Online primate grooming

[robinturner]

Recent exchanges about how much people use the Internet (and especially LJ) as a way of bolstering their frail egos got me to thinking about whether and to what extent I do the same. I wouldn't say that winning praise is very high on my reasons for writing in LJ, but hell, I'm human, and a like it when people make nice comments.

However, it's unexpected e-mail that really strokes my ego. A few days back someone mailed me to ask if they could have a copy of my MA dissertation because it sounding so interesting. Woot. Then there was a mail on a list which really got me preening:

> Robin's reminder below of the various semantic nuances a
> term may obtain in natural language is right on the money.

You don't need to tell me I'm cool, sexy, a beautiful sensitive human being or whatever (though it doesn't hurt, I suppose). Just tell me how clever I am, and I'll love you forever.

Comments

You are the cleverissimo

[asteriskhere.livejournal.com]

Oh Robin you are so so clever!

Now hand over your undying love. If necessary we can work out a payment plan.

Re: You are the cleverissimo

[solri.livejournal.com]

OK, I'll love you in installments.

[regyt.livejournal.com]

Foo, what's the difference? Cool, sexy, and clever have a close and incestuous relationship. My point being, you should send me your papers to read.

[solri.livejournal.com]

Well, I sent you a short story. You want philosophy too?

For me, clever is a necessary condition for cool and sexy, but not a sufficient one. Otherwise I'd get all horny over Donald Knuth ("The Joy of TeX" and all that). Maybe you're right about the "incestuous" bit, though - it could be one of those pervy Wittgensteinian family relationship things.

[oblomova.livejournal.com]

> Robin's reminder below of the various semantic nuances a
> term may obtain in natural language is right on the money.


Hmph, well, it HARDLY sounds as if it is in the punk rock aesthetic.