RE: Press coverage favors big companies, earlier speakers

[Mark Hinds <zoro@nwnexus.com>]

On Fri, 24 Jul 1998, Declan McCullagh wrote:

> I've been on the Net for ten years, and generally despise "emoticons."
> 
> If you can't recognize sarcasm, ain't my fault.
> 
> -Declan

Which of the following are examples of sarcasm?

1. Declan certainly has straightened this out for us.
2. He's such a clever fellow.
3. When I over-eat I think of his sage commentary.
4. It would be a shame if he were launched into the sun.

Answer: 1,2. Perhaps you wonder why not #4? If Declan
were lauched to the sun he would probably not return,
unless of course the sun found him equally indigestable.
If he were no longer present then #3 would be invalid,
and therefore, for self-consistency sake I had to withdraw
#4 from the list.

Declan's wrong on two counts. First, in the absence
of audio/visual cues it is not always possible to dicern
sarcasm without larger contexts. This is simply
a fact which he may dispute in any fashion that
pleases him, but is not subject to change.

Secondly, it is his fault (as the author) if his
sarcasm is less than obvious since the job of
a writer is know his audience and write accordingly.
Deriding others for ones own lack of writing skill,
and/or neurotic need to criminalize the use
of emoticons is simply crap, or to use a more
accurate phrase, Declan 'pulled a Declan'.


Mark Hinds
Leftist, Anti-Corporatist, Writer of Rhetorical Extravaganzas!
(did I mention I use Linux?)