Multiple Topics & Stuff

John A Swartz jswartz at MBUNIX.MITRE.ORG
Thu Nov 30 09:12:42 EST 1995


Dr. Bob writes:

>1. As much as I respect John (and John, I really do), I have to vote for
multiple topics.

Well, you're entitled to your opinion whether you respect me or not -- I'm
not offended by people disagreeing with me.


>4. An observation here:  Recently, I've seen way too many smiley faces,
IMHOs, and other politically correct stuff here.  Now class, we musn't
misbehave or Dr. Bob will make you sit on your CPU and write on the wall 100
times "I will not use smileys in BOC-L, or I will go straight to hell."


As as big of an offender of that, well I will give my opinions on the
subject -- I use smiley 'cuz I *LIKE* to use smileys, and if the damn
things offend anyone, well too fucking bad - is that politically incorrect
for you all?  ;-)  (so there)  But really, I think of them as a good
tool when writing/e-mail becomes a mode of conversation.  Quite frankly,
I'm pretty gullible and thick-headed and often don't catch what people
really mean (e.g. sarcasm) when they just write it.  If I was having a
face to face conversation (or even a phone conversation for that matter
where I can hear variations in the tone of one's voice), I'd better
understand that.  So, for me, smiley's serve a useful function.  Also,
it's just not in my nature to be pissing people off, so if I think I've
written something that might be misconstrued, I'll use a smiley.  Maybe
most of you get my meaning without it there, but I like to be sure.
Lastly, I've been using "IMHO" a bit these days because -- well, due
to the volume I send out on this list, and due to the fact that I've
acquired a certain wealth of knowlege on BOC in my efforts to do the
FAQ, I may have give the impression to some on this list that I'm some
sort of "authority" here.  Well, I'm not - I'm just another random BOC
fan who likes to talk about stuff, and has various tastes in music.
And, I had enough time on my hands (at least I did at the time) to
undertake the project (which, I did as much for my own personal reason,
that being it allowed me to learn alot more about my favorite band).
It has nothing to do with being "politically correct" -- I HATE the
whole idea of being PC.  However, I do believe in being reasonably
polite, and I try to make what I have to say as clear as possible
(sometimes perhaps those two things are mutually exclusive, but that'
is life).

>5. Back to #1, an additional thought about multiple topics:  When you have a
list that is so damn specific, there is only so much you can talk about
without repeating yourself.


Well, this is true -- but I think some would agree with me that perhaps
if there's nothing to say about BOC/Hawkwind (or related) matters, than
BOC-L members should not just talk about other topics for the sake of
talking.  I think repeating stuff is only needed to fill in a new
member on what has happened - but only a summary - we don't need to
regurgitate an entire thread over and over (and that was also a
motiviation for the FAQ).  But, if there's no new stuff on the list
bands to talk about, then we don't need to all chime in on our
opinions of other topics, just to keep the list volume at 50 messages
a day.

O.K., 'nuff said by me.

John



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