Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site pucc-k
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!CS-Mordred!Pucc-H:Pucc-I:Pucc-K:agz
From: agz@pucc-k (Andrew Banta)
Newsgroups: net.flame,net.news,net.misc
Subject: Re: Flaming being studied at CMU
Message-ID: <387@pucc-k>
Date: Thu, 4-Oct-84 11:08:07 EDT
Article-I.D.: pucc-k.387
Posted: Thu Oct  4 11:08:07 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 6-Oct-84 04:45:07 EDT
References: <737@u1100a.UUCP>
Organization: Alcohol Design and Application Corp.
Lines: 38



> "Computer buffs call it 'flaming.'  Now scientists are
> documenting and trying to explain the surprising prevalence
> of rudeness, profanity, exultation and other emotional
> outbursts by people when they carry on discussions via
> computer."

I really don't think they need to do a study on this unless all they
want to do is waste their money. I can think of two VERY obvious reasons
why flaming is so prevalent on a computer.

First of all, take a look at the average age of the people on the net.
It seems to me that the younger you are, the more likely you are to want
to argue your point and try to prove to others you're right. If you want
an even better crtieria, look at the psychological and emotional age of
the people on the net. A few noted examples could very possibly pull
this down to around two. (Note: I think most people are able to act
their age.) I also think that people will bring up controversial issues
just for the hell of it, to keep things fun ...

Secondly, it's just my opinion, but I tend to think that the computer
field is rather competetive. And what other way to have fun than compete
on something that has nothing to do with computers, eh? I mean why
waste vlauable knowledge on computers when you can waste it on other
people, right? I find it fun to try to mathc wits with other people, and
I think they feel the same way. Face it, CMU, flaming is fun!

Now do you really need a study to tell you why you flame?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy Banta			{decvax!allegra!inhp4}!pucc-k!agz
Alcohol Design and Application Corp. --- Serving people over 21 years.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Far away, across the filed, the tolling of the iron bell
 Calls the faithful to their knees to hear the softly spoken magic spell"