Re: MD Scare Quotes and Highlighting

From: Ian Glendinning (ian@psybertron.org)
Date: Sat Sep 04 2004 - 17:16:10 BST

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    i agree

    (so all we're left with is punctuation & spacing)

    ----- Original Message -----
    From: "Chuck Roghair" <ctr@pacificpartssales.com>
    To: <moq_discuss@moq.org>
    Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2004 7:25 PM
    Subject: RE: MD Scare Quotes and Highlighting

    > BLOCKED CAPS FEELS LIKE YELLING.
    >
    > -----Original Message-----
    > From: owner-moq_discuss@venus.co.uk [mailto:owner-moq_discuss@venus.co.uk]
    > On Behalf Of Ian Glendinning
    > Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2004 4:06 AM
    > To: moq_discuss@moq.org
    > Subject: MD Scare Quotes and Highlighting
    >
    > This is really two subjects.
    >
    > (1) SCARE QUOTES
    > In order to avoid (too many) boring debates on "semantic pedantry", I have
    > on many occasions used the idea of "scare quotes"
    > I didn't invent that term. It's common since USENET days and I believe the
    > last serious writer I saw use the term was Pinker.
    >
    > What "scare quotes" say is ...
    >
    > (A) We're having a difficult discussion at arms length, without the
    benefit
    > of body language and shared experience and goals.
    > (B) I'm using a word that I'm worried we may be using with (small but)
    > significant difference in meaning to each of us (as a result of A)
    > (C) I'm highlighting that fact, because if you share that same concern,
    > perhaps we should check understanding before proceeding, since I am
    already
    > predicting this could be the cause of misunderstanding. If you don't, ask
    > why I'm worried ?
    > (D) Carry on with the debate anyway, but if we appear to be disagreeing on
    > something we each feel strongly about, suspect one of these terms.
    > (E) I'm game to carry on without that semantic debate if you are - we may
    > learn something anyway.
    >
    > Didn't someone illustrious say "If two intelligent people seem to be
    > disagreeing suspect a misunderstanding of terms".
    >
    > (2) HIGHLIGHTING
    > We are communicating via a whole range of mail-systems where our only
    common
    > ground is ASCII-Text.
    > We have no formatting with which to emphasise particular words or phrases
    in
    > the context we use them.
    > What do people prefer - BLOCK CAPS - or anything goes ?
    >
    > Ian Glendinning
    >
    >
    >
    >
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