Flaming





1. Flaming is the practice of posting messages that are deliberately hostile
and insulting to a discussion board (usually on the Internet). Such messages
are called flames.

A flame may have elements of a normal message, but is distinguished by its
intent. A flame is never intended to be constructive, to further clarify a
discussion, or to persuade other people. The motive for flaming is never
dialectic, but rather social or psychological. Flamers are attempting to
assert their authority, or establish a position of superiority.
Occasionally, flamers merely wish to upset and offend other members of the
forum, in which case they are trolls.

Similary, a normal, non-flame message may have elements of a flame - it may
be hostile, for example - but it is not a flame if it is seriously intended
to advance the discussion.

A sequence of flame messages is known as a Flame war.
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2. "Flaming" is also an adjective used to refer to someone conspicuously and
openly gay, usually conforming to various expected stereotypes.