[Air-l] Reflections on flame wars.

[Danyel Fisher]

Jeremy:
> > I think that sometimes we might be thinking of flaming in a negative
> > context though, it can be, but really for some it is a highly polished
> > artform which has a variety of social purposes.  It takes a certain
> > skill with words to generate an applicable insult, and that should be
> > appreciated for what it is sometimes, but also it can be appreciated as
> > a way of normalizing a channel or newsgroup, etc.

David:
> I'm with Jeremy.  I'd also add that the existence of a full-throttled
> flamewar can be evidence of an online environment's maturity.  It takes
> a certain amount of committment (not to mention energy!) to flame.

I'm afraid I'd have to disagree, at least slightly. Yes, it's a sign of some
sort of emotional or social commitment. But there are well-crafted,
intelligent flames, and there are measly, dippy flames which indicate some
sort of breakdown of normal social controls and constraints.

Jeremy, your view is a little utopian. Yes, there are artistic, even elegant
flames that neatly defuse an argument while manically ranting about the
state of the world. But there are also flames that are simply obnoxious,
off-the-cuff responses to a message that is irritating.

Some have suggested it's a sign of over-maturity: as a group gets older, it
has a choice of strengthening social controls--having, for example, a corps
of people who can quickly send off-list responses to inappropriate posters,
perhaps even people who are willing to force cancel messages, to get rid of
objectionable content--or to degenerate into flame war.

Presented, for your approval, the first few hits on a Google Groups search
for idiot (god, I *love* that service[1])....
-----------------------------------------------
http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=fjf44usql02u1mobg146kitkeiqdlsdm3g%404a
x.com
[rec.sport.pro-wrestling]
"You can't read can you?
No where in his post does he confuse you with a simpsons character.
Look at the name of the guy he was replying to, his name is Krusty,
not the doctor of shit.
You really are an attention seeking little baby, now you're imagining
people are talking about you when they are talking about someone else.
All you did prove was that the bigger idiot in the subject header was
yourself."

http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=9n1lec%245b9%240%40dosa.alt.net

and "brainless"
http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=R2sr4.7034%24bz2.1320683%40tw12.nn.bcan
did.com
[misc.health.alternative]
*** Because magnets had a 100% FAILURE rate makes me "brainless?"  Remember
you called everyone who tries this alt.stuff *BRAINLESS.*   Are you going to
call my 3 friends who were silly enough to try magnets *BRAINLESS* too?
Perhaps you're BRAINLESS and need a head transplant to make you HONEST?  Now
there's an idea!!!!  :o)

http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=81fqj3%243rc%241%40nnrp1.deja.com
[soc.culture.algeria]
Your little post suggests to me that you are a brainless creature who
knows shit. You made me a jew and an anti sematic, arabist and anti
arab, Amazigh and anti Amazigh. All this khalouta in one post. Do you
see my point, brainless bou ass? Think, my little brainless

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[1] Sorry, danah.
http://www.danah.org/idcontrol/stopgoogle.html