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
Dear me, an academic dissertation blossoms when one least expects it... reminds me of Max, The Blue Meanie.
This topic has fascinated scholars and provided fodder for Graduate Degrees in Sociology and Communications for many years now.
For those who may doubt Ross's observations, I would direct you to a number of Theses, Dissertations, and Academic Presentations on this exact subject since the early days of "sf-lovers" on the ARPAnet!
What is much more interesting today than the use of flame-retardant underwear on mailing lists is the advent and impact of Blogging. Quite frankly, I'm surprised that we haven't seen a dramatic rise in Blogging here in University City. One would assume it to be an area ripe for it.
T.T.F.N. William H. Magill # Beige G3 - Rev A motherboard - 768 Meg # Flat-panel iMac (2.1) 800MHz - Super Drive - 768 Meg # PWS433a [Alpha 21164 Rev 7.2 (EV56)- 64 Meg]- Tru64 5.1a [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
