Posted by Mikko on December 28, 2000 at 01:21:38:
In Reply to: Re: Clutter and stuff (to Matches and Emily) posted by Matches on December 27, 2000 at 23:12:36:
: As I understand it, you seem to be the only one who can read them "fluently."
Actually, janis can too. Read her message in this thread, she says basically what I think too.
If they are done purposely, then he should stop, no matter what the reason is... I can't think of any reason for posting in the manner that he does, other than just plain stupid mischief. And if that's the reason, then it IS just taking up space, because it's not meant to be taken for face value.
What I don't get is why you think they are written that way in order to make them hard to read, as mischief. If I used that kind of style, it would be to add individuality to the messages. Another reason could be that it's spontaneous typing, just getting it out from your head without thinking too much about what it looks like written. Hell, there are people who would consider it verbal art, I'm sure about that. And when it comes to taking things at the face value, that's just what those messages are about! Taking it at the face value without trying to express anything really 'deep' or 'though provoking', unlike what most posters here try to do.
: But my question is, does it really need to be done that way? What is gained by posting in a style which makes one read aloud (and often times, 5 times over) just to get a vague understanding of just the words that are being written?
I'm sorry, I still don't understand what is so difficult about it.
I'm assuming that NOTHING is gained by it, but if Ferrantino wants to contest that assumption, I'm willing to listen. (With the aid of a translator, if necessary) ;)
Well, individuality, at least.
: No, not necessarily style... but I don't think it's hard an educated decision regarding the motives of a poster when writing in such a style that is deliberately contrived to be confusing....
In the end, no one asks you to read it. What if someone posts something in a foreign languge? Should that be removed as well, because you don't understand it? And you haven't really proved any bad and hideous motives behind that style. Honestly, I can't see what such motives could be.
I don't see how it's much different than posting in morse code or some other strange thing like that. I'm not saying that we prohibit everything but standard english here... I'm just saying that when it's obvious when a person's prose is designed to be more difficult for the average reader to understand than it could be (as it is in this specific case), then the integrity of that person's motives for making the posts (and the relevance of the content thereof) has to be called into question. And that's what I'm basing my value-judgement (of deleting the posts) on.
This is bordering absurdity. Just because someone posts in a style that is a bit hard to read, on a messageboard for chatty messages, the integrity of his motives is questionable? In what way? And why? It isn't exactly a crime to to write in anything but the most clear and precise way.
I'm basing my judgement on logic. Are those messages full of slander? No. Are those messages flames? No. Are they worthless, lacking any content? No.
So there is no reason to delete them. This situation reminds me of a scene in the cartoon series King Of The Hill. The son of the family, Bobby, asks his father: 'Dad, why do you always hate everything you don't understand?'
:Gosh, I feel like I'm writing a dissenting opinion in a supreme court case...
Because I'm not letting you slide away any easier, because I think your opinion is purely subjective and opposite to good judgement.
:Anyway, that's how I stand... If he really cares that much, Ferrantino is very welcome to email me and explain the reasons for his unusual and distracting diction. And maybe I sound patronizing or whatever, but I'm serious. I hate working, and I hate my life when I'm not working, so what the hell else better do I have to do?
In return, you can explain to us all why you want to curb his individuality.
Mikko
: Matches