IRC is a low-bandwidth method of communication, in comparison
with physical presence. Many of the cues of physical
communication, tone of voice, facial expression, hand movements,
etc., are missing in IRC, since only text is transmitted back
and forth. Speakers in physical proximity with each other
communicate quite a bit of emotional context via this extra
bandwidth. This context enables them to avoid misjudging the
intent of their conversational partners. It also functions as an
unconscious negative feedback mechanism to reduce the incidence
of emotional "firestorms" which tend to disrupt the efficient
flow of conversation. Human beings look for this feedback and
indeed they may be designed to require it. In the low-bandwidth
world of IRC, they must get emotional feedback via the text they
receive. This process is subject to exaggeration. Small amounts
of emotion become magnified in the perception of the observer.
So, it is very important to keep channels calm. An informal
conceptual measurement of the emot