In which Meg reflects on the nature of the Internets

[megpie71]

I was recently reminded of the nature of online contact, and the role of personal knowledge in an environment where tone cannot be directly ascertained. The relevant posts are in this thread, more specifically this little subthread

Comments

[entropy_house]

I tend to use :^) way too much because it's safer for me. I found it cut way down on people getting upset on a mailing list because I don't think the way most people do, and what seems obviously light-hearted/ironic/a joke/ friendly to me may come across as mean or insulting.

I'd rather look silly than mean. :^) See?

[vilakins]

I'd have taken that comment in the way you meant it. Maybe you just pressed one of her buttons.