From: cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu (CHRISTOPHER J DCOSTA)
Subject: Re: Tired of Tai
Originator: cjdcosta@zepplin.ece.ncsu.edu
Reply-To: cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu (CHRISTOPHER J DCOSTA)
Organization: North Carolina State University, Project Eos
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 01:40:44 GMT


franklin@ug.cs.dal.ca (Steve Franklin) with some insightful thinking:

>   You see, I believe that Tai has been responsible for some of the more
>interesting and fascinating threads that have visited this group. Although
>you certainly don't agree with him, and you certainly don't respect his
>contributions, you still muster up the energy to reply to his posts. In
>turn, this leads to some brilliant articles that would have otherwise been
>overlooked.


That's somewhat true. To expand on your hypothesis, I think the best articles
will be generated when the authors feel strongly enough about an issue, and 
commit time and effort towards making a thoughtful post. Which often implies 
that the topic's controversial enough to generate some heat as well. Sometimes 
though, heat is the stimulant, not the byproduct - as in the Tai case.


>  Perhaps at this point someone should address the purpose of
>rec.org.mensa. I have been trying to find a thread which interested me, and
>be a little more patient before posting again. Why? I'd rather not irk the
>super-mensa-pompous-powers that be, such as Steinway and Dynamo. 


That's a very interesting point you make, and I wonder if there are others 
who feel similarly intimidated. Personally I doubt Dynamo ;-) or Mike or 
anyone else would use you for target practice- not unless you paint concentric
stripes all over yourself and go around giving away darts.


>But, I
>can't suppress my complaints that you people are slipping into that trend of 
>trying to nurture or control the direction of the newsgroup. You have every
>right to ignore that which you do not like, post that which you feel like,
>and to unsubscribe to any group which is not of your liking. However,
>instead it seems like you hope to achieve results through public whining and
>childish displays of "I want answers, but I provide no solutions.


To me these appear to be puerile displays all right, but of a very adult nature
- forgive the contradiction. I think that controlling the direction of the
newsgroup is the last thing on these folks' minds. Don't you see the 
holier-than-thou aspect, this attempt to appear as the LoneVoiceOfReason on
what might appear to be an increasingly insane group. So of course they must
be shocked at the going-ons and play the schoolteacher.  

Personally, I'm quite flattered that some would try so hard to impress the 
rest of us idiots on ROM. It seems that some people do think highly of Mensa 
after all. Well, here's some advice : If you have nothing to say, then say 
nothing (With apologies to whoever I stole that from, sorry, I forget) Also
apologies to those on both sides who feel insulted by those sweeping 
generalizations. No it's not bad aim, just too many bullseyes these days.


>  In summary, I'd like to propose a little theory. This is not intended to
>nourish or supplement anyone's ego, but to present a possibility for you to
>suppress, ignore, or condone. I have found that some of the more creative,
>intelligent, and original individuals on USENET have often been the least
>accepted or appreciated. Any reasons why? Or do you disagree with my
>hypothesis from the start? 


Yes. I can't think of anyone who would match the above description. 


>In turn, it presents another question:
> 
>  Now that electronic media is beginning to present itself within our
>society in so many ways, is this setting a dangerous precedent? Electronic
>media takes away from the spontaneity of conversive discourse, and levels
>off the intellectual differences between individuals. Take an example: One
>individual, Ted - writes his post in 3 minutes, and it comes across as a
>superb array of literary delights, and present some intelligent conclusions.
>Then, we have Joe, who takes an hour and a half, relies purely on his
>thesaurus, various editing maneuvers, etc... Do you see the difference? All
>of a sudden, a new form of communication has reduced two men to equal
>platforms, when they otherwise would nto. Imagine Joe and Ted in person: the
>differences would be overwhelming between the two. Sort of a merger of
>Einstein and Orwell for instance...


Well, it's difficult to imagine anyone making posts "relying purely on their 
thesaurus". Use a word out of context, at least on ROM, and see how many people
will forgive you. As for the time factor, well, I really don't think that's 
likely to help with the quality of a post, though it's likely to enhance 
clarity and focus. On the other hand I hope - for his own sake - that Eric 
doesn't edit his posts, seeing their volume and profusion :-) the quality too 
is very much there, even if not everyone will agree with the style. I once 
heard an old saying (Confucius?) that went like this: "The dull and the 
ignorant strive to appear smart, the wise man is not afraid to act the fool...". 

Thanks for the post, hopefully we'll now have something better to talk about.