Re: [tlug] Perceiving Hostility . . . . . . . . . . . (was Re: Modprobe error)

[Scott Robbins <scottro@example.com>]

A note from your friendly moderator (hrrm, does that imply that Josh is
an unfriendly one?)

As that article Jim mentions says, it's very very easy to misinterpret
the tone of an email. Having known Godwin for years, and seeing his
patience, I suspect that the remark was not intended to be
hostile--there are times he can be brusque, as indeed, we can all be.



> > >

[from Jim]
> 
> I don't see hostility in what Godwin wrote, 
> just him calling you on what you said. 
> 
>    http://www.itmanagersjournal.com/article.pl?sid=06/02/02/2129251
> 
> Perceiving hostility is risky. Read this: 
> 
>    http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,70179-0.html?tw=wn_index_2
> 
> Of course, I could be wrong. Godwin could have meant to be 
> hostile and Godwin could set me straight by stating such. 
> 
> > I don't think I'm "refusing" to do things in some kind of childish 
> > reactive manner.
> 
> Perhaps you missed Godwins point. 
> 

I think so, also the fact that he has taken time to give you some
answers here.  


So, ok, everyone group hug.  Dave, don't feel singled out.  As Linux
becomes more newcomer friendly, many lists that were once fairly hard
core tech have accepted, and I like to think in tlug's case, welcomed,
those who, as I once brilliantly phrased it, those to whom computers are
a means to an end rather than an end in themselves.  As long as those
people show that they are willing to make an effort, I think most of us
accept statements like yours that there is only so much work you are
willing to put into it.  (Hrrm, now I'm paranoid about sounding
pejorative--hopefully, my meaning is clear.)

Even those of us who find the computer an end in itself sometimes post,
I'm only willing to put X amount of effort into this.  (For example, I
feel that way whenever I have a new problem with CUPS.)  

I think Godwin was simply pointing out (I haven't followed the thread
closely, just glanced from time to time) that you didn't want to get
involved in some higher level reconfiguration--your reasons struck me,
and I suspect him, as reasonable---hrrm, forgive the tortured syntax but
it's late here).  

Jim, thanks for those links--I had no idea that there was such a high
percentage of misinterpretation of email.  I always blamed it on the
reader.  :)



-- 

Scott Robbins

PGP keyID EB3467D6
( 1B48 077D 66F6 9DB0 FDC2 A409 FA54 EB34 67D6 )
gpg --keyserver pgp.mit.edu --recv-keys EB3467D6

What exactly does buildworld build anyway?  If it really does
build the world then there's the mother of all bug reports to file
somewhere!  (It's a FreeBSD joke)