# Maeglin, get your neo-Luddite non-internet-connected ass in here! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 2, 2001, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525 "2001-04-02T18:36:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2001, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/1 "2001-04-02T18:36:54Z")
Main Entry: Ludd·ite Pronunciation: 'l&-"dIt Function: noun Etymology: perhaps from Ned Ludd, 18th century Leicestershire workman who destroyed machinery Date: 1811 : one of a group of early 19th century English workmen destroying laborsaving machinery as a protest; broadly : one who is opposed to especially technological change - Luddite adjective [sub]PERHAPS from Ned Ludd?!? No, I understand … more etymological research is needed to see if the word ‘Luddite’ came from Adam Smith.[/sub] Opposed to technological change? Damn right! Just where do you get off being[ul][li]A college graduate[_]An educated person[_]An active contributor to the SDMBA moderator of not one, not two, but at least THREE Diplomacy games[/ul]and not have a connection to the internet at home? This is inexcusable.[/li] Look, I have irrefutable proof. You’re a medievalist. The only people interested in that subject are social outcasts who played D&D. I’m proof of that - a sample of one - I don’t need a larger sample at all. I know when I’m right! Those same social outcasts sought solace in BBSes, Usenet, and virtual communities online around the globe. This is more irrefutable proof - you’ve got well over a thousand posts! Therefore you MUST be a maladjusted socially inept klutz. There is no other possible explanation. (Valued and respected member of the community? Ha!) Again, I extrapolate from a sample of one. Wait, I had a point here somewhere. So why the hell don’t you have a computer at home?! All geeks do. I’ve conclusively proven that you are one. What self-respecting fencer doesn’t have one? Hmpf. You, sir, are clearly not a geek. Damnit, I’m contradicting myself. Either I have to reconcile this somehow, or disappear in a puff of logiDO :1 \<- #0$#256[1 J^P$L$$J \<.-Z; .,(S,$ -D .)FX1 @F^B K :L I G1 L\>$$ NO CARRIER ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2001, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/2 "2001-04-02T19:45:57Z")
Luddite? You don’t know the half of it. I have it from a reliable source that Maeglin dosen’t even have a _phone_ at his house. I think he’s secretly Amish. ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2001, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/3 "2001-04-02T19:59:05Z")
Also, bonus geek points to whoever can identify what that line noise actually is. Not even a phone? Inexcusable. ---
**Author:** ![Pucette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/278dde/32.png) [@Pucette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucette)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2001, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/4 "2001-04-02T20:01:02Z")
An Amish Jew! LNO - you didn’t disappoint me. Thanks for cheering up my day. Now I must return to praying to the Internet gods that they blow the luddite cloud away from Maeglin’s office. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2001, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/5 "2001-04-02T21:29:25Z")
I am quite technologically adept. My job requires it. No, I’m not an IT geek, but I know enough about this and that. But I have no: [ul] [li]Phone[/li][li]TV: neither reception nor cable[/li][li]No internet[/li][li]I don’t even have a stereo[/li][/ul] Yes, I am a medievalist. Yes, I played D&D. Yes, people say I am a socially inept klutz. But you know what the nice thing is? When I go home, I read. That’s _all that there is to do._ I hope I am a better person for it. ---
**Author:** ![dublos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f08c70/32.png) [@dublos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dublos)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2001, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/6 "2001-04-02T21:41:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Maeglin \* > **But you know what the nice thing is? When I go home, I read. That’s _all that there is to do._ I hope I am a better person for it.** Well, now that depends on what you’re reading. Did you notice Ms. McCaffrey has a new book out? “The Skies Of Pern” -Doug ---
**Author:** ![Mnementh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/898d66/32.png) [@Mnementh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mnementh)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2001, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/7 "2001-04-02T21:51:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dublos \* > \*\*Did you notice Ms. McCaffrey has a new book out? “The Skies Of Pern” > \*\* \*Considers perking Decides instead to refocus on TV and perhaps seek out book later\* Hey, dont make fun of Maeg. He’s a swordsman and a gentleman. Which means he can cut you to ribbons while saying really cool stuff in olde English. Maeg’s cool. He plays with sharp things. Isnt that good enough? ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2001, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/8 "2001-04-02T21:52:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Maeglin \* > **I hope I am a better person for it.** Sigh. The classiest way to turn a pit rant around on the person who started it is to do what you just did. I’ll just have to take solace in the fact that my only TV watching is CNN or the History channel. Mutter, mumble. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2001, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/9 "2001-04-02T22:57:09Z")
If I recall correctly, Maeglin is in in Grad school at the momment, and I suspect a rather good one, as he/she (?) mentioned turning down Princeton/Peter Brown. So the decision to cut out all distractors is probably out of neccisity–no matter how strong your passion, some days it is diffucult to make onself study hundreds of pages of bad latin in a Monestatic ledger to figure out how many quarts of milk were per produced per cow per day if there is _anything_ else to do. Btw Maeglin, a friend of mine just got a full ride to Princeton and Peter Brown as thesis advisor–I am debating whether or not to tell ihm what you told me about age limiting the Grand Old Man’s interaction with his students. What do you think? ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/10 "2001-04-03T01:20:14Z")
Maeglin, I really respect your decision to eschew the mass media for the comfort of the printed page. I myself can barely bring myself to watch the Simpsons once a week, I have so little interest in TV. But you must, you simply must, find some method of adjuticating these Diplomacy games. My Jannissaries have just taken St. Petersburg, for God’s sake! You can’t leave troops like that in the barracks…they require combat, conquest, looting and pillaging to sate their insane thirst for blood! It is a well known fact that Emperors who do not find employment for skilled combat veterans often find those very same veterans getting restive…there are always charismatic generals with unseemly notions of their own importants. Have you no compassion? No pity? My troops must march. Europe awaits. If you cannot provide space for my victorious armies to conquer, I’m afraid I’m going to have to turn them against YOU. Consider yourself warned. Ever been in a Turkish prison? Enough said. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/11 "2001-04-03T01:27:08Z")
Maeglin: Oh Yeah! I have a TV, and I’m watching **Wrestling**! I know I’m a better person for it. ---
**Author:** ![Pucette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/278dde/32.png) [@Pucette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucette)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/12 "2001-04-03T13:56:55Z")
Lemur, your post demands clarification. The Teeming Millions need to know where your troops are marching. They need direction. Inquiring minds must know! ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/13 "2001-04-03T14:08:58Z")
**dublos** Ha! Pern is _not_ one of my literary weaknesses. I didn’t even read McCaffrey when I was a wee barn. Ask all you want, but I will _not_ reveal which shitty-ass fantasy authors have me under their thumbs. 😉 **Mnem** Damn straight, man. 😉 Speaking of Old English, you should definitely read The Battle of Maldon. I think you would like it. **LNO** You flatter me waaaaay too much, bro. 😉 People are going to start having expectations, you know? **Manda Jo** Two clarifications: Maeglin is most definitely of the male persuasion, and he is not yet in grad school. I’m going back next September. To Columbia, where I did my undergrad work. > [@](#): > > Btw Maeglin, a friend of mine just got a full ride to Princeton and Peter Brown as thesis advisor–I am debating whether or not to tell ihm what you told me > about age limiting the Grand Old Man’s interaction with his students. What do you think? I would hope he knows Master Brown’s limitations already from speaking to his students. If he doesn’t, then I definitely think you should tell him. Peter Brown is not the Golden Goose he once was. Or so everyone seems to think. **Lemur** > [@](#): > > But you must, you simply must, find some method of adjuticating these Diplomacy games. Yah, man, I hear ya. It’s been tough with the internet down for awhile and work being generally hellish. I’ll get the results out today. > [@](#): > > Oh Yeah! I have a TV, and I’m watching Wrestling! > I know I’m a better person for it. Dude, there is a difference. First, you are considerably more accomplished in every way than I am. I am but a young, snide upstart. More importantly, you have the _chair_. You could sit in the chair, play with your ass hair, and _still_ be a better person. MR ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/14 "2001-04-03T14:25:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Maeglin \* > **Ask all you want, but I will _not_ reveal which shitty-ass fantasy authors have me under their thumbs. 😉** I’m giving myself one guess, and saying Robin Hobb. If I’m wrong, I’ll, uh, I’ll call myself out in the Pit next time. > [@](#): > > **You flatter me waaaaay too much, bro. 😉 People are going to start having expectations, you know?** Too late- we already do. Now I expect this to degenerate into archaic and difficult-to-translate insults. You start. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![dublos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f08c70/32.png) [@dublos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dublos)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/15 "2001-04-03T14:50:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Maeglin \* > \*\ ***dublos** > > Ha! Pern is _not_ one of my literary weaknesses. I didn’t even read McCaffrey when I was a wee barn. > > Ask all you want, but I will _not_ reveal which shitty-ass fantasy authors have me under their thumbs. 😉 > > \*\* Oh, so I should just list the my favorite authors are making like it’s sweeps or something… New books from Mercedes Lackey, David Weber, and Asprin actually came out with another Phules Company. -Doug ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/16 "2001-04-03T15:58:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LNO \* > DO :1 \<- #0$#256[1J^P$L$$J \<.-Z; .,(S,$ -D .)FX1 @F^B K :L I G1 L\>$$ > > \ > > Also, bonus geek points to whoever can identify what that line noise actually is. INTERCAL. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/17 "2001-04-03T16:02:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Maeglin \* > \*\* > Ha! Pern is _not_ one of my literary weaknesses. I didn’t even read McCaffrey when I was a wee barn. > \*\* A wee **barn**??? Is that like being a shed or something? If so and you’re looking for work, I could really use someplace to put my riding mower. Jonathan “Waiting for Pucette to finish me off” Chance ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/18 "2001-04-03T16:26:24Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m giving myself one guess, and saying Robin Hobb. If I’m wrong, I’ll, uh, I’ll call myself out in the Pit next time. Uncle! I’ve read everything she has ever written. With the exception of the last hundred pages or so of Assassin, she _does_ have storytelling skills. There are one or two nastier skeletons in my closet. > [@](#): > > Now I expect this to degenerate into archaic and difficult-to-translate insults. You start. Very well. I will begin gently. Marial, Liber II: 21. > [@](#): > > Basia das aliis, aliis das, Postume, dextram. > Dicis ‘Vtrum mauis? elige.’ Malo manum **Jonathan Chance** > [@](#): > > A wee barn??? Is that like being a shed or something? Uhh…no. It’s old English, _bearn_, from the OE verb _beran_, to carry, to bear. Hence it means child. MR ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/19 "2001-04-03T17:18:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Maeglin \* > > > [@](#): > > > > **I’m giving myself one guess, and saying Robin Hobb** > > Uncle! I’ve read everything she has ever written. With the exception of the last hundred pages or so of Assassin, she _does_ have storytelling skills. There are one or two nastier skeletons in my closet. Now that I’ve used the guaranteed success as my opening salvo, I have to maintain this accuracy. Give me a day or so and I’ll predict another of your skeletons … > [@](#): > > Basia das aliis, aliis das, Postume, dextram. > Dicis ‘Vtrum mauis? elige.’ Malo manum I can only maintain one war at a time while at work. You’ll get your love poetry from me, but damned if I’m going to insult you at the same time. You’ll get what’s coming to you later tonight, though. Oh, and **Robot Arm**? INTERCAL plus some TECO. ---
**Author:** ![Pucette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/278dde/32.png) [@Pucette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucette)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525/20 "2001-04-03T17:26:34Z")
Hey I _like_ the whole barn image that comes to mind. It’s kinda cute! Jonathan Chance, we really should start emailing again in a little while. I have some serious questions for you:) And Lemur, I’m still waiting… \ _Back to the Latin Insvlts…_ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maeglin-get-your-neo-luddite-non-internet-connected-ass-in-here/60525.md?page=2)