Here’s some required reading for everyone who participates in online discussions: A recent academic study found that people only have a 50-50 chance of interpreting correctly the tone of any email message but that think they have gotten it right 90 percent of the time. Additionally, senders of emails think that the tone of their emails will be interpreted correctly 80 percent of the time. “People often think the tone or emotion in their messages is obvious because they ‘hear’ the tone they intend in their head as they write,” says Nicholas Epley, one of the authors of the study. Something to keep in mind when reading and responding to comments on Brownstoner!
The Secret Cause of Flame Wars [Wired via Kottke]


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  1. “I think that article, although once a beautiful article with inlaid inuendo, and crown reporting, should be torn down to make way for condos. :P”

    Rarely do I laugh out loud while reading about real estate. Bravo.

  2. So what they’re saying is that “Fedders house” can be taken as a compliment, because we’re just not comprehending a writer’s intent. So henceforth:

    “What a great house, it’s Fedderific!”