Spingears - your "humorous" replies are wearing thin.

[Charlie Tan]

Spingears turns up as a blip on my radar every once in a while. However, having come across two of his standard jerkish answers in one day inspired me to take a closer look at the posting history.
And what did I find? Well, it wasn't just my perception, there really is a pattern.

In Wesley Clarke's GQ thread about how one goes about to retire, Spingears sugests going to bed. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=5804966#post5804966) Some choice use of bold typeface was needed to put emphasis on this snarky reply. Regarding why firefighters get to slide down poles, Spingears suggest a jump start for the day (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=5801104#post5801104) by installing a pole in your own home - which is a fun suggestion, but not really answering the question, sort of a Modus Operandi for him. Krokodil posted a question about objects in space. The question might have suffered from not being totally clear, but most other dopers managed to decipher it and tried to answer. Spingears felt the urge to say that the Post is incoherent! (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=5801002#post5801002) which is another of his specialities - jumping on posters for their wording, phrasing or any arbitary proof reading he think the OP needs.
Taking a potshot in GD isn't beyond Spingears either. ralph124c wanted to know if he'd make a good general and got this gem in return:Sign on at the nearest recruiting office first thing Wednesday.
They should recogonize yor leadership qualities and put you in charge immediately. :rolleyes:
which isn't really adding to the debate at all.
dauerbach asked for help regarding a rare medical condition, mostly about finding information on the 'Net. As always, spingears was oh so helpful by saying that There is a small probability that there is a web site(s) concerned with such conditions. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=5790072#post5790072) It kinda looks innocent, but in light of the other posts, it really isn't helpful at all - it's very dismissive and really doesn't serve any purpose.
Chairman Pow was idly speculating about how bright 2 million candlepower is, since he saw something Sears and thought it might be cool to have. Of course, rather than just answering a factual question in GQ, spingears find an urge to pass judgement on this:Good deal if you really have a need for it rather that a 'I just want it.'
When I have a need for a tool or similar item I buy a quality item rather that junk on the premise it will likely have use for it again. Otherwise I abstain.
Now Roland Deschain just got banned, so maybe I shouldn't give too much credit to his incessant line of moronic OPs, but I actually found the GQ question about a person facing execution and injuring themselves to postpone it, to be half way interesting. Of course, spingears didn't and served up a theory from his own imagination about how The executioner, whether it be the Axe Man, Hangman, Switch Thrower, or Needle Guy don't like to be cheater. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=5778099#post5778099) He really does a lot of guesswork, as when Dan Turk asked about convicts filing taxes and got this illuminating reply in GQ:
Fill out a 1040-2004 and mail it to the IRS?
FlippyFly asked how one goes about to determine bolt center (and I don't even know what that is) - and again, there's that need to correct someone about how they ask questions:I would suggest that the problem was in not stating the problem, in it's entiriety, in clear and concise language.
When a problem is clearly and concisely described the answer can not be far behind.
And just to round this off, with a few choice quotes. Strinka asked if there are any benefits from smoking, which prompted this reply in GQ:Absolutely YES. :)
Smoking can be beneficial to society in that the consequences of smoking ultimately will increase the number of candidates for the Darwing Awards. This will subsequently reduce the gene pool of those who are unconcerned with their own health! Also reduces the cost of health care. :
Considering how much cancer treatment costs, I'd ask for a cite for that last sentence. Somehow, I feel I won't get one. Or that spingears had anything to add to the thread but being snarky. Not being helpful is getting to be a routine for spingears, as barbitu8 found out after asking about the cat eating pampas leaves and being left with a speculation from spingears about homeopathic medicine (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=5758877#post5758877).

This was 10 examples from the 50 latest posts. Only 20 percent, you say. Well I don't have the energy to go through another fifty, mostly because the coding is a bitch. But the pattern is clear - and it is that spingears enjoys coming to threads where he has nothing to contribute, just to post potshots and make himself look smart.

That's being a jerk.

[Reeder]

Either a jerk or someone who has nothing at all to add to the thread.

He's just looking for a cheap add to his post count.

[Otto]

Roland Deschain got banned?

I'd ask what happened but the easier answer might be what didn't happen?

link to the straw that broke the camel's back?

[ivylass]

Otto, go to ATMB. All will be revealed.

[mhendo]

Roland Deschain got banned?

I'd ask what happened but the easier answer might be what didn't happen?Look here (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=300796).

As for this thread, it certainly does seem that spingears spends an inordinate amount of his time, and an inordinate percentage of his posts, just acting like a tool. Seems harmless enough, i guess, but that sort of schtick does get annoying after a while.

[Squink]

All will be revealed.Not anymore it won't! :)

[Reeder]

I still have never determined if it's Spin-gears or Sping-ears.


Any help?

[Guinastasia]

Not being helpful is getting to be a routine for spingears, as barbitu8 found out after asking about the cat eating pampas leaves and being left with a speculation from spingears about homeopathic medicine (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=5758877#post5758877).



Actually, his answer there was correct-my cat Fluffy used to chomp on my mother's spider plants when she had an upset stomach, to make herself yack.


Other than that, yeah, he's an ass.

[Otto]

I still have never determined if it's Spin-gears or Sping-ears.


Any help? It's spring-ears.

[Nightwatch Trailer]

Springears was pitted a while back (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=291657&highlight=spingears) and never showed. Oversight? Cowardice? You decide.

What if they threw a Pitting and the Pittee didn't come? If a Doper is Pitted in a forest and isn't around to know it, did it really happen?

[Rufus Xavier]

I still have never determined if it's Spin-gears or Sping-ears.


Any help?


Spin gears

[Charlie Tan]

Actually, his answer there was correct-my cat Fluffy used to chomp on my mother's spider plants when she had an upset stomach, to make herself yack.


OK, maybe I was a bit harsh on that one.
I get a feeling that he's trying to emulate Cecil. Start with a semi snarky remark, continue to answer question.
The thing is, the less of a factual answer he's got, the snarkier he gets.

[HMS Irruncible]

I'd like to join the others in asking Spingears to refrain from posting in GQ unless he has something factual to add to the discussion.

He seems to thrive almost exclusively on the drive-by posting technique. Sometimes it's a useful drive-by regarding mechanics or machinery, but other times it's a bizarre snipe for no apparent reason at all. He also uses the time-honored bullshit technique of saying: "Here's my totally uninformed WAG, I'm sure someone else will be along to provide more information...." (If anyone else is guilty of this, please stop.

It's no use calling him on it; he doesn't seem to return to the thread to see it. I did try it when he crapped in one of my threads (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=292720&highlight=symmetrical) but he didn't return to the thread to respond. I doubt he'll even read this pitting.

[Chefguy]

I've been an occasional smart-ass in GQ myself (only after the question has been answered). Since the people who administer this board don't seem to have a problem with the occasional barb once the question has been resolved, I fail to see why you feel the need to form a lynch mob. Not everyone has something profound or relevant to say, but may feel they are contributing in some fashion with their comments.

While people like this may be annoying from time to time, I would be somewhat more concerned about someone who would actually take the time to hunt down 50 of my posts to find out what I'm up to.

[Ignatz]

I still have never determined if it's Spin-gears or Sping-ears.


Any help?


Spinge - ars

[Roland Orzabal]

While people like this may be annoying from time to time, I would be somewhat more concerned about someone who would actually take the time to hunt down 50 of my posts to find out what I'm up to.

And therein lies the rub. If I'd need to actively hunt the few posts in which you did this, odds are I wouldn't associate you with that type of behavior in the first place. Concerning our friend Spingears, well...that sort of thing has never really bothered me personally, and yet even I can recall at least four threads off the top of my head where he did that. Furthermore, that's about all I can recall about my encounters with his posting history.

Look at it this way: if all Lib ever did was shoot off his trademark drive-by one-liners, instead of occasionally engaging in some seriously compelling debates and presenting a unique and well-thought-out point of view, you'd look at him a little differently too.

Then there's that guy who always talks about that band, y'know, Duran Duran or something...but let's not drag him into this. ;)

[InvidiousCourgette]

I still have never determined if it's Spin-gears or Sping-ears.


Any help?
I think it is Spin G Ears

[Charlie Tan]

While people like this may be annoying from time to time, I would be somewhat more concerned about someone who would actually take the time to hunt down 50 of my posts to find out what I'm up to.
You know, clicking on the user name and picking "show all posts by user" brings up 25 posts, with a snippet from the first line in the post. Considering spingears' posting style, it wasn't all that difficult ti find the offensive posts. Clicking to the second page hardly qualifies as hunting down.

Have you read any of the posts I provided in the OP?

An occasional snarkiness is ok. When so many of his GQ answers are there just for him to try to look smart, he's being a jerk. Do you have anything substantial to provide which could serve as an argument contrary to my position?

[Chefguy]

You know, clicking on the user name and picking "show all posts by user" brings up 25 posts, with a snippet from the first line in the post. Considering spingears' posting style, it wasn't all that difficult ti find the offensive posts. Clicking to the second page hardly qualifies as hunting down.

Have you read any of the posts I provided in the OP?

An occasional snarkiness is ok. When so many of his GQ answers are there just for him to try to look smart, he's being a jerk. Do you have anything substantial to provide which could serve as an argument contrary to my position?

Hey, whatever blows up your skirt. I haven't read any of his posts because what other people post is pretty much their business. If it's against the board rules, then it's the Mods' business. If it's directed at me, then it becomes my business.

Providing "anything substantial" is not what the Pit is about. If you want serious argument, try pitching your bitch in GD; otherwise, your thread is fair game.

[Charlie Tan]

Hey, whatever blows up your skirt. I haven't read any of his posts because what other people post is pretty much their business. If it's against the board rules, then it's the Mods' business. If it's directed at me, then it becomes my business.

Providing "anything substantial" is not what the Pit is about. If you want serious argument, try pitching your bitch in GD; otherwise, your thread is fair game.

Since this types of threads belong in the pit, I can't take it anywhere else.
I take it you have nothing to contribute but a holier than thou 'tude. And your logic is flawed. If, as you say, other people's posts are their business - then what are you doing in this thread in the first place?

[Chefguy]

Since this types of threads belong in the pit, I can't take it anywhere else.
I take it you have nothing to contribute but a holier than thou 'tude. And your logic is flawed. If, as you say, other people's posts are their business - then what are you doing in this thread in the first place?

Nice try. Doesn't wash.

[Brainiac4]

Nice try. Doesn't wash.
Why not? If what other people post is their business, not yours, then you're being inconsistent in complaining about The Gaspode's post complaining about spingears. Since, after all, it's what someone else posted.

Or is your point that you're not Pitting The Gaspode, since it doesn't matter that much, but replying is worth it? In which case, how is The Gaspode supposed to reply in-context to spingears, since the behavior occurs in GQ and GD, where contentious behavior is not permitted?

Or am I being whooshed?

[spinky]

Ah, you have much to learn. Complaining about other people's posts sucks, and is for busybodies. Complaining about other people's complaining, on the other hand, is totally for awesome.
;)

[neuroman]

I agree - producing a constant string of WAGs and condescending remarks in GQ is rude and useless. Please stop it, spingears.

[Bryan Ekers]

Damn. I'm WAY funnier than Spi Ng Ears (from 'Nam?) and I love quipping, and HE gets the Pit thread?



Yes, I'm attention-seeking, just like him.

[HMS Irruncible]

Damn. I'm WAY funnier than Spi Ng Ears (from 'Nam?) and I love quipping, and HE gets the Pit thread?

The overwhelmingly funny thing about this spelling byplay (some might argue the only funny thing) is that ol' spingears was actually socking under the name pingear at one point, a situation which has since been dulyrectified by the mods (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5658489&postcount=8) .

[racinchikki]

Spingears annoys me, and he has ever since he once responded to my saying Originally Posted by racinchikki
I use quilts. They don't get matted or threadbare from washing - they're made of cotton just like the sheets, and SHEETS don't get matted or threadbare, so why would the quilt? And my sister has a duvet which she purchased at, I believe, Bed Bath & Beyond.
By asking
Originally Posted by spingears
Do you haave hand made or commercial Quilt(s).?
Do they or dont they get matted. Your message is not clearly stated.

[neuroman]

Springears was pitted a while back (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=291657&highlight=spingears) and never showed. Oversight? Cowardice? You decide.
My vote's on cowardice.