[etni] a bit of clarification

From: "David Lloyd" <david@xxxxxxxx>
To: "ETNI" <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 22 May 2010 17:21:37 +0300
Hi all,

Just a bit of clarification about the use of sarcasm and irony in messages 
to ETNI, as there appears to be confusion here.

I think that the clever use of sarcasm and irony is an important literary 
skill, which often adds to the discussions. There has been no lack of 
sarcasm and irony in the discussion of the issues over the ETNI list these 
past 14 years. We even have our own brilliant resident satiricist, with his 
own ETNI column on the ETNI site and his regular contribution to the ETNI 
Rag.

But  let's not confuse sarcasm with abuse and cheap personal shots. When we 
talk about a professional discussion of the issues, we are speaking about an 
environment in which people can express themselves without fear of being 
personally abused for their opinions.

Unfortunately, there are people who become increasingly abusive when their 
views aren't readily accepted. In many forums on the Internet, such 
behaviour is a common phenomenon. But there is no room for it on the ETNI 
list. I have made this perfectly clear since the ETNI mailing list was first 
established 14 years ago. If there are those who want a discussion list 
which allows for a mud slinging free for all, they are welcome to create 
one. It is very easy to set up, nowadays. They can even announce the new 
list over ETNI so that they can reach people there who are interested in 
subscribing to the new list.

That said, I will continue to refuse messages to the list which contain 
personal abuse and will cease threads which become increasingly abusive.

I also want to make it clear that I welcome criticism of the way in which I 
run the ETNI list and the ETNI site. I am managing ETNI completely by myself 
on a daily basis, and as such, don't have the benefit of daily input from 
others. So feel free to send criticism and suggestions - either to me 
personally or for publication over the list.

Thanks,

David


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[etni] a bit of clarification

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