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From: nancy@enmasse.UUCP (Nancy Werlin)
Newsgroups: net.movies
Subject: Re: Re: _Back_to_the_Future_  (spoiler)
Message-ID: <456@enmasse.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 30-Aug-85 18:16:22 EDT
Article-I.D.: enmasse.456
Posted: Fri Aug 30 18:16:22 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 1-Sep-85 12:38:46 EDT
References: <2706@ut-sally.UUCP> <1715@hao.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Enmasse Computer Corp., Acton, Mass.
Lines: 35

> **
> I'm sorry I had to leave in so much of the above article in my summary,
> but this is ridiculous!  I get that you didn't want to go to this movie
> ...

I think that the article you were flaming was submitted as a joke.
In normal writing, since one does not normally identify
every joke with a smiley face (perish the thought), 
you learn to judge sarcasm/humor/irony by tone.  
Tone can be conveyed by written language, you see, as well
as through voice.  The writer of the review to which you
took such exception, in my humble opinion, does so superbly.

Of course, writers of his ilk are rare on the net.
Since we are not used to reading USENET articles carefully,
it is difficult to pick up the nuances when they are present --
especially if the writer isn't obliging enough to identify every joke
as such.  These writers are throwbacks, it's true;
but they do still exist, irritating though it is.

You might learn to appreciate jokes such as this movie review
-- jokes which amuse through the delicate use of language --
if you practised reading some of the works of ancient humorists.
For a start, I suggest S.J. Perelman.  Of course, you cannot
read Perelman on line, you must visit your library and take out
a book.  You can find your local library by consulting the yellow
pages of your telephone directory (another book, which is not
unlike a file listing that you could generate on your computer).
Alternatively, visit a bookstore.  

Fondly,

Nancy Werlin
EnMasse Computer
Acton, MA