ampersand

[LenexatoKCMO]

Did something get implemented to automatically convert the ampersand symbol to the word and?  How are we supposed to connote sarcasim now? 

[lock+load]

&&&&&&&&&&

guess you'll have to write ampersand

[kcmetro]

This is also messing up the emoticons. Fix it, Bahua, or find another job!!!  Just kiddin' playboy.

[KCPowercat]

bahua doesn't like the ampersand...so I guess this is how he's decided to end it's use. 

Seemed like a good way to denote sarcasm to me...didn't seem to hurt anything...but whatever.

[bahua]

It seems ridiculous to me to have to stick a crutch on something as central to our language as sarcasm. I was thinking of changing it to:

No need to pay attention to what I said, or appreciate the humor. I was using the literary device, "sarcasm" just then.

But whatever. I lose. Censor lifted.

[Gladstoner]

Sarcasm is most enjoyable when it's intended to be misinterpreted by certain people.

[bahua]

Sarcasm is most enjoyable when it's intended to be misinterpreted by certain people.

I agree 100%.

[Roanoker]

[AllThingsKC]

Were you being sarcastic?  I couldn't tell since you didn't use the ampersand. 

[Roanoker]

Were you being sarcastic?  I couldn't tell since you didn't use the ampersand.   :lol:

At first I had quoted Bahua, but it looked like I considered his "100%" comment to be sarcastic, which I did not.

Actually, I thought it would be a good thread to post that animated gif. I kind of like it. 

[bahua]

Sarcasm is best left to the perception of the reader. If a person doesn't understand the subtleties of sarcasm, that's their problem. I see no reason to handicap our conversations just because some people have no sense of humor, or cannot detect sarcasm. At its worst, a situation when someone doesn't grasp that sarcasm has been used is remedied a post of two later, with someone clarifying to the lunk that didn't get it that the comment was not meant to be taken literally. That's the extreme. In most cases, people will just understand, having received at least an elementary school education.

[KCPowercat]

the problem is sarcasm many times depends on knowing the personality of a person and/or hearing how they say the sarcastic line...neither of wish is conveyed well on an anonymous message board.

Sure if this was a site of my buddies, they'd know exactly when I was being sarcastic.

[AllThingsKC]

In most cases, people will just understand, having received at least an elementary school education.

That true, but that's assuming that everyone on this forum has at least an elementary school education. - Something that still hasn't been proved.

I agree with bahua: sarcasm should be noticeable.  However, that's not always the case.  Which is why I think it should be OK to use the ampersand.  But, that's just my opinion.

[bahua]

It might be worth mentioning that an ampersand has no relation, whatsoever, to sarcasm.

[AllThingsKC]

Does anyone know how it got started anyway?

[bahua]

Does anyone know how it got started anyway?

Shinatoo invented it.

[lock+load]

It might be worth mentioning that an ampersand has no relation, whatsoever, to sarcasm.

That is the beauty of it.

[Thrillcekr]

It might be worth mentioning that an ampersand has no relation, whatsoever, to sarcasm.

Thanks Cliff Clavin.  Nobody would have ever known that if you hadn't taken the time to share your wisdom with us. &&&&

[eclair]

From the perspective of a relatively new memeber, I like the ampersand, mainly because I am still learning the personalities of everyone who posts.  I am good at picking up sarcasm in person, but clues for me are generally voice tone and facial expression -- obviously not possible to pick up through the message board.  Sarcasm in a written conversation is tougher and leads to pointless posts clarifying the misunderstandings.  If little symbol helps, why censor?