Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2000 15:07:29 -0500
From: Kafka Dreams <kjc@[APOCALYPSE]>
To: void
Subject: abject lesson


1. Void has always had threads.

   NOTE: They used to be funny.  And brief.

2. The concept that void is THREADLESS comes from its tendency to
   self-define as NOT ELBOWS.

   NOTE: This derives from the tendency to implicitly define elbows as
         NOISE-HEAVY and THREAD-FULL.

3. YOU make the void what YOU want it to be.

   NOTE: You don't do this by complaining about what the void is, you
         do this by setting an example of what you think it should be.

   PERSONAL NOTE: THIS MESSAGE IS SELF-CONTRADICTORY.

   Do I contradict myself?
   Very well then I contradict myself,
   (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
     - Walt Whitman, from "Song of Myself" (1855)

4. If you want the void to be a discussion-based list, then eventually
   you will lose those of us who've already been on those and don't
   want them anymore.

   NOTE: Yes, I'm serious.  I'm considering leaving, as are a good
         half-dozen or more others.

5. Many of the pleas about threads and the void can be summarized as
   "Please don't abuse the void."

   PERSONAL INTERPRETATION: Periodically, some of us post emotionally
     revelatory thought-essays or epiphanies.  Others use the void as
     an outlet to express sorrow.  Given, some folks think this sort
     of stuff drivel, yet others enjoy the thoughts evoked in
     themselves.  BUT, if you do it too often or to primarily evoke
     sympathy, you will burn out your audience.

   PERSONAL COMMENT: If you need a support group, drop a note to a
     batch of friends asking if they would be willing to receive
     periodic rants or whines or journal entries or what-have-yous of
     a personal nature and then set up those interested in a mail
     alias or a mailing list.  This is a common practice.

6. THIS MESSAGE CONTAINS NO PERSONAL ATTACKS.

   NOTE: I wasn't thinking of anyone in particular, but more of the
         general tone of many of the messages that have been flying by
         as of late.  If you took it personally, maybe that should
         tell you something.