According to a recent study*, there is a simple reason why text-based communication is so likely to get people bent out of shape -- we are only 50% likely to tell whether or not a text message is serious or sarcastic. Add to that the fact that we generally assume others will understand our tone, and that we usually (90% of the time) assume that we have correctly interpreted the message we have read, and you get a recipe for FLAME WARS.
Not surprising at all, but interesting still.
*seriously -- how many silly things have I seen following the words "according to a recent study"?
Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
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posted
Rule #173 for Internet (text) Communication: "Start with the assumption that the other person is just being sarcastic".
Posts: 1154 | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
Yet anothe reason why sarcasm, in general, just isn't a good idea.
I often fail to perceive sarcasm.
While always assuming that the other person is being sarcastic might, numbers wise, be the more correct thing to do, I don't think I could bring myself to do it. It's like assuming that everybody is an idiot -- I'd usually be right, but I'd have to sacrifice part of my humanity in order to do so.
Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
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posted
mph, you may always assume I'm being sarcastic, unless I'm not. And you can pretty much always assume I'm an idiot.
Posts: 880 | Registered: Nov 2005
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quote:mph, you may always assume I'm being sarcastic
Not gonna happen.
quote:I hadn't noticed.
:pirate:
I demand you take me sarcastically! Oh, wait, I just remembered I'm apathetic. Take my meaning anyway that suits you.
Posts: 880 | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
Rule #124 for internet (text) Communication: If you're attempting to avoid flame wars, assume the other guy's trying to be nice (failing, possibly, but trying).
If you have any other assumption, you will interpret anything said in the worst possible way and so on until you reach a situation akin to playing with matches in a napalm factory.
Posts: 354 | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
Written sarcasm should be banned. It pisses me off when I post something serious and one responds with stupid sarcasm that goes right over my head anyway.
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
My defence for that, Syn, is that I refuse to every feel bad for believing that somebody means what they say. Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
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You know, it's actually fun intentionally misinterpreting people. I might have to try this in real life. Until someone kills me.
Posts: 880 | Registered: Nov 2005
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