I think this is the most generous definition ever of "300 or 400" unwanted email messages: an "online cocktail party." That's what occurred (according to Editor and Publisher magazine) when the Univ. of Maryland's Casey Journalism Center accidentally invited a list that included hundreds of journalists to the university's "Casey Medals" awards. When recipients replied to the email, they replied to the entire list, prompting hundreds of unwanted emails for some - and entertaining "chit-chatting back and forth" for others. One enterprising freelance photographer took the opportunity to publicize his work - turning the cocktail party into actual spam. The error was reversed within several hours.
