Why is the SDMB special?

[C K Dexter Haven]

We are a board that has no special affiliation with nuclear science of any kind.

On the third of this month there was a question in GQ asking how dangerous it is to handle weapons grade plutonium.

Five hours later there was a post that started, "I write safety basis documents for a facility that processes weapons grade plutonium."

Stuff like that happens all the time.

Explain how we are not better than everyone else.I got a kick out of this, and I thought it might be fun to accumulate some examples here in ATMB about "what makes us special." I'm not asking for personal feelings, mind, but for actual real-life examples. It might make it somewhat easier for newcomers to read this kind of thing in one thread.

Please, no thread-shitting. If you want to write complaints, Lord knows there are always plenty of Pit threads and that's the place for them. Here, I'm just looking for examples of what differentiates us (in a positive way.)

[Musicat]

Explain how we are not better than everyone else.Not only are we better, we are humble about it. :)

[MsWhatsit]

We currently have a Pit thread running where people are vigorously discussing whether or not it is appropriate to bring up Andrew Jackson's genocidal Indian policies in any Andrew Jackson-related discussion that comes up.

I love this. I mean, I love that someone posts, "God, will you STOP thread-shitting in every Andrew Jackson thread" and the response isn't "uh, you two are a bunch of nerds" but rather an animated argument about Andrew Jackson. I love that we have enough threads that mention A. Jackson in the first place that this is even an issue.

[zut]

Here's one of my favorites: A GQ thread asking Where does that stereotypical "oriental" song come from? (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=300466) (asking about the "Kung Fu Fighting" riff that "everybody" instantly associates with Oriental music.) Some good discussion, and some pretty good research into earlier versions of the riff. Even better, on page three (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=300466&page=3&pp=50), guest mani returns over a year later with a slew of songs, all the way back to the teens, that include the "Kung Fu" riff. A whole lot of unpaid research went into this question; not something you'd see at "Yahoo! Answers".

[Amp]

The proper punctuation and grammar alone sets us apart from all the other message boards. Just try reading some other boards sometime. I am not a Grammar Nazi but even I have my limits.

[bbs2k]

It is special, though it's hard to explain.

My friends and family sort of josh me about it when I mention it. "How are you internet friends?" ::Sigh::

What sealed it for me was my first Dopefest, when I got to meet some really cool, and real people. I suppose I'm rather a nuisance sometimes for TPTB, even though I rather respect the effort they put in to keeping this place a clean and directed message board.

Basically, I like being a resource in the GQ for laboratory related questions. Other than that I am a reader.

I am also a sarcastic ass in other forums, but those have gotten familiar with my sometimes immature posting style know that I really have nothing but love for everyone here.

It is a special place, even though I cannot accurately describe it.

[Derleth]

Chronos and Qadgop the Mercotan. Two posters with exceptional specialized knowledge (physics and medicine, respectively) that commonly post responses to just about any question within their respective fields of expertise.

We have plenty of other posters like those two. It might be contrary to the spirit of things to list all of them, however. I just used those two names as examples of a general phenomenon.

Something notable by its absence: Junk posts, and not just spam. It's possible for any moderated forum to keep spam out but it takes a certain culture to keep the racists, bigots, and other morons at bay. We've even survived invasions of the yahoos and retained our peculiar character.

[Annie-Xmas]

Members helping members (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=415370). We are nice!

[twickster]

Derleth -- another poster with specialized knowlege he's generous about sharing is colibri, an ornithologist whose knowledge goes way beyond birds to wildlife biology in general, plus evolution.

[jjimm]

Because the administration of the board respect us so much, they get us to do their testimonial marketing for them!

[Duck Duck Goose]

We are a witty place. Not "funny", because there are websites that are kneeslappingly funnier, but "witty".

And true wit takes intelligence--the painful pun, the snappy comeback, the elegantly constructed parody are not the province of the mouthbreather--and since this is an intelligent place, this is also a witty place.

And, inevitably, this is a snarky place, because when you get a whole bunch of bright, witty people together in a room, sooner or later there will be wit at someone's expense, and there will be tears.

And what makes the SDMB unique is not the wit, or the intelligence, or the snark, but the fact that the snark never seems to lead to a complete board meltdown and collapse, with huge contingents of members rocketing off in all directions to start their own boards in an assortment of collective snits, leaving the remaining membership of a decimated SDMB to circle the wagons and defensively insist that it wasn't their fault. The SDMB, uniquely, hangs together like one of those marriages that has onlookers baffled as to why it continues to work.

I think that one of the reasons it continues to work is that this isn't a one-man show; the other boards where I've seen complete meltdowns have all been small enterprises, run by a tiny core group of insiders, if not just the board's owner himself/herself. So when people get in a snit at these tiny boards, it rapidly turns into Clique vs. Clique, and it all ends in tears, and one or more entire Cliques goes stomping off, which leaves a sizeable dent in the board population, never very large to begin with.

But when people get in a snit at the SDMB, there are plenty of cooler heads around to pour water on the fire. People can go stomping off individually, but it's statistically never going to be likely that the entire board population will have a mass temper tantrum and all go stomping off.

[Colibri]

I recall a thread a long time ago with some questions about mountain-climbing. Someone posted to it who was actually in the middle of an expedition climbing in the Andes.

Aside from expertise in many specialized fields, we also have members from all over the world who can give first hand information on different regions and cultures.


Derleth -- another poster with specialized knowlege he's generous about sharing is colibri, an ornithologist whose knowledge goes way beyond birds to wildlife biology in general, plus evolution.

Thanks. Of course you yourself might be mentioned with regard to editing and word puzzles. :)

[bufftabby]

...the other boards...

There are other boards?!

No, seriously, I've been lurking for nine years, and only joined a few days ago. Obviously, you people have got some interesting things to say, so interesting I've been preparing myself for this long so that I could hope to be somewhat interesting myself. Mission maybe not accomplished in this post, but you smell what I'm stepping in.

[Fear Itself]

During an especially deadly period in the occupation if Iraq, we had a member posting from Baghdad*, which I found particularly meaningful. The calibre of our international contributors who can comment on world issues with a personal perspective is very valuable in the fight against Ignorance.


*Anybody remember his name? Is he still around?

[Duckster]

We are a witty place. Not "funny", because there are websites that are kneeslappingly funnier, but "witty".
And we try to keep some of our ducks in a row, too.

:D

[Really Not All That Bright]

Obviously, you people have got some interesting things to say, so interesting I've been preparing myself for this long so that I could hope to be somewhat interesting myself. Mission maybe not accomplished in this post, but you smell what I'm stepping in.
If I'm supposed to be able to smell what you're stepping in from here, I think that would qualify as interesting...

[cards]

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=449860

This type of thread won't be found anywhere else and Hypno-Toad's response at post 15 is the type of priceless wit and insight that is often found here.

[Darth Sensitive]

I liked gabriela's information on her job as a coroner, and I was sad to see that she's now listed as a guest.

[Nature's Call]

I asked a question about topology in this thread (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=346066). Within a half an hour a Doper named Mathochist provided a great reply. From there others chimed in expanding the discussion. Topology! I've had other experiences with quantum mechanics, genetics, computers. I've enjoyed others' threads that did the same with medicine, pornographers, art/culture and countless other specialized human activities. Where else but SDMB?

[vison]

My first internet experience was as a member of a Lord of the Rings forum. The site is still there and I still post occasionally. I joined several other LOTR forums over the years, two of which I still post at regularly. I've made wonderful friends there. Not much discussion of LOTR any more, of course, but many interesting literary threads, friendship/support threads, writers' threads, etc. Some of us have met in person and the "imaginary friends" have mostly turned out to be terrific real world friends.

But SDMB is different, for sure. Last year I joined another MB famous for its efforts in determining what is or what is not an Urban Legend, etc. It is a good place but has one fault: I think the moderation or administration is capricious and inconsistent. I felt that I was walking on eggshells all the time.

SDMB has the BBQ pit. That is, I think, the one thing that makes the biggest difference between this site and that one. After I've been here awhile I might think differently, but at this point I think it is the safety valve that allows this board to function so well.

I've lived through 3 board "meltdowns". I've seen friends banned and seen others NOT banned who should have been. People flounced out vowing they would never be back. If some of those boards had had "the pit" things might have been different.

The first internet friend I made was a physicist who occasionally worked as a consultant for STNG and who was an LOTR fanatic. Another is a bible scholar who can and does read Greek, Latin, Aramaic and Hebrew. Another is an evangelical Christian clergyman. Another is a diehard Libertarian/atheist. One is an aircraft controller and I will never forget his posts in the wake of 9/11. Another is a young man in Australia who I think will one day be Prime Minister there - if the Aussies have any sense, that is.

What is my point, you ask? I guess my point is that SDMB seems to me to be a destination that my internet wanderings inevitably led me to. I was never involved in the swooning threads, no longer have much to say about Frodo and Aragorn, but am passionately interested in the world around me, in issues such as global warming, the American presidential race, the future of agriculture, literature, etc.

It's never easy being a newbie and I am sure not at ease yet. It takes awhile to know your way around, to know any given poster's style, to operate within the unwritten boundaries. I also think that many of us, if not most, are introverts who find "virtual" relationships easier and less troublesome than real world ones. (Not that we don't have those real world ones, I am not suspecting the other members of SDMB of being hairy comic book guyz who don't get out much.)

There may be other places as swell, but I'm not going to look any further.

[Cheez_Whia]

Because you can start a thread on Subversive Cross Stitch (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=450375), and get quotes from Sartre, Dickens, and rude bumper stickers?

We're well read around here! :p

[DrFidelius]

Meh.

I'm just too lazy to find somewhere else to go.

[rocking chair]

i think what makes this place special is the curiosity. everyone who stumbles onto the site or reads the books and looks up the sites, is very curious. we love to learn new things. it also makes us rather tolerant.

so there you have it. curiosity and tolerance.

[Mbossa]

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=278181

A Doper finds herself temporarily broke and asks a GQ about coping with starvation for a short period. In the end, other Dopers give her enough money to eat pretty decently for the next two weeks.

[Sophistry and Illusion]

During an especially deadly period in the occupation if Iraq, we had a member posting from Baghdad*, which I found particularly meaningful. The calibre of our international contributors who can comment on world issues with a personal perspective is very valuable in the fight against Ignorance.


*Anybody remember his name? Is he still around?
madmonk, I believe. I'm pretty sure he's still around, although I'm not sure he's still in Iraq.

[Noone Special]

madmonk28 (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=17797), to be exact. And he's in Indonesia now, at least according to his profile.

What makes this place special for me is, to be repetitive, the level of discourse -- all POV's seem to exist, and are presented passionately; but for the most part*, they are presented coherently and respectfully.

*And sometimes not, but you can't win 'em all...

[glee]

How about the thread that listed the best 100 SDMB threads (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=346360&highlight=lord+rings+written).

Including May 5, 1945 - we shall remember. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=23572&highlight=1945+coldfire) :cool:

and

The Telemarketer Speaks. I Respond (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=51270) :smack:

and

If LotR Had Been Written By Someone Else!? (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=138905) :D

[Autolycus]

No banner ads (and when we did it sure was fun watching the sparks fly)

[Vlad/Igor]

I don't have a specific example, but this board is so much like the internal BB I participated in at IU. It was called the Forum and was barely tolerated by IT/TBTB, since, at the time, the network was in transition from arpaNET/UUNET to open FTP/WWW. At one time there were loads of college grads and undergrads as well as profs who had questions, answers and banter much like what I have seen here. When the Forum was shut down, I was in despair of ever finding such a community again. I feel fortunate to have found this one, despite the problems since 2005. The SDMB is what the Forum would have been if it had been international, not just limited to one educational institution.

Vlad/Igor

[JimOfAllTrades]

For a general interest board we have people in many fields who are willing to take time post answers.

We have doctors, lawyers, mechanics, and every kind of IT professional you can think of. We have people who write TV shows, manage libraries, teach, go to school, are experts in various scholarly fields such as bible history, cold reading, magic, constitutional law, how to make the perfect martini, and as Dex mentioned, nuclear safety! And again, these people will take time not just to answer questions, but sometimes to engage in multiple post dialogs over hours, days or weeks to answer questions.

I asked a question on Excel spreadsheets and got someone (Morbo, who I think works for Microsoft) along with others who gave very specific instructions on how to make simple changes that made my spreadsheets 75% smaller and 80% faster to load.

Dipsticks? We’ve got a few, but then again, too few to mention, or at least too few to complain too bitterly about. The moderation here is some of the best I’ve seen on any board. The couple of times I’ve got warnings were well deserved.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all high brow discourse and the choirs of angels. The political discussions run the gamut from talking points spouting toadies to incredibly well informed posters. Some questions get lost in a grammar nitpick. But all in all, there are very few places on the web, especially general interest boards, where the signal to noise ratio is anywhere near what this place usually puts out.

Throw in that this is the official home of Cecil on the net, and how can you resist?

[ivylass]

You guys make me smarter. I find myself pushing the wittiness envelope just to keep up.

And the hoarding thread is typical of the insightful, thoughtful, discussion we have around here.

[Hilarity N. Suze]

I keep reading the thread title as, "What is the SDMB special?" and answering it in my head as, "Crockpot brownies with a side order of bacon salt."

[blondebear]

This is one of the most dynamic forums around. There are new posts on various topics no matter what the time of day. A grand community of literate members with a great sense of humor. Expert opinions, and folks with google fu to the nth degree. Being this kind of Doper is something you can rightly boast of, to young children and senior citizens alike.

(And it doesn't have avatars or posted images!)

[picunurse]

No one discriminates against us OFs!

[China Guy]

There are plenty of examples of Dopers with babies that had serious problems. I know at least in my case, not only was the board a good place to vent in real time while at a very depressing Neo-natal ICU, but also that I received a number of unsolicited offers to help. Eg, people willing to buy and Fedex special high tech baby bottles at their own expense that day if I had trouble getting an on line supplier to ship overseas.

[Ruby]

Let me get this straight... We're kind, generous, snarky, witty, smart, well-read, humble, curious, lazy, tolerant, creative, crafty, dynamic, and.... edgy (have you ever heard about pan-fried semen?). :dubious:

That's why I love this place so much.

I started a recent thread asking for help buying sheets. http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=449529

Within 16 posts, I got a response from Hockey Monkey, the former cotton buyer for a major textile company that made high end sheeting.

It's amazing to me how generous the people are here with not only their wallets, but their knowledge.

I've recently been lurking at another board just because they are the "largest" general interest board just to see what it's like "out there". (I usually don't go anywhere else but a few of the neighborhood forums like Opal's place.) With flashy avatars and "d00d that suxxors" posts, I'm always glad to come home.

[Princhester]

Plus we we don't just have people from the office/academia/admin/legal end of the spectrum. I remember a thread about how concrete trucks worked and a guy who'd driven a concrete truck for decades chipped in.

Then there was the time there was news that a Kiwi scientist made certain fairly startling claims consequent upon the recovery of remains of a gigantic squid. A thread was started, one thing lead to another, and next thing we know the very same scientist is posting as a guest in the thread in question, defending his claims. We have pull.

[Mark Ryle]

Originally Posted by flight
We are a board that has no special affiliation with nuclear science of any kind.
On the third of this month there was a question in GQ asking how dangerous it is to handle weapons grade plutonium.
Five hours later there was a post that started, "I write safety basis documents for a facility that processes weapons grade plutonium."
Stuff like that happens all the time.That was Poster #6, and there have been a couple others contributing first-hand knowledge in that relatively short thread since then.

Poster 6's (Santo Rugger) first observation, before going into more detail: "I write safety basis documents for a facility that processes weapons grade plutonium. The previous four posters have it pretty much covered."

This points up another thing I have noticed, our non-experts hit pretty close to the mark, and quickly.

[Pushkin]

Chronos and Qadgop the Mercotan. Two posters with exceptional specialized knowledge (physics and medicine, respectively) that commonly post responses to just about any question within their respective fields of expertise

The upshot of all this medical expertise is that although you can't ask for medical help on the boards, if you collapsed at a doper meet, you'd stand a good chance of survival.

I asked a question on Excel spreadsheets and got someone (Morbo, who I think works for Microsoft) along with others who gave very specific instructions on how to make simple changes that made my spreadsheets 75% smaller and 80% faster to load

I like the solutions to painful yet seemingly elementary problems with PCs that we get on the boards. Answers that come quickly and succinctly too I should add.

[Brainiac4]

The incidence of people posting "First!" is way, WAY lower than pretty much any other board I have ever visited.

[Flander]

Why does the SDMB rock so much? Because when you realize it's 3:00 am, you don't feel like you wasted your day on a website. You feel like you spent it with some good people.

[Really Not All That Bright]

Because of QED and Tamerlane, along with everything mentioned above.

So many experts, so little time to ask them silly questions ;)

[Gymnopithys]

Because I haven't quit after three years. ;)

[rowrrbazzle]

Our dedicated, long-suffering, near-saintly patient mods, past and present.

[essell]

Well, if we're talking general points, not specifics, I've got to agree tolerance.
Not Tolerance like you get in the real world: "I respect your diversity to the extent the law requires" but tolerance of individuals.

Even the most ridiculous question will get responses. Many telling the person they're being ridiculous, but also giving honest advice.

That's also a valid point I think. Our lack of "sugar coating" can make this place feel cold to some, but it only makes the boards work better. No one has to guess what someone thinks. They'll tell you. Oh, will they tell you.

[Colibri]

Because I haven't quit after three years. ;)

Because we have members named after obscure species of tropical birds (the Latin name, no less). :D

[Washoe]

A Doper finds herself temporarily broke and asks a GQ about coping with starvation for a short period. In the end, other Dopers give her enough money to eat pretty decently for the next two weeks.
I was just thinking about that thread a couple of days ago. That was really cool.

[Pushkin]

Even the most ridiculous question will get responses. Many telling the person they're being ridiculous, but also giving honest advice

However much that may put you off lunch. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=450617)

[Sailboat]

Diversity of experience among our posters seems to be a hallmark. If it were possible to compile a list of the "Ask the..." threads, one would have an intriguing advertisement for the SDMB right there.

Sailboat

[Pushkin]

There was a compilation thread a while back, it was quite a list.

We also did a round up of the different SMDB experts that we could think of off the top of our heads. Again, it was a worthy list.

[What Exit?]

Diversity of experience among our posters seems to be a hallmark. If it were possible to compile a list of the "Ask the..." threads, one would have an intriguing advertisement for the SDMB right there.

Sailboat
The "Ask the..." Anthology Version3.0 (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=442565) & The "Ask the..." Anthology Version 2.0 (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=394701)
Both by the unofficial chief Librarian of the Dope, Idle Thoughts He did a great job with these and an earlier one, I don't have the link to.

This one was mentioned by Pushkin: Occupations of SDMB members (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=342129)

We also had this one: What's your area of expertise? (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=369730)

I'll throw this one in too: 50 Greatest Straight Dope Rants (http://208.100.26.199/sdmb/showthread.php?t=332231)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I saw this thread as it started and I have been struggling to put into words what makes the SDMB special.

I tend to think of the SDMB as an online corner tavern where I can hangout with the regulars, shoot the breeze, argue the age old debates, welcome newcomers, talk sports and movies, and ask and answer oddball questions. I also think of it as an excellent reference library with active and helpful information specialist that are always helpful in tracking down oddball information and usually backing it up.

I think the moderation that keeps the trolls to a minimum and the grammar Nazis that keep poor and sloppy writers like myself on our toes, make the reading environment a great and literate experience.

I think the fact that in a 10 minute period you can debate politics, history, best movies, worst actors, give sympathy to another doper, get advise about beer brewing and get expert science knowledge from the many generous scientist and medical people that give their time and share in our community.

I like the fact, that we mostly tolerate opposing views (at least outside of GD).

Then there is the pie of course.

Jim

[Musicat]

Well, we have Lekatt. How many other forums can make that claim?

Or will own up to it.

[nd_n8]

I keep reading the thread title as, "What is the SDMB special?" and answering it in my head as, "Crockpot brownies with a side order of bacon salt."
And this is a perfect example of what makes the SDMB special for me :D

[Gymnopithys]

Because we have members named after obscure species of tropical birds (the Latin name, no less). :D

Thanks, birdie. We belong to the same family :cool: (you may dispute that).

[BJMoose]

While there have been many specific examples, I don't think anyone has expressed the generality:

The greatest feature of the SDMB is the sheer breadth of topics covered.

At any given time you can jump between discussions of, say, "Was Mozart a Hack?" (best line: Mozart was the Barry Manilow of his day); obscure questions of physics; discussion of oddball place names; politics of every possible stripe; "Ask the Prostitute" (not that I did); the latest Pitting of some television Blathering Head. If you can't find any active thread that interests you at any given time, your cat needs to call the undertaker for you. (Reminds me: we even had a thread on "Oscar the Grim Reaper Kitty"!)


This, of course, is no surprise, since the board's reason for being is the polymath writings of Cecil Adams. Things will always be interesting when you get a few thousand Cecil-wannabes together. . . .

[psiekier]

Huh... I used to be a Charter Member once upon a time, but I guess I let my membership lapse once too often. What do I like about the SDMB? I'd like to present a list: 1920’s-style Death Rays Rio, by Duran Duran Hi, Opal! I burning your dog!Well, thank Og that was short. Once. In 1967. For 20 minutes. ;)

And to think - we accomplished this without any photoshopped images of Admiral Ackbar!

[mr. jp]

"Ask the Prostitute"

link?

[SSG Schwartz]

link?

I think the OP misremembered. It was ask the guy who used to frequent prostitutes. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=161233) I don't recall seeing a prostitute post here.

SSG Schwartz

[WhyNot]

link?
Yeah, link?

I was so hoping it would be on Idle Thought's list under "Work Specific - Customer Relations, Service, and Dealing with People", but alas, no!

[Duckster]

Here is why the SDMB is special ---> Can someone please adopt my 2 catz? (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=450810)

A Canadian Doper is asking anyone to adopt his two indoor cats. He's willing to pay shipping costs, including to the USA, within reason. Read as fellow Dopers begin to step up to the plate and offer support, and hopefully, a good home to two well-loved cats.

The SDMB at its best. Let's just hope it's a success, too.

[Unintentionally Blank]

It's not that we're smart. It's that in my 'normal' life, the smartness is concentrated in left brained activities. I come here because it has smart people of a religious, sexual, and educational backgrounds.

I can sit back and say, 'Damn, that one smart farmer|artist|dancer|surgeon|soldier|author|geek|vegetarian|athiest|gay|catholic|Indian|Asian|monk|p ainter|librarian|painter'. And it's a point of view I'd not otherwise have been exposed to.

And we're are all perverted. I like that.

[Unintentionally Blank]

(missed the edit window)

p ainter|librarian|painter

And now you see why I picked my user name...I get the overall stuff right, it's the details I fail to catch.

[blondebear]

Now that we've provided all of these well-reasoned, intelligent reasons for potential members to pay up, I only have one question:

What is our cut?

[Lobsang]

Google is your friend.

SDMB is everyone's perfect phone-a-friend.

[Lynn Bodoni]

Well, in this thread, (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=448822) we get this post: I am gonna go freeze my nuts right now...I'll report back soon. And he did, in fact, report back with the results.

[Moe]

I'm reminded of how cool I thought it was when I read this (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=134179)
thread about the previous night's record-breaking win on Jeopardy. In post 14, the winner comes in to respond to some of the comments, and by the end of the thread there were no less than 4 Jeopardy-Contestant-dopers present (I think there's another thread around 2004ish which attempts to document all the JCDs and finds around 10 or 15. Not sure, but I guess by now there's at least a few more).

It's not simply that this board makes me feel dumb, but more a matter of degree.

[Ellen Cherry]

Here's one I liked.

In a thread titled Help the dishwasher newbie, please. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=446744&highlight=loading+dishwasher) soliciting advice for a proper way to load the machine, AHoosierMama comes in with


Holy Crap - something I know about for once. I work for an internationtional appliance manufacturer and write the manuals for their dishwashers. Here is the straight dope. ...

The response, she have zee ring of authority!

[Annie-Xmas]

And let's not forget the only thead (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=86458) I have bookmarked--The 9/11 thread.

Being in New Jersey at the time with all our TV coverage down, I really appreciated having people post on waht was going on. And kudos to Opalcat for putting her webcam on the TV.

[BJMoose]

I think the OP misremembered. It was ask the guy who used to frequent prostitutes. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=161233) I don't recall seeing a prostitute post here.

SSG Schwartz
My apoligies to the hamsters for all the searces my comment must have engendered (I shoulda known). Truth is, I don't specifically remember an "Ask the Prostitute" thread, just have a vague sense that such a thread has, uh, popped up, But I wouldn't put it past this group. Perhaps SSG Schwartz has it right.

[Brynda]

What, no mention of doper hook-ups? :D I wouldn't have met my husband without the Dope. That wins it a place in my heart forever.

[Thalion]

I've always thought that this thread (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=383869) is a great example of why this place is so special. You can't swing a pan of fried semen around in here without hitting a freaking doctor! I doubt there is any board (outside of those specific to a certain type of study) that has so many M.D.s, Ph.Ds and J.D.s.

[AuntiePam]

We have pull.

Indeed. Jim Beaver (Bobby on Supernatural, Ellsworth on Deadwood, etc. etc.) was a consultant on the movie Hollywoodland, and when he was invited to join a thread on George Reeves, he did. I don't think he would have bothered if this was an "ordinary" message board.

He even flirted a bit with somebody, if I remember right.

[Rick]

Time for the I can't believe this thread has gone this many posts with nobody mentioning post.
We have a real live rocket scientist here. (Stranger on a Train)
what other board can say that? :)

[kunilou]

Kitties. And porn. In the same forum. Sometimes the same thread. Hell, sometimes the same post!

There is nothing, repeat nothing, that someone won't post about, and nothing that is asked seriously that won't draw at least one serious response.

This is the world's greatest 2 a.m. drunken dorm room discussion.

[twickster]

Indeed. Jim Beaver (Bobby on Supernatural, Ellsworth on Deadwood, etc. etc.) was a consultant on the movie Hollywoodland, and when he was invited to join a thread on George Reeves, he did. I don't think he would have bothered if this was an "ordinary" message board.

He even flirted a bit with somebody, if I remember right.
Eve -- of course. ;)

[zuma]

For me:

Rick answering my car questions for free, and always being right.

Mafia games

[Nava]

Picture a thread along the lines of "ask the guy who used to troll bathrooms for gay sex" in this board. Now picture it in most other boards - 'nuff said!

[Rick]

For me:

Rick answering my car questions for free, and always being right.

Mafia games
My pleasure.

[Mtgman]

In six and a half years, I have never been goatsed, tubgirled, or ricrolled. That's saying something unique in my online experience.

Enjoy,
Steven

[brownsfan]

Knowing that I'll die before I finish reading the archives makes me happy. If I had to wake up one day without my reading fix, I'd want a 1920's style death ray to end my misery. You guys freaking rock.

Oh wait, I forgot that I vowed not to die before the Browns win the Super Bowl. I guess that means I'm going to live forever. Damn!

[Gymnopithys]

Because I get answers to all the smart or silly questions I never thought of asking. :smack:

[Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor]

Come for the humor, stay for the Pie! :D

[ivylass]

Not to sound like a brown-noser, but I really think a lot of the credit has to go to the mods and the report function.

Fools are not suffered gladly. Spam threads are quickly wished into the cornfield. We can holler "Clean up on aisle 3!" and it gets taken care of.

I've been on boards where people went out of their way to be nasty to each other, to troll, to pick fights, and the mods were non-existent.

The mods help keep things clean around here. And because things are kept clean, the trolls are kept out, the good folk stay, we invite other good folk, and we help maintain the status of the boards.

[wonder9]

goatsed, tubgirled, or ricrolled.

Ummmm....
Can someone translate for me? I'm online all the time but I have no idea what it might mean to be goatsed, tubgirled, or ricrolled. Who knows, maybe it happens to me all the time.

(I feel so cheap)

[Unintentionally Blank]

Ummmm....
Can someone translate for me? I'm online all the time but I have no idea what it might mean to be goatsed, tubgirled, or ricrolled. Who knows, maybe it happens to me all the time.

(I feel so cheap)

Ignorance is bliss, wonder9 there are things that you just can't un-see. :eek:

[Musicat]

I have no idea what it might mean to be goatsed, tubgirled, or ricrolled. Consider yourself lucky, and count your blessings.

[Musicat]

Wonder9, if you must, Here is an article (not a picture) about Tubgirl. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubgirl#Tubgirl.com) Above it is a mention of Goatse. Even the article is not for the squeamish, so don't say I didn't warn you.

And it will take you at least 2 clicks to see an image, so I hope I didn't upset a Mod.

[glee]

Time for the I can't believe this thread has gone this many posts with nobody mentioning post.
We have a real live rocket scientist here. (Stranger on a Train)
what other board can say that? :)

People want to know why this board is so good? - the above shows the reason is not rocket science!

[Quint]

My best experience here is this (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=166094) thread, sort of the opposite of the example given in the OP. I joined this board to settle a bet with a buddy, but basically no glory came of it. I had given up on ever learning the answer to my question when, 18 months later Earl Snake -Hips Tucker comes through with a link to an answer. Too late to settle that particular bet, sadly, but I was blown away that someone would remember a question for that amount of time and take the time to provide an answer after the question was a dim memory.
Earl, you are still my hero, and the reason I continue to lurk here. Sadly, the link no longer works and I can't remember the details of the answer right now. Ignorance is not easily vanquished!

[Musicat]

No subject is too obscure for us to have experts. Would you believe gothic doll experts? (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=451398)

[Scissorjack]

What makes this place special is that it's possible to have a heated debate for four pages, with cites and erudition a-flyin' while still being barbed, funny and accessible, on the philosophical implications of how to pluralise the word "octopus". (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=384079)

[What Exit?]

What makes this place special is that it's possible to have a heated debate for four pages, with cites and erudition a-flyin' while still being barbed, funny and accessible, on the philosophical implications of how to pluralise the word "octopus". (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=384079)
That was a fun debate and a very good thread. I especially like -Pliny the Elder, Natural History cite for Pegasi.

I did not realize you were Case Sensitive. You were quite the mensch throughtout that thread.

Jim

[wonder9]

Wonder9, if you must, Here is an article (not a picture) about Tubgirl. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubgirl#Tubgirl.com) Above it is a mention of Goatse. Even the article is not for the squeamish, so don't say I didn't warn you.

And it will take you at least 2 clicks to see an image, so I hope I didn't upset a Mod.


OH MY GOD!!! The description ALONE ensured I would never, ever, ever, click on that link.
I am totally revolted. If there was a god, I'd be able to take my question back and forget I ever heard the terms.

[Scissorjack]

You were quite the mensch throughtout that thread.

Is that good or bad?

[What Exit?]

Is that good or bad?
Roughly means "A Man" or a gentleman.

Merriam Webster says:
Main Entry: mensch ... Pronunciation: \ˈmen(t)sh\ ... Function: noun
Etymology: Yiddish mentsh human being, from Middle High German mensch, from Old High German mennisco; akin to Old English man human being, man
Date: 1856
: a person of integrity and honor

So a good thing.

[Scissorjack]

So a good thing.

Thanks. I sometimes worry that I come across as a dickhead when I get opinionated and argumentative.

[Rysdad]

I tried to search any date in MPSIMS for "moose schlong", and I got nuthin. So, I just searched individually for "moose" and then "schlong."

I got 30 pages of responses for "moose" and only four pages of responses for "schlong."

What other board could say that?

[samclem]

I tried to search any date in MPSIMS for "moose schlong", and I got nuthin. So, I just searched individually for "moose" and then "schlong."

I got 30 pages of responses for "moose" and only four pages of responses for "schlong."

What other board could say that? No doubt a Minnesota Hunting Board. ?

[BJMoose]

And just why this interest in moose schlongs, hmmmm?

[Annie-Xmas]

The two click rule when it comes to objectionable websites. I didn't know that wasn't standard on every message board until this one time...

[Rick]

The two click rule when it comes to objectionable websites. I didn't know that wasn't standard on every message board until this one time...
At band camp?

[Q.E.D.]

And just why this interest in moose schlongs, hmmmm?
They're dried, ground into powder and used as an aphrodisiac. Bet you're sorry you asked now, aren't you?

[Illuminatiprimus]

Back to the OP - the Dope is great because within it sail such a varied bunch of people who are willing to discuss any topic and can do so intelligently and in a way that is often hilarious. I've literally fallen off my chair reading some posts. I think the fact that I've never really noticed much that needed moderating around here shows that the mods are doing their jobs properly - it certainly is a tidy and friendly place (especially compared to some other boards I have or currently belonged to). May it continue for many a year.

[Troy McClure SF]

It's a little bit of everything, and it's generally done well.

[Rysdad]

And just why this interest in moose schlongs, hmmmm?

There was a wonderful Road Trip thread many years ago, and besides an ubiquitous moose schlong, there was a minivan, a psychedelicized hippy, a beat up minivan, and much fun had by all.

I wonder where that thread went? Probably lost during our winter of missed content.

[BJMoose]

They're dried, ground into powder and used as an aphrodisiac. Bet you're sorry you asked now, aren't you?
Hokey smoke! :eek: I'm reporting this to the ASPCA toot sweet!



Though given how we moose are, I'm sure such a preparation is very effective.

[silenus]

Though given how we moose are, I'm sure such a preparation is very effective.

It would have to be, with such a small dosage. :D

[Triskadecamus]

See, here, if you make a joke, and only two people get it, well, you feel really good about it!

Man, that's subtlety!

Most of the time, when I make a joke about say, the epistemological uncertainty principle, it just lies there. Around here, I get corrected! With another joke!

Tris

[grimpixie]

It's a little bit of everything, and it's generally done well.All things to all men you might say?

[Cartooniverse]

No one discriminates against us OFs!

Don't be so sure............... :D

I am drawn back again and again by the passion of the Dopers. Every definition or interpretation of that word applies here. We're interested not only in our own particular interests but in the acumen and depth of knowledge of the collective. Yeah, I feel just fine diving into a thread about photography or film making because that's my area.

I'm equally excited going into a thread where I know zilch and reading up on thoughts and informative posts from people who are deeply interested and knowledgeable about that particular area.

The Pit. Must agree- it is our steam release valve. I think it is what keeps the Boards healthy in the long term. No idea who came up with the idea of the BBQ Pit as a Forum here, but kudos.

As a Net and News junkie, I find myself meandering off into links in threads here that expand my general knowledge base. Knowledge for it's own sake is a gift. To me, it is the best thing about the Dope.

And, of course, the goat-related activites.

Cartooniverse