It's interesting: Face-to-Face conversation has all of the communication cues (words, tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, etc.) we evolved to interpret.
Phone conversations have tone of voice and the possibility of immediate correction of understandings. Letters (and often Email) are private and often between people who know each other. Letters had the further advantage of getting more attention since they required more time and effort to create, a difference often cited between 35 mm and MF photography (photo content, BTW). Lists like this are public, messages are created quickly, and the kind of relationships they create are a relatively new phenomena. They are much more prone to misunderstanding, especially since they are often international in nature. Of course, these are the features that also make them fun and educational. They are more of a community/village than a simple form of communication. Sorry. Classes start on Monday and I'm getting myself in the mood. . . Steven Desjardins Department of Chemistry Washington and Lee University Lexington, VA 24450 (540) 458-8873 FAX: (540) 458-8878 [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 08/30/02 03:29PM >>> Hi, Rob. Thanks for clarifying. In fact I've mizandastood your fisr post (precisely for the lack of a smiley or (g) indicator), and thought you were talking seriously. I was very upset (I don't enjoy free agression), but decided not to jump. I think smileys or (g)s are needed to avoid unhappy double interpretations. Sometimes we think we are clear enough, but it's because we know what we mean, but it's not necesarily clear for other people Regards nad nice weekend Albano Well, it was certainly meant as a joke. I just leave it up to the reader to figure that out - I thought it was obvious even without a "smiley face". How did we understand things (such as in satirical letters, or humorous letters-to-the-editor) before the internet smiley face? And how did we so suddenly lose this ability? On this list I once wrote that Canon users were scum and people thought I was serious because there was no smiley face! Not that he needs my endorsement but, in general, Albano Garcia's postings are some of the best reading on this list. Rob
