Academic mailing lists are formed by scholars and professionals interested in intellectual discussion and professional exchange of ideas. Academic mailing lists focus on academic and scholarly subjects, but they are not immune from "flaming," hostile, insulting language in computer-mediated communication. Two scholarly mailing lists, ANTHRO-L and MEDLIB-L, were monitored to during 1994 and investigated for flaming. Three types of flaming were discovered in those professional groups: the personal attack (venomous remarks), taunting (sarcastic barbs), and didactic (admonishments, rebukes, reprimands). People flame when others violate the rules of Internet culture, when there is ethnocentrism (differences in values), and when people misunderstand each other. The following tips for understanding flaming are discussed: educate the ignorant; enforce the rules; facilitate effective communication; and reshape society. As a unique part of the Internet culture, however, flaming has a special role to play in academic mailing lists. Although a punitive measure, it educates the ignorant, polices cyberspace, brings order to the group, and scares away unwanted commercial advertising. Flaming also encourages clear writing and no-nonsense communication. (Contains 23 references.) (MAS)