From: utzoo!decvax!duke!harpo!zeppo!mes
Newsgroups: net.singles
Title: Re: Computer Dating - (nf)
Article-I.D.: zeppo.351
Posted: Tue Oct 19 23:17:52 1982
Received: Wed Oct 20 05:54:18 1982

#R:allegra:-53000:zeppo:18000007:000:2130
zeppo!mes    Oct 19 23:14:00 1982

You know, I'm not sure if computer-type people cluster or not more than
other subgroups in our professional/technical category, but I'm sure
many of us can relate to one thing.

Have you ever been with a group of people, either (generally older)
friends (that perhaps you haven't been in touch with in a long while), or
other acquaintenances that are *not* professional/technical and begin
to wonder why you are there, what you are doing, and what you could
possibly discuss with these people?

That can be a real problem - I had a friend several years ago that was
most definitely not a engineer/cs type at all. I found that if something
good happened to me at school or at work, unless it was very simple, I
wouldn't even try to explain. Which of course meant a severe lack of
communication, because we just lacked a common ground on which to
base our conversation. (of course, it was mutual, to some extent - I
did know some about her field, enough to hold an simple conversation,
while to her, I did something, but she was never sure quite what.)
I'm not putting her, or anyone, down - its just that perhaps ee/cs
people tend to congregate because if you ran to your friend the (fill
in the blank, but no cs/ee) and told he/she/it how happy you were
that you finally removed the ringing from your frannistat, you'd get
a blank stare.

Could common grounds for communication be a great deal of any
relationship (not only those *special* (cliche seekers, flame on)
relationships) ? I would think so. Or am I making a big deal
about nothing - perhaps I should be more tolerant and understanding
and try to modify what I'm talking about. On the other hand, my work
is a very large part of my life - as it is for many, many of us (hackers,
raise your hands). I enjoy talking about my work, and work that others
are doing in my field, and getting positive feedback, and suggestions,
and criticisms.

           Interested in others opinions,
                 Michael Sajor, BTL WH , zeppo!mes

PS - if you want to try something difficult, try explaining how you
read this to a non-technically oriented person... It ain't easy!