On 10/01/07, Jason King <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > This list is getting a bit silly. Pronunciation and Xmas cards and IT > discussions are surely not what this list is for but that's what's filling > up my inbox these days. > > Could we all resist the urge to go wildly off-topic. If you want to chat > off-topic, how about emailing the person you want to discuss whatever with > and carry on your chat elsewhere?
Hey, nice one, Jason! We haven't had this debate about off-topic subjects for ...oh... at least a month or so. Still, I guess it'll avoid us talking about canals. Let me take you through what to expect now. The list will quickly divide into on-topic purists like yourself who want to talk about nothing except lock mechanism or pubs on the T&M, and liberals like me who, pompous purveyors of hysteria as substitute for argument, who have come realise there's no way of shutting up the sort of hysterical, pompous egos the list attracts, barring kicking them off completely. There will be much talk of free speech. Many angry outbursts by who feel that their views on climate change/international economics/American imperialism are perfectly legitimate topics with which to burden us as we plan our summer cruises. Some will debate the topic with earnestness, balancing point against point, countering one argument with another. Some will be downright prejudiced. Others will have hissy fits, stamp their foot and storm off the list never to be heard of again until... well, the following Tuesday when someone says something else they don't agree with. If you're lucky the debate might generate what on other lists is called a 'flame war' but which here, with typical English middle class reserve, would be more accurately termed a 'candle spat', generating all the heat of a damp August day on the BCN. All of this however will be hugely entertaining, a bit like being stuck in a bar with a full glass, people barking at you from all sides. And at the end, nothing will change. You will get your chat about canals, and everyone else will bang on about exactly what they want to, off topic or not. You have two choices, Jason. The first is to make more use of your delete button. The second is to join in the fun. Steve [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
