Praise then darkness, and creation unfinished

I got email earlier this evening from someone who identified herself as a student at the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto, doing an "Internet project" (whatever that means). She wanted to ask me about something I'd posted to soc.support.fat-acceptance.moderated three years ago: did I have any references for the theory that I posted? Why had I posted in the discussion about eating disorders? And did I have further thoughts on the subject?

It rang no bells at all, from her description, so I asked for a pointer. She emailed me an URL (in groups.google.ca, but I assume that finds the same things as groups.google.com would). I pasted it together and read the message.

The message in question states, at the very beginning (okay, after the usual Usenet headers and bits of quoting)

I've been away for a week, which means everyone got to talk this over a bit, and I can take advantage of your thinking when I post.

These are random thoughts, not particularly connected:

So no, I have no references. I had speculation, not even at the level of hypothesis, on a subject that wandered through and I haven't really considered since. I don't mind, in this case, that Usenet and the Web have a memory--but that doesn't mean that I have one. It's conversation, not a research project. On the other hand, I suppose she can use me as a citation, if she can't find anyone else who speculated similarly.

firecat, I'd be interested to know whether you've heard from this person (Jessica Lee), since my message was in reply to you.