From: nikolay@husc10.harvard.edu (Philip Nikolayev)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.poems
Subject: Re: Mr. Nikolayev
Date: 18 Nov 92 22:04:18 GMT
Article-I.D.: husc10.NIKOLAY.92Nov18140418
Organization: The Kremlin Wall of Harvard
In-reply-to: jjwebb@cruzio.santa-cruz.ca.us's message of Tue, 17 Nov 92 02:31:36 PST

jjwebb@cruzio.santa-cruz.ca.us writes:

JJW
> After asking Philip Nikolayev to demonstrate that he could do more
> than foam at the mouth, nikolay@husc.harvard.edu writes:

PN
>> Sir or Madam,
>> I might indeed post and discuss a favourite poem, if asked, in a
>> nicer tone of voice,

JJW
> So tone is important to you ... it's important to me as well ...

No, your tone isn't important to me in the least; I'm simply
explaining to you why I am not going to honour your request.

JJW
> I'll wager it's important to most everyone that reads this group.
> You MIGHT respond favorably to a nicer tone ... that seems right. I
> suppose someone with sociopathic tendencies might not be able to
> extrapolate from this a useful rule for functioning within a
> traditional society. What do you suppose?

I suppose that only a very muddled thinker makes no distinction
between traditional society and a forgettable little subculture.

PN
>> by someone who signed his or her full name under the message.

JJW
> JJ (pronounced JayJay) ain't enough syllables for you? Same number
> as in Philip. I am hardly anonymous ... and it ain't a pen name.
> Just the name dad gave me, probably because he didn't like the name
> Philip as much as he liked the name JJ. In this society I am
> jjwebb@cruzio.santa-cruz.ca.us, and that 'full name' is in the
> header, on the 'From:' line, in every message I send.

Ok, and what is your sex, if I may ask? The 'From:' lihe says
nothing about that.

PN
>> Besides, given the context of your request,

JJW
> What context do you think you see? Is your angle of preception any
> larger than the last few paragraphs? Is your horizon line against
> your nose or out at basho's pond?

It's none of your frigging business what context I think I see.

PN
>> I would expect you to present some credentials,

JJW
> Credentials? To be curious? Asked for by someone who claims the
> goals of "full humanity" and "the good life" as his motivating
> force? Hmm ... I assume my social security card number won't do.
> Perhaps if you told me which identity card you're looking for I
> might be able to find it in the darker recesses of my wallet.

You may well get lost, for all I care.

PN
>> because I see no point in proving that I am not this week's rabid
>> dog to someone who may well be, for all I know, the mangy rat of
>> yesteryear.

JJW
> So who a person is and what they have done in the past, is an
> important factor in determining your discourse with that individual.

No, but it's absolutely essential to the fulfillment of your request.

JJW
> That seems right.  Although, not completely right. I suppose someone
> with sociopathic tendencies might not be able to extrapolate from
> this a useful rule for functioning within a traditional society.
> What do you suppose?

I suppose you are repeating yourself, Sherlock. Look up 'society'
and 'cesspool'. See the difference?

>                 JJWebb

I hope that you will get lost; but should it itch you to respond,
please avoid selective editing.

Philip Nikolayev
nikolay@husc.harvard.edu
Newsgroups: rec.arts.poems