Hi Mike:
I guess I must be a part of the problem here. I have never felt that any
of the list postings was to be taken other than as absolute truth, an
expression of feeling or a, possibly lame, attempt at humor. I am probably
guilty of digressing and creating threads which are directly unrelated to
the LBCs we all care about. However, I felt that I was digressing with
people who care about cars generally and LBCs in particular. If I have
offended anyone, I apologize.
I too am bewildered by Nolan's post. I am on a number of other lists as
well and I feel that the warmth and civility on the MG list is second to
none. There are a few persons who respond in an overtly blunt manner but I
perceive the responses to be more tongue-in-cheek than serious. I was
guilty of bashing away at techno-speak last week and gave vent to some
frustration regarding directions taken by automotive and other technology,
but I received support for my opinion and have enjoyed a good repartee with
the originator who has asked for more.
I have found the list to be invaluable in technical help but more helpful
in it's ability to let me meet new friends and fellow enthusiasts whose
opinions I respect and enjoy. I hope that Jarl and Nolan will see things
in this light and if possible would specifically address their concerns so
that we all may do a bit of soul-searching. If there is a fatal flaw let's
address it.
John McEwen
>I was saddened by Nolans post this evening which iread at 2.30 being
>unable to sleep - many will not wonder at that fact since Im a commodity
>trader and lie and cheat and steal for a living but i feel compelled to
>respond anyway!
>
>On Mon, 17 Mar 1997 20:47:14 -0500 Nolan Penney <npenney@erols.com>
>writes:
>>>I dunno, as far as I can see anyone who is related to anyone who ever
>>>rode in any Lucas equipped LBC anything at any time on any road knows
>>>about dim bulbs. We're all victims of Ohm's law. Why all the
>>aspersions?insensitivity? contempt? carelessness? "humor"?!?!? AOLers,
>TRs,
>>MIATAs, NEWBIEs, who's next? I don't know, but I won't be here to find
>out!
>>>goodbye to all. Jarl
>
>I stick by what i said to and about Jarl yestersay, His posts, answers
>and technical input are and were outstanding and of immeasurable value to
>all - however -
>the above quotation comes over as a tad petulant and certainly intolerant
>which should, of course, be taken with as much of a grain of salt as
>everything else on this list! - hell, lets all enjoy a good fit of pique!
>
>
>>I agree Jarl.
>>
>>I'm active in roughly 20 mailgroups on the internet, and this one,
>>MGs, is the most unpleasent. What I find so disgusting isn't the
>chronic insulting of
>>everyone and everything that isn't sacred octogon, but the pious airs of
>superiority that are assumed while doing so. Indeed, in the three other
>autox.team.net groups I'm active in (Triumphs, British, Autox) flaming
>and insulting of other groups is not tollerated by the members. Here
>though, it is actively encouraged.
>>
>>Sad.
>
>Nolans post is - to me - unfathomable....."unpleasant"? "disgusting"?
>"Chronic insulting"?
>WHEN??????????? - talk about pious airs!
>This is a bloody hobby, a pastime, something to do for FUN!
>The list - as i see it - is not just informational, its an extension of
>the hobby -
>an addition to THE FUN!
>Unless Im an ever dimmer bulb than i thought, the joking, japing,
>twitting and the like is for the most part good natured - part of THE FUN
>and every bit as entertaining as any information we share - and when its
>not so good natured, ITS EVEN FUNNIER!
>
>John Cleese, who is probably one of the funniest humans ever to walk the
>earth gave a list of things that are truly funny once;I cannot quote it
>verbatim .nor even remember the whole thing but here are a few
>paraphrased
>
>1)Nothing is REALLY funny until someone gets cross!("ther'll be tears","
>loses an eye" etc...)
>2)It's not half as funny watching someone do or say something stupid as
>it is to
> watch someone else watching someone do something stupid!
>3)If you cant insult your friends, who can you insult!?
>4)We laugh most at the things people do and say that we ourselves are
>most afraid of doing or saying.
>
>Personally I am incapable of being serious for an entire conversation
>-even in the depths of depression and there are very few subjects i wont
>make fun of or put a humourous, often cruel spin on - its a defence
>mechanism of course, all humour is
>But there are NO sacred cows.....
>I enjoy immensely the tone, content, flames, and irreverence that forms
>part of this venue (the list) together with the information and
>camaraderie we share - and if other lists dont "tolerate" this then I'm
>bloody glad im not on them - they must be bleak colourless Orwellian
>places! .............
>
>But then us "proper" car blokes on a "proper" list knew that anyway, and
>that all Tr***ph blokes are MG wannabees and that M***s are girly-man
>cars and that everyone who doesnt agree with us is a wanker!!
>
>Now - I actively encourage you all to shout scream and berate my
>parentage
>COS THEN IT'LL BE REALLY BLOODY FUNNY!!
>
>mike robson
>69 roadster
>70 BGT
>72 roadster
>sense of humour - active
>long hair - gasp, must be a hippy!
>pomposity detector and neutralizer
>s**t-eating grin!
|