Celebrate the flamers!

A memorable quote from a recent conversation with Richard Karpinski: "Celebrate the flamers!" Flamewars, argues Richard, mark the first time that many people have ever seen, first-hand, mere written words having an effect on other people. That's a pretty hot idea: The Internet is exposing people to the value and power of the written word, and while flames themselves are unpleasant, they are the leading indicators of a change in the perceived value of literacy. Celebrate the flamers, and guide them to new ways that words can change the world.

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