Google groups is weird

[redbird]

I got email earlier this evening from someone who identified herself as a student at the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto, doing an "Internet project" (whatever that means). She wanted to ask me about something I'd posted to soc.support.fat-acceptance.moderated three years ago: did I have any references for the theory that I posted? Why had I posted in the discussion about eating disorders? And did I have further thoughts on the subject?

It rang no bells at all, from her description, so I asked for a pointer. She emailed me an URL (in groups.google.ca, but I assume that finds the same things as groups.google.com would). I pasted it together and read the message.

The message in question states, at the very beginning (okay, after the usual Usenet headers and bits of quoting)

I've been away for a week, which means everyone got to talk this over a bit, and I can take advantage of your thinking when I post.

These are random thoughts, not particularly connected:

So no, I have no references. I had speculation, not even at the level of hypothesis, on a subject that wandered through and I haven't really considered since. I don't mind, in this case, that Usenet and the Web have a memory--but that doesn't mean that I have one. It's conversation, not a research project. On the other hand, I suppose she can use me as a citation, if she can't find anyone else who speculated similarly.

firecat, I'd be interested to know whether you've heard from this person (Jessica Lee), since my message was in reply to you.

Comments

[rainliver.livejournal.com]

University of Guelph-Humber isn't actually a university, it's just a tech school. Most Canadian tech schools are at a high school level. You need a high school diploma to get in, but if you can count to 10 with less than 50% error you can get a basic high school diploma. My point is, the poster may have no clue.

Some tech schools are academic. I haven't heard of Guelph-Humber, so I don't know whether it teaches at a university or preschool level.

Sorry for the sarcasm, but I audited a few classes at a tech school in Canada and it was _really_ low level. The advanced English class was learning how to write a sentence.