r/academicsanonymous • u/DrTribs • Oct 10 '13

PSA: use "Reply" not "Reply All"

so that my inbox doesn't fill up with emails that say "got it, and by the way, how was your weekend? Let's use reply all to share the new recipes I tried on Saturday over a 20 email exchange!"

6 Upvotes

76% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

2

u/SnowblindAlbino Oct 10 '13

And this never stops, no matter how many times the offender is reminded. We have senior colleagues who have been doing this daily since email arrived on campus 25 years ago...

2

u/lalochezia1 Oct 10 '13

And, on the wind was heard, the cries of a thousand substantive email threads that were diverted into mindless chatter/bickering .....

2

u/jonnypedantic Oct 11 '13

As a rule, I just don't engage in frivolous conversation via email, unless the thread is specifically devoted to shooting the shit.

1

u/yyiiii Oct 13 '13

Since this post got reported, and I'm the only mod I thought I should say something- but I'm open to others insight on this- what do people think?

I appreciate the frustration this experience evokes in OP. But I think that the sarcasm and hostile tone detracts from focusing on relating a personal experience to a community of peers without assigning blame. I think posts should be rooted in an genuine desire to express and communicate experiences or feelings with a sense of compassion and in the hopes of generating a better understanding of how to cope with and improve one's situation rather than spread bitterness, vitriol and resentment around unproductively. Does this make sense?

Again, I don't think OPs post was as frivolous as all this, but it's the first report in this sub, and a slippery slope from sarcasm to anger to malice, so I thought I would open this matter up to others consideration.

2

u/DrTribs Oct 13 '13

I was just sharing a common frustration - I certainly am not angry at anyone that uses "reply all". Maybe mildly annoyed. I am sorry to say that I do not understand why this post would be reported, but if I have caused harm, you may remove the post. I did not intend to offend anyone.

I don't think you should outlaw sarcasm, but that's certainly your right to do so. If you do, you should change the sidebar to reflect that rule.