Jeremy:
I think that sometimes we might be thinking of flaming in a negative context though, it can be, but really for some it is a highly polished artform which has a variety of social purposes. It takes a certain skill with words to generate an applicable insult, and that should be appreciated for what it is sometimes, but also it can be appreciated as a way of normalizing a channel or newsgroup, etc.
David:
I'm with Jeremy. I'd also add that the existence of a full-throttled flamewar can be evidence of an online environment's maturity. It takes a certain amount of committment (not to mention energy!) to flame.
I'm afraid I'd have to disagree, at least slightly. Yes, it's a sign of some sort of emotional or social commitment. But there are well-crafted, intelligent flames, and there are measly, dippy flames which indicate some sort of breakdown of normal social controls and constraints. Jeremy, your view is a little utopian. Yes, there are artistic, even elegant flames that neatly defuse an argument while manically ranting about the state of the world. But there are also flames that are simply obnoxious, off-the-cuff responses to a message that is irritating. Some have suggested it's a sign of over-maturity: as a group gets older, it has a choice of strengthening social controls--having, for example, a corps of people who can quickly send off-list responses to inappropriate posters, perhaps even people who are willing to force cancel messages, to get rid of objectionable content--or to degenerate into flame war. Presented, for your approval, the first few hits on a Google Groups search for idiot (god, I *love* that service[1]).... ----------------------------------------------- http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=fjf44usql02u1mobg146kitkeiqdlsdm3g%404a x.com [rec.sport.pro-wrestling] "You can't read can you? No where in his post does he confuse you with a simpsons character. Look at the name of the guy he was replying to, his name is Krusty, not the doctor of shit. You really are an attention seeking little baby, now you're imagining people are talking about you when they are talking about someone else. All you did prove was that the bigger idiot in the subject header was yourself." http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=9n1lec%245b9%240%40dosa.alt.net and "brainless" http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=R2sr4.7034%24bz2.1320683%40tw12.nn.bcan did.com [misc.health.alternative] *** Because magnets had a 100% FAILURE rate makes me "brainless?" Remember you called everyone who tries this alt.stuff *BRAINLESS.* Are you going to call my 3 friends who were silly enough to try magnets *BRAINLESS* too? Perhaps you're BRAINLESS and need a head transplant to make you HONEST? Now there's an idea!!!! :o) http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=81fqj3%243rc%241%40nnrp1.deja.com [soc.culture.algeria] Your little post suggests to me that you are a brainless creature who knows shit. You made me a jew and an anti sematic, arabist and anti arab, Amazigh and anti Amazigh. All this khalouta in one post. Do you see my point, brainless bou ass? Think, my little brainless ---------------------------- [1] Sorry, danah. http://www.danah.org/idcontrol/stopgoogle.html