h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hey ~jwf~! Long time no talkie! I'm going to cut to the chase here, as I'm short on time.

I have a paper due in a Literacy class of mine about a group or community that has its own special brand of literacy, and I decided to cover h2g2. Since it's such a large community with its own sort of language, discussions, communication methods, etc, I thought it would be a great topic.

So, I'd like to e-interview you I'd like to know what you think about h2g2 as a community. How is communication and language and literacy on h2g2 different from real life, or other communities you're a member of? If you could help me out with this, that would be great! Then I can cite you in my essay! WEEE!

Thanks so much, jwf. I really appreciate it!

DZ

Always a joy to hear from you!

I'd love to help but not sure if I'm here often enough or long enough to get you the quotes you need on time.

I only get about 4 or 5 hours online each week at the library (mostly Tuesdays and Thursdays but I snuck in today, Saturday, for a few minutes).

So if you can post the questions here I will try to answer on Tuesday afternoon if that leaves you enough time.


~jwf~

Hey, no worries, I've got some time on this

First, I'd like to reiterate a couple questions I asked in my initial message:

How is communication and language on h2g2 different from real life, or other communities you're a member of? I know that's a broad question, but I trust you'll make something of it

How long have you been a member of h2g2? Why did you join?

Really the object of this essay is to explain why h2g2 is a unique literacy community. Some people are choosing to explain the literacy of their jobs, on-campus college groups, classes, etc. but I chose h2g2, if that gives you a feel for what I want.

For example, I'm going to write about the unique terminology used on h2g2, like Aces, Smileys, GuideML, and any Hitchhiker's Guide-related inside joke. Any insight you have into those would be splendid.

I know this is a lot, but I know you can help me with this! I don't need much, just a few lines to move my point along. Thanks again, jwf. You're great!

DZ

>> I'd like to reiterate a couple questions I asked in my initial message: <<


Oh, right, yeah, I realised later that in fact you had already asked the questions... sorta. But now, with your most recent posting we all know we're on the same page. (That's an American Senator joke BTW)

The first question is one I've thought about for 5 years online without any final resolution.

The whole internet experience is 'different' from real life for the obvious reasons of 'silent text' as a form of communication and the anonymity of every 'speaker'.

H2g2 has (or had before the movie version) the unique bonding agent of the books as a point of common reference. Those who liked the books or admired the writer, his ideas and his way with words, found an outlet for their own zany sense of cosmology as well as a forum for experimental forms of expression and a welcome arena for their writing. The common experience of reading DNA's works brought together a group of literate (or at least semi-literate) and highly imaginative individuals who discovered they sometimes had a lot of other things in common, which is unusual in real life groups, even in specialised organisations like stamp collectors, antique car guys and sci-fi fans in general.

As for the unique terminologies of the site, you should probably show that these were often inspired by the many unique and specific terms found in the books (such as hoopy frood). The Great Vogon Detour (also known as Rupert) of March to May 2001 when the site went down is another perfect example of words from the books being given new meaning on site.

One of my favourites is 'Post 21' which while it has no antecedent in the books is a very 'hitchhiker' way of referring to any post which has been made after reading only the first page (20 posts) of a thread and replying without realising the thread may have as many as 10,000 postings. The 'British English' thread, one I have subscribed to since the post-Rupert reunion, is full of 'Posts 21' and was probably the safest place for a newbie to commit such a common 'faux pas' without being hassled or harangued for being stupid or ignorant. We have all done it at least once and the kind folks at Brit Eng understood and forgave every one, which is not something that might have happened in real life or on a less humane and forgiving website where social and intellectual competition are taken much more seriously.

And that is perhaps the final point, the meat of the nut. Active membership at h2g2 is born out of a shared experience and leads (not always and not for everyone) to an ongoing sharing of experience.

And that's about as fine a point as I can make, but ask me again in another 5 years and I'll probably just list the names of the 30 or 40 old regulars whose names I recognise and who have made me feel free to express myself even if they disagree with my opinions or dislike me or my style of life or my sometimes perverted use of the language.

This computer tells me I have but a few seconds left so I'll have to let it go at this point and hope this helps you some.

peace
~jwf~

jwf, you're a peach! That was extremely helpful...thank you so much! I'm going to quote you some in my paper, but I think I'll only use your pseudonym, since the use of pseudonyms (some of which reference HHGTTG) is a point in my paper Thanks again! I really appreciate your help I'll let you know how the essay goes!

DZ