Graham Wolff Christian points out that flame
wars are almost ubiquitous. He writes
*Every* discussion list of which I have been a part--no matter what its subject--has fallen victim to such ills--a few have gone down in e-flames. The pattern is absolutely consistent. Writer A drops a light remark--always *tangential* to the main discussion. Writer B interprets the message in the worst possible light and fires off an outraged reply, in which writer A is called a racist, a classist, a fascist--whatever seems to apply. Writers C-L chime in, rather like the crowds in a DeMille film, muttering "Shame!" or "I agree!" or "A is right!" or "B is right!" Writer A replies saying, "Gosh, it was just a joke. I'm not a fascist. Lighten up." Writer B says, "This issue (the South, date rape, Nicaragua) is DEADLY SERIOUS. I won't lighten up. I won't." By the time things have cooled down, Writers A and B have left the list; or Writers N-DD have left the list; or the list has died. These are not *odd* occasions--they happen to *every list.*
In the worst-case scenario, a protracted flame war can destroy a discussion group. Inevitably, the least common denominator principle takes
hold, and the group sinks to the level of the loudest and lowest flamers.
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