That 25% is an interesting statistic: I often open mail, read something and reply to what I *think* is said rather than what it actually says, a situation not helped if the correspondent doesn't have English as their first language. I am certainly guilty of responding to trigger-words, to coin a phrase. I think your advice on reducing exposure is very valid. Thank you.

>Robert;
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>A study done at Princeton University Psychology department (before the Internet became popular) concluded that only 25% of what is “communicated” between two people is understood. That was when the two people were meeting face to face. The Internet does not provide a good way to express yourself.
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>It is too easy for anyone for whatever reason to take a word, sentence, paragraph or even a series of posts out of context. An individual will take issue with something that may not have been intended by the sender. People have “buttons” that when pushed activate them into another dimension. That could be an emotional state in which case all reason is lost.
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>Psychology is telling us a number of things at this point about the effects of what happened last week. The best advice I have heard is to not watch too much TV coverage of the events which occurred. Do not dwell on the issues you have no control over. Do discuss what you feel with others. Try to keep busy and do something that is perhaps new or you have wanted to do for a long time. This could take many forms and is something we should consider.
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>How we treat each other and ourselves at this time is very important. We have little or no control over world events.
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>Tom