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On the whole, I agree. Logic is a much better way to make a point than yelling & screaming & shouting & swearing (especially if the intent is to convince, rather than intimidate). However, there are occassions when very precisely placed 4-letter words can make or break the tempo of a well-constructed (or even lyrical) piece of prose. I think an outright condemnation of such vocabulary is not the solution. Like many culinary spices, these words can greatly enhance the "flavor" of certain kinds of messages (humorous ones, in particular). On the other hand, also like the the spices, using too much can completely ruin the food (or, in this case, "food for thought"). When possible, implied swear words (e.g., "fit hits the shan" and "duck's flying copulation") are much more effective tools, so should probably be used whenever possible (so as not to corrupt the young 'uns). Aloha, Rich On Thu, 28 Nov 1996 HOLTZHAM@mp*.es*.co*.za* wrote: > On Thu, 28 Nov 1996 11:16:43 -0300 (GMT) > Martin Horn wrote: > > Subject: language > > > Once a person runs out of valid arguments he or she shouts. When the voice > > is not loud enough or if it is in writing, offensive language is used. This > > does not convince anybody anymore than the argument but rather stops most > > people from listening or like me from reading. Unfortunatelly this service > > suffers from to many messages without a valid argument and the argument is > > put across by the use of offensive language. The appropriate use policy > > should be a guide line and those that can not convince by logic should stop > > using the service or be prepared to be answered by someone that does not > > trash the message after wading through the first few unacceptable > > expresions. Discussion does not need foul language. > > > My few pennies worth - 10 out of 10 for you Martin! Now I know there > are divers out there with a vocabulary of more than twenty words. > > I wonder if their mothers, if they have, :-), would approve of the > language they use? > > Keep on diving, > Michael Holtzhausen > Tel +27 11 800 4336 > Fax +27 11 800 2779 > -- > Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@terra.net'. > Send subscription/archive requests to `techdiver-request@terra.net'. > Richard Pyle Ichthyology, Bishop Museum 1525 Bernice St. Honolulu, HI 96817-0916 PH: (808) 848-4115 / FAX: (808) 841-8968 email: deepreef@bi*.bi*.ha*.or*
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