• Re: Reach Out and idly Browse The fortunes/computers file ...

    From John Levine@johnl@taugh.com to alt.folklore.computers on Tue Feb 24 20:33:23 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

    According to Scott Lurndal <slp53@pacbell.net>: >>https://clickamericana.com/media/advertisements/reach-out-reach-out-and- >>touch-someone-1979-1982

    It was hard to miss if you lived in the US.

    And you are older than 60 (which is less than 20% of Americans).

    Here's a 1987 commercial that used it. That was 39 years ago so I
    would expect 45 year olds to remember it which is more like 40% of us.

    https://youtu.be/OapWdclVqEY

    I think it's the origin of "reach out" in the bureaucratic jargon
    sense. Back in the day we had snappy terms like "contact" or "call".
    --
    Regards,
    John Levine, johnl@taugh.com, Primary Perpetrator of "The Internet for Dummies",
    Please consider the environment before reading this e-mail. https://jl.ly
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Charlie Gibbs@cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid to alt.folklore.computers on Wed Feb 25 00:16:50 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

    On 2026-02-24, John Levine <johnl@taugh.com> wrote:

    According to Scott Lurndal <slp53@pacbell.net>:

    https://clickamericana.com/media/advertisements/reach-out-reach-out-and- >>> touch-someone-1979-1982

    It was hard to miss if you lived in the US.

    And you are older than 60 (which is less than 20% of Americans).

    Here's a 1987 commercial that used it. That was 39 years ago so I
    would expect 45 year olds to remember it which is more like 40% of us.

    https://youtu.be/OapWdclVqEY

    I think it's the origin of "reach out" in the bureaucratic jargon
    sense. Back in the day we had snappy terms like "contact" or "call".

    I _hate_ this modern usage of "reach out". Way too touchy-feely.
    It's just one more of those ridiculous terms foisted off on us
    by managers and marketroids. As a National Lampoon ad parody once
    said: "I'm tired of saying what I mean. Help me learn Euphemism,
    the language of evasion."

    Seen in a Dilbert cartoon:

    PHB: Could you reach out to Ted and touch base with him?
    Dilbert: Could you restate that in normal English?
    PHB: I could, but then it wouldn't sound like I'm managing you.
    --
    /~\ Charlie Gibbs | Growth for the sake of
    \ / <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> | growth is the ideology
    X I'm really at ac.dekanfrus | of the cancer cell.
    / \ if you read it the right way. | -- Edward Abbey
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Chris Ahlstrom@OFeem1987@teleworm.us to alt.folklore.computers on Wed Feb 25 12:37:55 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

    Charlie Gibbs wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS:

    On 2026-02-24, John Levine <johnl@taugh.com> wrote:

    According to Scott Lurndal <slp53@pacbell.net>:

    https://clickamericana.com/media/advertisements/reach-out-reach-out-and- >>>> touch-someone-1979-1982

    It was hard to miss if you lived in the US.

    And you are older than 60 (which is less than 20% of Americans).

    Here's a 1987 commercial that used it. That was 39 years ago so I
    would expect 45 year olds to remember it which is more like 40% of us.

    https://youtu.be/OapWdclVqEY

    I think it's the origin of "reach out" in the bureaucratic jargon
    sense. Back in the day we had snappy terms like "contact" or "call".

    I _hate_ this modern usage of "reach out". Way too touchy-feely.
    It's just one more of those ridiculous terms foisted off on us
    by managers and marketroids. As a National Lampoon ad parody once
    said: "I'm tired of saying what I mean. Help me learn Euphemism,
    the language of evasion."

    Seen in a Dilbert cartoon:

    PHB: Could you reach out to Ted and touch base with him?
    Dilbert: Could you restate that in normal English?
    PHB: I could, but then it wouldn't sound like I'm managing you.

    We can circle back to that later and get buy-off on a reach around.
    --
    The Encyclopaedia Galactica defines a robot as a mechanical apparatus designed to do the work of a man. The marketing division of Sirius Cybernetics Corporation defines a robot as 'Your Plastic Pal Who's Fun To Be With'.
    The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy defines the marketing division of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation as 'a bunch of mindless jerks who'll be the first against the wall when the revolution comes', with a footnote to effect that the editors would welcome applications from anyone interested in taking over the post of robotics correspondent.
    Curiously enough, an edition of the Encyclopaedia Galactica that
    had the good fortune to fall through a time warp from a thousand years in
    the future defined the marketing division of the Sirius Cybernetics
    Corporation as 'a bunch of mindless jerks who were the first against the
    wall when the revolution came'.
    -- Douglas Adams, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From rbowman@bowman@montana.com to alt.folklore.computers on Wed Feb 25 18:37:01 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

    On Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:37:55 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

    We can circle back to that later and get buy-off on a reach around.

    'The Briefing With Jen Psaki' will start on MSNBC in April if you just
    can't get enough circling back. I wonder if Microsoft wishes they could
    have their MS back?
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Chris Ahlstrom@OFeem1987@teleworm.us to alt.folklore.computers on Thu Feb 26 08:19:45 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

    rbowman wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS:

    On Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:37:55 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

    We can circle back to that later and get buy-off on a reach around.

    'The Briefing With Jen Psaki' will start on MSNBC in April if you just
    can't get enough circling back. I wonder if Microsoft wishes they could have their MS back?

    Ah, another sniff of misogyny. You seem to be put off by
    intelligent women.

    Anywho...

    As of late 2025 and moving into 2026, the cable network
    formerly known as MSNBC has rebranded as MS NOW and is owned
    by Versant, a new independent, publicly traded company. This
    move is part of a spinoff from Comcast/NBCUniversal, which
    includes other networks like CNBC and the Golf Channel.

    Owner: Versant (led by CEO Mark Lazarus).
    New Name: MS NOW (My Source News Opinion World).
    --
    Green's Law of Debate:
    Anything is possible if you don't know what you're talking about.
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From rbowman@bowman@montana.com to alt.folklore.computers on Thu Feb 26 19:52:14 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

    On Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:19:45 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

    rbowman wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS:

    On Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:37:55 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

    We can circle back to that later and get buy-off on a reach around.

    'The Briefing With Jen Psaki' will start on MSNBC in April if you just
    can't get enough circling back. I wonder if Microsoft wishes they
    could have their MS back?

    Ah, another sniff of misogyny. You seem to be put off by intelligent
    women.

    'Liberal' and 'intelligent' don't belong in the same sentence.
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Chris Ahlstrom@OFeem1987@teleworm.us to alt.folklore.computers on Fri Feb 27 07:19:25 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

    rbowman wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS:

    On Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:19:45 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

    rbowman wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS:

    On Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:37:55 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

    We can circle back to that later and get buy-off on a reach around.

    'The Briefing With Jen Psaki' will start on MSNBC in April if you just
    can't get enough circling back. I wonder if Microsoft wishes they
    could have their MS back?

    Ah, another sniff of misogyny. You seem to be put off by intelligent
    women.

    'Liberal' and 'intelligent' don't belong in the same sentence.

    Ah, the kimono comes open.
    --
    Marriages are made in heaven and consummated on earth.
    -- John Lyly
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From scott@scott@alfter.diespammersdie.us (Scott Alfter) to alt.folklore.computers on Fri Feb 27 16:22:30 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

    In article <10nph9h$1l943$4@dont-email.me>,
    Chris Ahlstrom <OFeem1987@teleworm.us> wrote:
    rbowman wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS:

    On Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:37:55 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

    We can circle back to that later and get buy-off on a reach around.

    'The Briefing With Jen Psaki' will start on MSNBC in April if you just
    can't get enough circling back. I wonder if Microsoft wishes they could
    have their MS back?

    Ah, another sniff of misogyny. You seem to be put off by
    intelligent women.

    Who? I didn't see any intelligent women referenced in the post.
    --
    _/_
    / v \ Scott Alfter (remove the obvious to send mail)
    (IIGS( https://alfter.us/ Top-posting!
    \_^_/ >What's the most annoying thing on Usenet? --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From rbowman@bowman@montana.com to alt.folklore.computers on Fri Feb 27 18:23:09 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

    On Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:19:25 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

    rbowman wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS:

    On Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:19:45 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

    rbowman wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS:

    On Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:37:55 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

    We can circle back to that later and get buy-off on a reach around.

    'The Briefing With Jen Psaki' will start on MSNBC in April if you
    just can't get enough circling back. I wonder if Microsoft wishes
    they could have their MS back?

    Ah, another sniff of misogyny. You seem to be put off by intelligent
    women.

    'Liberal' and 'intelligent' don't belong in the same sentence.

    Ah, the kimono comes open.

    I'd never heard the phrase and the first site explaining it that came up
    in a search was NPR. That's fitting. The kimono has never been closed. I
    do regret the use of 'liberal' but that is the label a certain tranche of people have assumed for themselves despite the historical usage.

    'woke' is dubious also. I wonder if it was derived from the Wide Awakes,
    the paramilitary supporters of the tyrant Lincoln. I suppose it's a good
    thing the woke can't get their shit together as effectively as the Wide Awakes. It's almost time for more 'No Kings' performance art since the
    weather is improving.
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From geodandw@geodandw@gmail.com to alt.folklore.computers on Fri Feb 27 15:32:08 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

    On 2/26/26 14:52, rbowman wrote:
    On Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:19:45 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

    rbowman wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS:

    On Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:37:55 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

    We can circle back to that later and get buy-off on a reach around.

    'The Briefing With Jen Psaki' will start on MSNBC in April if you just
    can't get enough circling back. I wonder if Microsoft wishes they
    could have their MS back?

    Ah, another sniff of misogyny. You seem to be put off by intelligent
    women.

    'Liberal' and 'intelligent' don't belong in the same sentence.
    You don't seem intelligent yourself.
    --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Bob Martin@bob.martin@excite.com to alt.folklore.computers on Sat Feb 28 06:38:49 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

    On 27 Feb 2026 at 18:23:09, rbowman <bowman@montana.com> wrote:
    On Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:19:25 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

    rbowman wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS:

    On Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:19:45 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

    rbowman wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS:

    On Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:37:55 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

    We can circle back to that later and get buy-off on a reach around. >>>>>
    'The Briefing With Jen Psaki' will start on MSNBC in April if you
    just can't get enough circling back. I wonder if Microsoft wishes
    they could have their MS back?

    Ah, another sniff of misogyny. You seem to be put off by intelligent
    women.

    'Liberal' and 'intelligent' don't belong in the same sentence.

    Ah, the kimono comes open.

    I'd never heard the phrase and the first site explaining it that came up
    in a search was NPR. That's fitting. The kimono has never been closed. I
    do regret the use of 'liberal' but that is the label a certain tranche of people have assumed for themselves despite the historical usage.

    US use of the word "Liberal" is different to the rest of the world.

    'woke' is dubious also. I wonder if it was derived from the Wide Awakes,
    the paramilitary supporters of the tyrant Lincoln. I suppose it's a good thing the woke can't get their shit together as effectively as the Wide Awakes. It's almost time for more 'No Kings' performance art since the weather is improving.
    .

    --- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Carlos E.R.@robin_listas@es.invalid to alt.folklore.computers on Sat Feb 28 13:14:18 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

    On 2026-02-28 07:38, Bob Martin wrote:
    On 27 Feb 2026 at 18:23:09, rbowman <bowman@montana.com> wrote:
    On Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:19:25 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

    rbowman wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS:

    On Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:19:45 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

    rbowman wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS:

    On Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:37:55 -0500, Chris Ahlstrom wrote:

    We can circle back to that later and get buy-off on a reach around. >>>>>>
    'The Briefing With Jen Psaki' will start on MSNBC in April if you
    just can't get enough circling back. I wonder if Microsoft wishes >>>>>> they could have their MS back?

    Ah, another sniff of misogyny. You seem to be put off by intelligent >>>>> women.

    'Liberal' and 'intelligent' don't belong in the same sentence.

    Ah, the kimono comes open.

    I'd never heard the phrase and the first site explaining it that came up
    in a search was NPR. That's fitting. The kimono has never been closed. I
    do regret the use of 'liberal' but that is the label a certain tranche of
    people have assumed for themselves despite the historical usage.

    US use of the word "Liberal" is different to the rest of the world.

    Indeed. Here "the liberals" are the historic right wing. They fought the absolutist king, so at the time they were "left". But politics evolved
    and they are now to the right of the current political spectrum. Conservatives, too.


    'woke' is dubious also. I wonder if it was derived from the Wide Awakes,
    the paramilitary supporters of the tyrant Lincoln. I suppose it's a good
    thing the woke can't get their shit together as effectively as the Wide
    Awakes. It's almost time for more 'No Kings' performance art since the
    weather is improving.
    .

    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ESEfc-Efc+, EUEfc-Efc|;
    --- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From rbowman@bowman@montana.com to alt.folklore.computers on Sat Feb 28 18:20:14 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

    On 28 Feb 2026 06:38:49 GMT, Bob Martin wrote:

    US use of the word "Liberal" is different to the rest of the world.

    That is certainly true. 'Social liberal'? There really isn't a good term. 'Progressive' also doesn't mean what it used to or 'fascist' for that
    matter. 'Woke' just sounds stupid.
    --- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Bob Martin@bob.martin@excite.com to alt.folklore.computers on Sun Mar 1 06:14:28 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

    On 28 Feb 2026 at 18:20:14, rbowman <bowman@montana.com> wrote:
    On 28 Feb 2026 06:38:49 GMT, Bob Martin wrote:

    US use of the word "Liberal" is different to the rest of the world.

    That is certainly true. 'Social liberal'? There really isn't a good term. 'Progressive' also doesn't mean what it used to or 'fascist' for that
    matter. 'Woke' just sounds stupid.

    In the UK Liberal = Enlightened.

    --- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From rbowman@bowman@montana.com to alt.folklore.computers on Sun Mar 1 19:55:15 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

    On 1 Mar 2026 06:14:28 GMT, Bob Martin wrote:

    On 28 Feb 2026 at 18:20:14, rbowman <bowman@montana.com> wrote:
    On 28 Feb 2026 06:38:49 GMT, Bob Martin wrote:

    US use of the word "Liberal" is different to the rest of the world.

    That is certainly true. 'Social liberal'? There really isn't a good
    term.
    'Progressive' also doesn't mean what it used to or 'fascist' for that
    matter. 'Woke' just sounds stupid.

    In the UK Liberal = Enlightened.

    Dark or light enlightenment?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Enlightenment

    --- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Bob Martin@bob.martin@excite.com to alt.folklore.computers on Mon Mar 2 05:23:18 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

    On 1 Mar 2026 at 19:55:15, rbowman <bowman@montana.com> wrote:
    On 1 Mar 2026 06:14:28 GMT, Bob Martin wrote:

    On 28 Feb 2026 at 18:20:14, rbowman <bowman@montana.com> wrote:
    On 28 Feb 2026 06:38:49 GMT, Bob Martin wrote:

    US use of the word "Liberal" is different to the rest of the world.

    That is certainly true. 'Social liberal'? There really isn't a good
    term.
    'Progressive' also doesn't mean what it used to or 'fascist' for that
    matter. 'Woke' just sounds stupid.

    In the UK Liberal = Enlightened.

    Dark or light enlightenment?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Enlightenment

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment

    --- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Kerr-Mudd, John@admin@127.0.0.1 to alt.folklore.computers on Mon Mar 2 10:03:35 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

    On 1 Mar 2026 19:55:15 GMT
    rbowman <bowman@montana.com> wrote:

    On 1 Mar 2026 06:14:28 GMT, Bob Martin wrote:

    On 28 Feb 2026 at 18:20:14, rbowman <bowman@montana.com> wrote:
    On 28 Feb 2026 06:38:49 GMT, Bob Martin wrote:

    US use of the word "Liberal" is different to the rest of the world.

    That is certainly true. 'Social liberal'? There really isn't a good
    term.
    'Progressive' also doesn't mean what it used to or 'fascist' for that
    matter. 'Woke' just sounds stupid.

    In the UK Liberal = Enlightened.

    Dark or light enlightenment?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Enlightenment

    These seem to be spoilt brats trying to justify their own egotistical
    greed.
    --
    Bah, and indeed Humbug.
    --- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Chris Ahlstrom@OFeem1987@teleworm.us to alt.folklore.computers on Mon Mar 2 06:56:35 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.folklore.computers

    Kerr-Mudd, John wrote this screed in ALL-CAPS:

    On 1 Mar 2026 19:55:15 GMT
    rbowman <bowman@montana.com> wrote:

    On 1 Mar 2026 06:14:28 GMT, Bob Martin wrote:

    On 28 Feb 2026 at 18:20:14, rbowman <bowman@montana.com> wrote:
    On 28 Feb 2026 06:38:49 GMT, Bob Martin wrote:

    US use of the word "Liberal" is different to the rest of the world.

    That is certainly true. 'Social liberal'? There really isn't a good
    term.
    'Progressive' also doesn't mean what it used to or 'fascist' for that
    matter. 'Woke' just sounds stupid.

    In the UK Liberal = Enlightened.

    Dark or light enlightenment?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Enlightenment

    These seem to be spoilt brats trying to justify their own egotistical
    greed.

    <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9h4ODtFaS8>

    Soft Cell - Chips on My Shoulder
    --
    "...very few phenomena can pull someone out of Deep Hack Mode, with two
    noted exceptions: being struck by lightning, or worse, your *computer*
    being struck by lightning."
    (By Matt Welsh)
    --- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2