Internets, E-Lists and Other Forms of Madness

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Remember way back in the 90's when Internet version 1.0 had a cutting edge feature known as the e-mail list?

I thought those things had gone the way of the Dodo bird when version 2.0 of the internet came out with forums. Well it turns out that email lists are still around. I joined one the other day. It's on Yahoo (is that still around?) and is set up to discuss a kind of dog I am interested in.

Well, to make a long story short, my foray into the time-warp of email lists did not go very well. Within days of signing on, I signed off. Not only did the list seem like a sort of Jurrasic park relic from a time when shoulder pads and hair bands were cool, but it turns out that a small group of people who would should probably look into the benefits of psychotropic medication actually dominate it. I don't want to get into the details of what transpired, but suffice it to say that despite my best diplomatic efforts to point out that maybe, just maybe, there were a few problems in the breed, some of the thirstier cool-aid drinkers on the list came to the conclusion that I was the Anti-Christ.

Now, I know what you are thinking..Oh that's just crazy talk from Koshyk...

But I've got to say that some of the reaction bordered on the psychotic. I mean I'm as passionate about dogs as the next guy or girl. And I hold opinions that many people may not agree with. But what I read in the few days I was on the list went beyond passion; way beyond opinion. It bordered on what you would hear at an a exorcism performed by Anne Coulter after a three-day meth-binge.

So I ended up doing the Internet equivalent of "backing away slowly"...you know, that kind of move people make when they stumble on a bridesmaid and best man humping in the bathroom at a wedding reception?

Ya, that's how I spent my New Year's Day. How about you?