Writing

[jBirch]

Occasionally I find myself at a loss when deciphering some of the comments posted to our beloved section of F.Net. Sometimes, I find myself doing a virtual "WTF?" at some of the comments that I myself have posted in response to a particularly interesting post. Oddly, I'm rarely surprised when one of the resident curmudgeons has bludgeoned my ideas into submission.

Being the Canadian that I am, I thought I'd help elevate the discourse by posting an article helping us all to write better.

Today's lesson comes from George Orwell who has written a brilliant essay on English:

http://www.orwell.ru/library/essays/...nglish/e_polit

Enjoy.

James.

[introspective]

I have always enjoyed Orwell. I feel sorry that you feel that way, but you have to realize that everyone has felt that way one time or another posting on the Fencing.net board is almost fooooolhardy and tooooo risky. I hope you feel better now? More soothed?
[twitches mustache slightly]

Think of all the bouts you could lose if you post --- for too long? or..... not long enough? Once you jump in, you have to chose the moment to log out forever, or the other alternative is really get completely tough and just consider it a part of life and you'll actually become a tougher fencer - from the sheer gall of it all.
By reading this post, you may wish to take a moment and consider a meeting after our mandatory participation in Hate Week? [but that's another story] Good bye for now. Let my face fade from your memory...goodbye [smile] farewell until later......good.....bye [check your vericose veins]

If! [bark slightly] I live to be a hundred, I don't know if anyone could ever write as well, but perhaps nearly? Talk to you later!

Signed off as,
Big Bro - Loves you
-----------------------
Orwell was a great author.

[jeff]

Today's lesson comes from George Orwell who has written a brilliant essay on English:

http://www.orwell.ru/library/essays/...nglish/e_polit

Enjoy.

James.

A classic, always worth mentioning.

[jBirch]

I have always enjoyed Orwell. I feel sorry that you feel that way, but you have to realize that everyone has felt that way one time or another posting on the Fencing.net board is almost fooooolhardy and tooooo risky. I hope you feel better now? More soothed?
[twitches mustache slightly]

LOL!

It's rude to insult others, child. And it's rude to assume that no one else can interpret the simple riddles you like to sprinkle amongst your real thoughts. Nor that we are so simple and blind that we can not see how shy you are or fearful of expressing your true thoughts.

If you can not express yourself clearly and fearlessly, then you have no business speaking amongst adults. Which is one of the lessons of childhood.

Specific to your style of posting, the purpose of speaking is to communicate. What are you saying and why are you speaking? If you have nothing to say, don't say anything. There's no shame in listening. If you have something to say, say it clearly. There's no shame in speaking and being wrong.

When you grow up and wish to learn to think, come back and try again. We really are interested in hearing what you have to say, so long as what you have to say is well thought out.

Which was the point of George Orwell's essay.

Take it easy.

James.

[introspective]

Oh, Bother it all, I know I'm right....I'm right! I'm right [voice fading] Right - Right! It is infuriating that you JBirch - a mere toddler - can stand there stomping your little feet and refer to me, an adult as a child. I feel uncomfortable. I want my two stuffed animals that I had when I was small, my bunny and my monkey. Goodbye JBirch! We'll talk more later.