Fw: Insect Conductivity - language?

From: Geoffrey Thomas <geoffreythomas_at_onetel.com>
Date: Wed Jul 28 13:56:23 2004

----- Original Message -----
From: "Geoffrey Thomas" <geoffreythomas_at_onetel.com>
To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts"
<cctalk_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2004 8:36 PM
Subject: Re: Insect Conductivity - language?



> Me , I want to know what the ants said in reply. Translation anyone -
> looking for a babel fish.........
> I was up on the scaffolding outside my house today (we're having some
> cladding fitted ) fitting up my uhf aerial in a higher position when a
> squadron of flying ants descended on everything - from the park at the
back
> of the house. I'm afraid I outdid Sellam , and ,statistically speaking ,
you
> wouldn't expect that many ants to be illegitimate. They wouldn't go away
so
> I had to come inside , it's a bit dangerous when you're up high and ants
are
> exploring every part of your anatomy ; I've just had a shower and two came
> out of my hair- silly little buggers.
> What's this got to do with fucking computers anyway ? ...................
> Geoff.
>

Having decided to enter the debate I thought I might try out a bit of
allusion alongside an expletive - as above . I must say that I find it
distinctly uncomfortable to see the last line in print. I think I belong to
the school that believes that swearing is an art form ( not ark B ) and if
it is used indiscriminately it loses it's impact. I think this is true of
most things in life . I find that the allusion is a lot funnier as ,
obviously, it leaves the reader to visualise the word and the "scene" for
him/her/self. (P.C.)This is a bit like radio as opposed to tv , I suppose.
Swearing , in a conversational context, is probably easier to get away with
as you have inflexion, intonation etc. to convey meaning and any humour.
This is why it looks so bad in print , I think. I thought the beginning of "
Four weddings and a funeral " was poor in this respect -poor acting?- but
perhaps it's a generation gap effect. I certainly have no objections to
anyone writing such in an email , I merely express my own mild discomfort at
seeing my own word in print. I don't believe in any form of organised
religion with a deity , in case anyone is wondering. The only person I know
who has a magic wand is Sooty !
 Izzy Wizzy .....................

Geoff.
Received on Wed Jul 28 2004 - 13:56:23 BST