Not an excuse IMO, as it should be taken to email, or responded to in different way (such mentioning in your reply that you felt Wesley's tone was unreasonable).
>b) I considered adding a smiley at the time, but refrained because I
>thought for such a stupid childish insult it would be obvious it was
>not intended very seriously already. Obviously that was a poor
>judgement. So I will make it explicit. No serious insult was intended
>(though I did disagree with Wesleys expressed position).
I don't think adding a smiley is relevant. In some cases it can make an insult worse (please see below).
>c) if Wesley asks for an apology or otherwise indicates he is really
>offended, he will get one.
I don't think that Wesley is the only one entitled to take offense (please see below).
>e) yes, I was rather grumpy at the time. I thought Wesleys post was
>unnecessarily negative, and reacted to that. The chances are high
>that in general I will be nicer. And/or more liberal with the smilies.
I assume everyone on the list (including me) gets grumpy from time to time and writes ill-considered things which may cause offense. However, I don't think this is a sensible excuse for a direct insult (even one intended as a joke). Posting insults (i) lowers the tone of the list, (ii) creates the perception of a hostile environment. This list is intended (I believe) to be an open forum for HW/Glorantha newcomers as well as old hands. If the tone of the list creates a perception of being closed, hostile and so on I think the list suffers.
Thom
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