From: Mark Wilden <mark@...>
Date: 2008-05-28T06:31:29+09:00
Subject: Re: Top-posting

On May 27, 2008, at 12:28 PM, Phillip Gawlowski wrote:

> At the moment, I have more attention diverted to email, since I am
> waiting for correspondence. There are weeks, though, where email (and
> IM, or any form of communication) is on the back burner, getting  
> minimal
> attention, as it otherwise would distract me. I suspect, I'm not the
> only one who works that way.

I participate in a number of groups. If I don't keep up with them on a  
daily basis, I'm going to fall behind pretty quickly. It's interesting  
that you imply that bottom-posting is more attractive to those who  
don't do groups as much as others, though. It makes sense.

> Yes, you are implying that. 'It's all the same to me', to paraphrase
> your stance.

You're kidding, right? :) I've been writing K upon K to say that I  
don't care about this issue?

> It's more than 'bare assertion', if those socialized with netiquette
> take the 'top-posting isn't the best way to use written correspondence
> on the web' ad here to this de facto standard. Of course, it is only
> etiquette. However, those that don't follow etiquette are seen as rude
> by those who don't follow the etiquette.

This is what I meant by "begging the question." You are using the  
"standard" as evidence for why people should follow it. I don't agree  
that it's the standard, so that evidence doesn't avail you.

> Much like farting during dinner is, in the proverbial polite company,
> frowned upon.

More passive voice.

> | Also, it's very tricky to use the
> | passive voice in this context. "Is considered rude" by whom?  
> That's one
> | of the cruxes of this discussion.
>
> Let's see: a good chunk of the  Monks of the Scary Devil Monastery,
> large parts of the Tom Clancy newsgroup (at least back when I was  
> active
> there), and at least 2 people voicing their opinion in this very  
> thread.
> this goes beyond 'bare assertion', but constitutes a trend. ;)

Argument by anecdote.

Also, consider what I said earlier: that the anti-toppers (like you)  
could simpler be more vocal than the more "tolerant" people (like me).  
In other words, the majority does not necessarily support the loudest  
viewpoint.

///ark