Perhaps the attribute of electronic mail systems that most distinguishes them from other forms of communication is their propensity to evoke emotion in the recipient — very likely because of misinterpretation of some portion of the form or content of the message — and the likelihood that the recipient will then fire off a response that exacerbates the situation.
Excerpt:
The Phenomenon of "Flaming"
Perhaps the attribute of electronic mail systems that most distinguishes them from other forms of communication is their propensity to evoke emotion in the recipient — very likely because of misinterpretation of some portion of the form or content of the message — and the likelihood that the recipient will then fire off a response that exacerbates the situation.