If the Internet has taught us nothing else, it’s taught us that there is no position or statement sufficiently ludicrous that no one will offer it seriously.
Item for item, I’ve gotten into more trouble dismissing contributions as meant trivially when they were meant seriously than vice versa. As a result, I assume people mean what they say unless any potential meaning stretches even an extended presumption of good sense.
Item for item, I’ve gotten into more trouble dismissing contributions as meant trivially when they were meant seriously than vice versa.
This is an understandable behavior, and I sympathize, but beware of overcompensating for it. Both mistakes are heavily penalized socially, for better or worse.
If you suspect, but are not certain, that something was meant humorously, consider replying in a way that can be interpreted either seriously or as carrying the joke further. Explicitly acknowledging either alternative is generally unwise.
“Julian’s comment obviously wasn’t serious”
If the Internet has taught us nothing else, it’s taught us that there is no position or statement sufficiently ludicrous that no one will offer it seriously.
Item for item, I’ve gotten into more trouble dismissing contributions as meant trivially when they were meant seriously than vice versa. As a result, I assume people mean what they say unless any potential meaning stretches even an extended presumption of good sense.
This is an understandable behavior, and I sympathize, but beware of overcompensating for it. Both mistakes are heavily penalized socially, for better or worse.
If you suspect, but are not certain, that something was meant humorously, consider replying in a way that can be interpreted either seriously or as carrying the joke further. Explicitly acknowledging either alternative is generally unwise.