On Wed, 26 Nov 1997, Paul Allenby wrote:

And sometimes the words do match the symbols but they are misinterpreted. Most people I know seem to have enough trouble communicating such subconscious messages when they have the (absolutely huge) advantage of face-to-face contact, w/ tone and facial signals, let alone when those cues are taken away from them through a cold digital interface, better suited to the expression of logical yes/nos than to the expression of complex emotions and undertones, which cannot even be mapped onto today's technology.

In such a world, I suspect that it is wisest to take take things at face value and always give the benefit of the doubt (even if you think there is no doubt).

<shrug>