Center Plaza, Suite 910
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Tel: 215-636-4435
Fax: 215-636-3999
E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
This electronic message contains information from the law firm of Silverman
Bernheim &Vogel which may be confidential or privileged. This information
is intended for the use of the individual or entity named above.
If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure,
copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information is
prohibited.
If you have received this electronic transmission in error, please notify
use immediately by telephone, 215-569-0000, or by e-mail reply.
I second this Amen. I cannot fathom why people actually take the time
to make offensive personal characterizations of members of the listserve --
and to communicate these to the entire listserve, AS IF we were all
hungry to read abusive language directed at our neighbors.
There are lots of real issues and news to be discussed. Why not focus on
these rather than seeking to demean and insult other members of our community?
I don't see how these slurs and unpleasant insinuations get us anywhere.
(And, speaking just for myself, once I encounter such, I discount other
communications sent by the persons resorting to such crude ad hominem attacks.)
I, for one, would like people to send me "Thank You" notes, because of
all the really _nasty_ stuff I _haven't_ posted.
Ross Bender
http://rossbender.org
