Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!wuarchive!swbatl!uusgta
From: uusgta@swbatl.UUCP (4237)
Newsgroups: news.admin
Subject: Re: The Dynamics of Debate on USENET
Message-ID: <822@swbatl.UUCP>
Date: 27 Sep 89 20:55:39 GMT
References: <35033@apple.Apple.COM> <46115@bbn.COM> <35037@apple.Apple.COM> <1989Sep27.175601.5363@ladc.bull.com>
Reply-To: uusgta@swbatl.UUCP (Tom Adams ISO 5-4237)
Organization: Southwestern Bell Tele. Co. - Advanced Technology Lab - St. Louis
Lines: 39

>In article <35037@apple.Apple.COM> chuq@Apple.COM (Chuq Von Rospach) writes:
>>o Discuss the posting, not the poster.
>>o Stick to the discussion.
>>o If the discussion isn't getting anywhere, then drop it.
>>o If it's already been said, don't say it again.
>>o If you're the minority viewpoint and you're not going to persuade people,
>>  then be gracious and get out of the way of the majority, even if you know

To which should be added:

	If what bothers you is style, presentation, spelling, grammar, 
	immaturity, pomposity, tenacity in pummelling a dead horse,
	general cranio-rectosis of the poster, or the look of
	someone's id, *use mail first*.

You get the same relief, you get to say all those great phrases you thought
of while reading that drivel, and you minimize the downside.  They probally
will get dozens of replies just like yours, which can only help future
behavior.  You change your worst case to one angry reply that makes you 
feel like a jerk (possibly a law suit if you pick the right net personage
... but they'll lose).

It's usually easy to misunderstand the point, overreact, or got baited by
someone better at being a public jerk. If what you really wanted was to get
noticed by the well washed net.masses there are easier, more effective
alternatives. 

Repeatedly generate your own original copywritten message in all caps.
Mention automatic handguns, abortion, soviet access to the net and the fact
that you know of a better price for that baby sealskin coat than the one
posted in misc.forsale. (...hmm.. did I miss any good ones?)

I guarantee you'll get a full mailbox.

Just another fun loving lurker,
-- 
#	---Tom Adams---	| uunet!swbatl!uusgta or uusgta@swbatl.swbt.com
# I collect pre-1930 wireless, electrical and scientific books.
# opinions... Opinions? I can have opinions here? Who said so?