From: mtaranto@shearson.com (Mark Taranto)
Subject: RE: excellent reading!
Organization: Yale CS Mail/News Gateway
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 00:14:45 GMT


hhenderson@vax.clarku.edu (Heather) writes:
 
> Well, the quaint phrase Mr. Maddox used -- "fuck off and die" -- indicated to
> me that he was angry.  I've occasionally used the similar phrases "fuck off"
> and "eat shit and die", but only 1) when I've been really mad, or 2) when
> kidding around with close friends, in which case I smile, so the intent is
> clear.
 
Heather assumes that because she feels a certain way when acting in a certain
way that others must react similarly?  And she thinks that it is the REST
of r.a.b which is self-absorbed?
 
To use Fiona's phrase, I'm going to go META here for a moment.
 
This so called "inner circle" that Heather says is so self absorbed is an
amorphous creature.  I suspect that the way to become part of this inner
circle is to post more than other people.
 
In many ways, Heather is there.  This was validated by her inclusion in
Marko's list of characters in his "Playboy of the USENET."  I see a great
diversity among those who post frequently.  There are those with whom I've
corresponded, and those with whom I have not.  I admire some, and don't
think very often about some of the others.  While some are occasionally
annoying, none have made me angry -- because people who do not know me and
make assumptions solely based on what they see here are not well informed
enough to make me angry.
 
But if someone is snotty to me or makes what I take as a personal remark,
I will respond.  I might even say something that might make them think I
am angry.  But what I am is annoyed or even amused.
 
It is true that the longer we are here, the more we become familiar with
others.  This is certainly true of the people whom we have met or write
to regularly via e-mail -- but it is even true of others with whom we
have less contact.  For example, I've learned that M Z and a certain
gentleman in Australia are not apt to care if I think something they
wrote was offensive.  Therefore, I won't tell them.  I somehow thing
that Heather DOES care, and that is why I am responding now.
 
So -- to Heather:
 
        I do not approve of Tom Maddox telling you to
        Fuck off and Die, just because you were snotty to
        him.  And I do not approve of you being snotty to
        him just because you THOUGHT he was being snotty
        to someone else.
 
That is my opinion, and from the number of responses in this thread,
I suspect that it is the opinion of a number of other individuals.
 
My approval might not be something you seek.  But if I were you, I'd
be wondering just what it was *I* was doing that invokes the kind
of response you are getting.  It is not because we are defending Tom,
that is for sure.  Most of us (even those of us who like Tom) have, at
one point or another registered our displeasure at some thing that he
has said.  And even so, Tom is perfectly capable of taking care of
himself.
 
> ObBook -- The Virginian, by Owen Wister
 
Heather likes to picture herself as the gun-slinger, protecting the little
guy.  Well -- it isn't working.  If she thinks that we are too hard on
others, she ought to show us by example, not try to out-do us.
 
Mark
 
 
 
Xref: sparky rec.arts.books:22809 sci.philosophy.tech:4591