Re: a lost nail
Tim O'Connor (tim@roughdraft.org)
Tue, 27 Jan 1998 13:05:42 -0600
> Never losing sight for one moment of our gracious & wise host -
> & his ordinance against stylistic disputes - I can only report
> that, but for Malcolm drawing attention to it, I would certainly
> have missed Jim's recommendation of the Calvino book. In my
> ignorance, I assumed he was making some arcane poetic allusion
> that sounded vaguely reminiscent of Frost or De la Mare.
Hi, Scottie! I see no reason why anyone who makes a remark here should be
subject to nitpicking about their spelling or punctuation. People here, as
I see it, shouldn't feel that they are in a Roman arena, on the verge of
being tossed out to play with the lions, if they should be a little too
casual. I like to think that one can better contribute by setting an
example of clarity and grace. (The way you do.)
As someone (like Will and D. and you and quite a few others whose names
escape me) who takes language and its use quite seriously, I leave a lot of
room for looseness here -- casual style is a cultural hallmark of email.
Yes, it's annoying at times to decipher a sloppy phrase, but the goal most
people have here is to conduct a discussion. I know that these seem to be
at odds with each other (style vs. content), but I'd suggest that the most
constructive thing you can do is privately mail the person about your
objections. On the other hand, your public remarks about literature have
been valuable and constructive -- which I appreciate.
And at any rate, the business of fighting in public is what I have tried to
discourage, and will continue to do. I'd rather not see new people feel
that they have to walk a gauntlet to join in the discussions.
--tim
P.S. If you don't mind my asking: where are you geographically, in using
indigo.ie? That's idle curiosity, and you can send it privately if you
prefer.