I haven't seen many posts in favor of occasional humor on the part of
those who aren't talented at limericks, so I thought I'd add a comment on
that score.
Like others on this list, I would not want to see this list turn into a
series of trivial postings and one-upping to see who can write the better
limerick. I've seen this happen twice to lists I've been on. Initially
serious, both followed the same path: the occasional joke turned into
the contest which turned into one-line "gotcha" posts. The more serious
queries, discussions and responses faded away, and then the lists
themselves did the same. I would be very disappointed if that were to
happen to medieval-religion.
Having said that, I'd also like to add that the limericks and jokes and
lighthearted back-and-forth have added to my summer. As Tim (and several
others--I apologize for not remembering who) has pointed out, summer is a
slow time for e-mail, and so these kinds of posts have not felt intrusive
to me (perhaps because I have so much less e-mail to read). I have, in
fact, welcomed them! The reason is because I'm spending the summer
studying for my comprehensive exams and, as most of you know, studying
for comps turns into an obsession! The humor posted here lately has, for
me, provided moments--in the form of little smiles, really, and the
occasional laugh out loud--to remind me not to feel so pressured.
They've also reminded me that I'm not the only person who reads saints'
lives and occasionally finds them hilarious. (I once wrote a paper on
humor in a martyred saint's life, I really did.) I've been on this list
for only a few months, and the fact that so many people on it can laugh
now and then at matters that really *are* very serious has made me think
of this list as an extremely friendly place (you know, there's going to
be a big party at my house when/if I pass comps, and you're all
invited!).
So, while I agree with Rebecca and Louise and others that the humor on
the list should be limited--and, like I said, I've seen it ruin two other
lists--I do hope that it doesn't suddenly stop. At least not until I've
done these darned exams! :)
Beth Crachiolo
University of Iowa
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