🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <27JAN199311115025@ariel.lerc.nasa.gov> ecaxron@ariel.lerc.nasa.gov (Ron Graham) writes:

>I was wondering what others around here use as their personal "ground
>rules" for deciding which quotes they encounter here are "keepers" and
>which are not.  (I'm not talking about adding quotes to a paper you're
>writing - just about the ones you keep for yourself.)
>
>Specific questions:
>
>(1) Do you need the reference from which the quote came?
>(2) If not, under what conditions will the author's name be sufficient?
>(3) Do you tend to ignore quotes for which the author's name is not given?
>(4) How important is it to "nail down" the exact words?
>(5) Do you take quotes away from this newsgroup to entertain :-) others?
>(6) Which do you prefer - funny or serious quotes?
 
I have a book in which I write down pithy/meaningful/etc. quotes, as well as
song lyrics and personal thoughts.  I don't usually care about the reference
unless its germane in some way- as in, provides needed context or whatever.
I do like to have the author's name, but not having it doesn't keep me from
putting a good quote in.  Exact words are very important, but, again, I'll
accept a paraphrase if that's all I can get. I've found some nifty things in
this newsgroup, although the percentage is pretty small.  I don't tend to
put funny quotes in the book, but I do keep them if they're good.

Any more questions? :-)
--
-Chip Olson. | olson@husc.harvard.edu | ceo@{gnu.ai,silver.lcs}.mit.edu
This article is a natural product.  The slight variations in spelling and
grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to
be considered flaws or defects.

ecaxron@ariel.lerc.nasa.gov (Ron Graham) writes:


>Specific questions:

>(1) Do you need the reference from which the quote came?
	No. 
>(2) If not, under what conditions will the author's name be sufficient?
	If the quote stirs that indefinable something in me, then I keep it
	and regard it as a challenge to trace the source.
>(3) Do you tend to ignore quotes for which the author's name is not given?
	No. vide above.
>(4) How important is it to "nail down" the exact words?
	Pretty important - ultimately. But this is part of the fun of
	source tracing.
>(5) Do you take quotes away from this newsgroup to entertain :-) others?
	Yes
>(6) Which do you prefer - funny or serious quotes?
	Hard to answer. A quote must have that indefinable something that
	appeals to me. I think it is the ability to say pithily, in smart
	language a truism of life for me. The sort of thing which gets the
	response - "Hey, that's so true. I wish I'd said that." And if 
	there is a touch of humour, and better still wit, then so much the
	better.

>I am willing to summarize responses to this inquiry, but I wonder if it
>might not be more fun to discuss openly.  You decide.

	Good topic. Will look forward to the discussion.

	Chris.