New fourteen-year-old member saying hello

[SuperSmartAlex]

Hello everyone!

I heard about the Straight Dope through my mother "Blue Mood". It sounded intriguing, so I decided to join. My intuition was right - I have already read several really interesting threads. I am a fourteen-year-old from London, England, so I am probably one of the youngest members.

My interests are as follows: music (I love composing pieces and I play several instruments), reading, drawing, taking part in philosophical debates and Judo, so I am not exactly your average teenager. I also love studying birds. My favourite subjects at school are music, art, maths and physics. When I am older I hope to study architecture at Cambridge. My mother is American and my father is German, and I speak German fluently.

By the way, I may be smart (I am a member of MENSA), but I take direction well, so I would appreciate it if someone could notify me if I am breaking any Straight Dope etiquette!

[TriPolar]

Since you're only 14 I'll just say "Welcome", and you really should spend your time conversing with people of your own maturity level, which is probably well above the level found here.

[gracer]

Hey SuperSmartAlex, nice to meet you! The main etiquette here is just to bring along cites for any claims you make do that and you'll always be appreciated. Hope you have a good time here on the Dope, I do!

[Inner Stickler]

Ouch, tripolar. I'll have you know, I'm totally mature, like a fine wine or super stinky cheese.

Welcome Alex. Historically, this board has not been kind to young posters who advertise that fact. I wish you well and hope you have a great time here.

[MaxTheVool]

Well, first of all, it's "math", not "maths", you tea-swilling, silly-Queen-handbag-carrying, soccer-rioting, nanny-stating, spice-girling crumpet muncher!!!!

[Nava]

Hey QUIIIIIIII! We got someone else 'bout your age!

You two are several timezones away, though.

[Fear Itself]

Welcome. Now, go clean your room!

[ToeJam]

Originally Posted by SuperSmartAlex

By the way, I may be smart (I am a member of MENSA), but I take direction well, so I would appreciate it if someone could notify me if I am breaking any Straight Dope etiquette!

My advice from when I first joined- try to avoid getting Pitted or ending up in the Pit for as long as you can. It helps if you avoid posting there. I tended to lurk for almost a year or so, just reading the articles and getting to know the people more. If you treat this like a community, you'll get a lot more out of it, than just treating this place like a dojo or sparring room to display your own skills.

That said. Welcome, and enjoy your stay here.

[Baron Greenback]

Originally Posted by SuperSmartAlex

I also love studying birds.

A life-long subject, young Alex. There's much more material available nowadays than there was when I was your age.

[Sunspace]

Welcome, welcome!

[Khadaji]

Hello SuperSmartAlex. Be welcome. Enjoy your stay.

[AClockworkMelon]

Originally Posted by ToeJam

My advice from when I first joined- try to avoid getting Pitted or ending up in the Pit for as long as you can. It helps if you avoid posting there. I tended to lurk for almost a year or so, just reading the articles and getting to know the people more. If you treat this like a community, you'll get a lot more out of it, than just treating this place like a dojo or sparring room to display your own skills.

I disagree with this. I think you should participate in the Pit as much as possible and that you should begin posting there immediately.

[SuperSmartAlex]

Thanks for the welcome, everyone.

TriPolar - So most fourteen-year-olds have a higher maturity level than people who are fighting ignorance? Interesting.

gracer - Thanks!

Inner Stickler - In that case, I might attempt to change Straight Dope history. However, I don't think I will post my age on any other threads. It will be interesting to see if other 'Dopers automatically assume that I am an adult.

MaxTheVool - I used to say and write "math" (I lived in New York for a while) but my teachers kept on helpfully "correcting" it. I tried to argue that the American spelling is also correct, but they would not listen. I just gave in as I figured arguing more would not help. The only English word I do not say is "Mum" or "Mummy". I call my parents "Mommy" (American) and "Papa" (German). And, for your information, I hate crumpets and I drink coffee more often than I drink tea.

Nava - How old are they? Do they live in America?

Fear Itself - Just because you are older than me does not mean you can tell me what to do. Go clean your room!

ToeJam - Thanks. I have already noticed how people relate to each other in different ways according to where the thread was put in. I also find it interesting to see the different personalities here, especially in the "Great Debates" and the "Pit". I will definitely not post anything in the pit for a while.

Baron Greenback - Do you also like birds? If so what type/s? My favourite types are European bee-eaters and hyacinth macaws, though I have only had a chance to watch European bee-eaters in the wild once, and hyacinth macaws in captivity a few times.

Sunspace - Thank you, thank you!

Khadaji - Thanks

AClockworkMelon - Do you think that, because I am fairly young and I am new to Straight Dope, I am naive? Or are you actually serious?

[Qin Shi Huangdi]

Wilkommen, Herr Alex.

As a fellow young member I hope you'll enjoy this forum and contribute here.

[AClockworkMelon]

Originally Posted by SuperSmartAlex

AClockworkMelon - Do you think that, because I am fairly young and I am new to Straight Dope, I am naive? Or are you actually serious?

It was a joke. So I suppose that means you are naive?

[DMark]

I am trying to think if I had a 14 year old daughter (or son, for that matter), would I want them to be a member of the SDMB?

Well, there is some foul language occasionally, and some subject material I might not be thrilled with them discussing with adults, but upon consideration, why not?

It is not like you haven't heard "the bad words" and it is not like you have not read/seen things that might not be age-appropriate in other sites on the Internet.

The one thing I think you will find here is mostly honest answers to questions you might not otherwise be comfortable asking elsewhere. Like anywhere on the Internet, take things here with a grain of salt, but for the most part - I think this will be a good site for you to read what others think about subjects that might be somewhat foreign to you - and for you to ask questions.

So, welcome aboard!

So, what is a question that a 14 year old girl in the UK might like to ask to the teeming millions here?

[Babale]

Originally Posted by gracer

The main etiquette here is just to bring along cites for any claims you make

Originally Posted by SuperSmartAlex

I am a fourteen-year-old from London
)

Cite?

[gracer]

Originally Posted by Babale

Cite?

We will accept you telling us the girl you fancy, or the teacher you hate as legit cites. But just for this once.

Sorry for the teasing. I'll stop now.

[Baron Greenback]

Originally Posted by SuperSmartAlex

Baron Greenback - Do you also like birds? If so what type/s? My favourite types are European bee-eaters and hyacinth macaws, though I have only had a chance to watch European bee-eaters in the wild once, and hyacinth macaws in captivity a few times.

Heh, it was just a lame joke on my part. Don't worry about it. But I do like the avian sort of birds too, there's been a big increase in the numbers of raptors here in Scotland. I occasionally see a Red Kite, and they were extinct here not so long ago.

Anyway, enjoy your time here, we are a decent bunch mostly. A tiny bit of advice - maybe change your user name?

[NoClueBoy]

I got you beat. I'm nine and a half.

Yeah, signing up in utero was difficult ...

[Terra1041]

Welcome to the Dope ^_^ (No, we don't sell dope here.)

I was 14 when I first signed up for a message board (based on the Super Mario Brothers games). Now I'm 24 and I feel like one of the youngest people here.

[Little Nemo]

Welcome.

Originally Posted by SuperSmartAlex

taking part in philosophical debates and Judo

I hear that's going to be a demonstration event at this year's Olympics.

[Lanzy]

Supersmart? Super? We will see. Just don't emulate the other kids on the board.

[SuperSmartAlex]

Qin Shi Huangdi - Danke sehr! Do you actually know any German, or did you just type it into google translate?

AClockWorkMelon - I guess so.

DMark - My parents trust my judgement, and they know that I'm not going to use language (I will probably never post in the "Pit") or discuss something that is age-inappropriate. I have lots of questions to ask to everyone here, but I find it more interesting to look at the questions other people have asked.

Babale - Sorry, I don't have any proof. I guess for all you know I might be an alien looking for ideas to destroy the universe.

gracer - Ok, thanks.

Baron Greenback - Oh, that's what you meant... I meant avian birds... I like my user name because it will be interesting to see how people will react to that. I assume that they will either think I'm average and full of myself, or they will think I'm a genius and full of myself (I'm neither)!

NoClueBoy - Interesting...

[Qin Shi Huangdi]

Originally Posted by SuperSmartAlex

Qin Shi Huangdi - Danke sehr! Do you actually know any German, or did you just type it into google translate?

Picked it up here and there. Not fluent, sadly.

[SuperSmartAlex]

Terra1041 - I guess I'll feel like one of the youngest people for a really long time. I wonder who the very youngest member is.

Little Nemo - I guess I'll be the champion, then. I always take part in philosophical debates while I'm fighting in my local dojo.

Lanzy - Yes. We will see.

[Inner Stickler]

Originally Posted by Qin Shi Huangdi

Picked it up here and there. Not fluent, sadly.

Don't feel bad. The only german I know is "Du hast kaese ein dein hose."

[carnut]

Welcome Alex, do not let the attitude of others on this board get you down. We're a bunch of grumpy old coots sometimes but we love puns. Post punny responses and we'll join in. Guaranteed.

[AClockworkMelon]

Originally Posted by SuperSmartAlex

Terra1041 - I guess I'll feel like one of the youngest people for a really long time. I wonder who the very youngest member is.

I was 20 when I joined two years ago and the 90 year olds who make up most of the SDMB population still make me feel like a kid. That's why I recommend posting in the Pit: Everyone's a 10-year old there.

[SuperSmartAlex]

Qin Shi Huangdi - How much did you pick up? How would you rate your knowledge of German on a scale of 1-10?

InnerStickler - I assume you mean "Du hast Kaese in deine Hose". Anyway, why would you want to say "You have cheese in your pants."?

carnut - I'll try to keep that in mind.

AClockworkMelon - That must be what TriPolar meant when they said:

Since you're only 14 I'll just say "Welcome", and you really should spend your time conversing with people of your own maturity level, which is probably well above the level found here.

[Inner Stickler]

Because I asked the german foreign exchange student in my highschool to teach me a german sentence and that's the one he taught me. As a college german major friend pointed out, though, not only is it highly unlikely to ever be useful, in the rare instance where I might need to tell someone they have cheese in their pants, they're probably already aware of that fact.

[Czarcasm]

You'll do fine here.

[Rachellelogram]

I've yet to meet a teenager (present company included) that didn't think he/she was below average. Whether you are or aren't will be borne out with time.

But you know. Welcome, and stuff.

[Babale]

Originally Posted by rachelellogram

I've yet to meet a teenager (present company included) that didn't think he/she was below average. Whether you are or aren't will be borne out with time.

But you know. Welcome, and stuff.

Really? I've met TONS of teenagers who didn't think they were bellow average.

[Chefguy]

Originally Posted by Inner Stickler

Don't feel bad. The only german I know is "Du hast kaese ein dein hose."

Ein Bier, bitte served me well for three years in Germany.

New Kid: Just stay off our lawns and you won't get hurt. You've been warned.

[OttoDaFe]

Just a note that we'll need to know your birthdate so we can schedule your initiation when you turn 16. Mariah will be close to retirement by then, but I'm sure she can be coaxed to take on one more for the team.

As others have said, welcome. Us older coots sometimes need a young'un's perspective to keep us in line.

[twickster]

Welcome, kiddo!

And just to get your first unwanted attention from a moderator out of the way -- we ask that people post in English only.

Luckily, mod notes like this don't go on your permanent record.

Again, welcome -- looks like you'll fit in just fine around here.

twickster, MPSIMS moderator

[yoyodyne]

Originally Posted by MaxTheVool

Well, first of all, it's "math", not "maths", you tea-swilling, silly-Queen-handbag-carrying, soccer-rioting, nanny-stating, spice-girling crumpet muncher!!!!

Where do I sign up for spice girl crumpet munching?

[Autolycus]

It's customary when joining to post something TMI. Stories of bodily excretions, sexual picadilloes, or unorthodox uses of bacon are all acceptable.

[Inner Stickler]

We'll even accept novel uses for kitchen utensils.

[Qin Shi Huangdi]

Originally Posted by SuperSmartAlex

Qin Shi Huangdi - How much did you pick up? How would you rate your knowledge of German on a scale of 1-10?

0 on most things maybe 1 or 2 on vocabulary. Picking it up mostly from history its skewed toward political and military terms.

[MoodIndigo1]

Welcome to the Dope, SSA. There used to be a 14-year-old member around here, but I guess he's probably 30 by now.

Have fun! BTW, there are a number of Mensa members around here, but we don't hold it against them unless they act like pretentious idiots.

[Giles]

Originally Posted by twickster

... And just to get your first unwanted attention from a moderator out of the way -- we ask that people post in English only. ...

I hope that was directed at those otherwise exemplary posters who were using the non-English word "math".

[Gil-Martin]

Greetings.

[PSXer]

Wow I wish I were as smart as you

[Rachellelogram]

Originally Posted by Babale

Really? I've met TONS of teenagers who didn't think they were bellow average.

I think I intended to use a double negative there and didn't. /headscratch

[Cat Whisperer]

Originally Posted by AClockworkMelon

I was 20 when I joined two years ago and the 90 year olds who make up most of the SDMB population still make me feel like a kid. That's why I recommend posting in the Pit: Everyone's a 10-year old there.

You mind your manners, sonny boy.

Originally Posted by Chefguy

Ein Bier, bitte served me well for three years in Germany.

New Kid: Just stay off our lawns and you won't get hurt. You've been warned.

Yeah!

Originally Posted by Autolycus

It's customary when joining to post something TMI. Stories of bodily excretions, sexual picadilloes, or unorthodox uses of bacon are all acceptable.

Don't listen to him. He's a bad influence.

Originally Posted by PSXer

Wow I wish I were as smart as you

I do too.

Welcome, SuperSmartAlex. I hope you'll have a very enjoyable time here.

[Jeff Lichtman]

Originally Posted by SuperSmartAlex

Hello everyone!

Welcome!

Originally Posted by SuperSmartAlex

My interests are as follows: music (I love composing pieces and I play several instruments). . . I also love studying birds.

What kinds of music to you compose and play?

What interests you about birds? Are you a birder? Do you study the biology of birds? Their behavior?

[AClockworkMelon]

Originally Posted by Cat Whisperer

You mind your manners, sonny boy.

And you stop sending me checks for $7 on my birthdays, grandma!

[SuperSmartAlex]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lichtman
What kinds of music to you compose and play?

I mainly play classical music, especially baroque. My piano teacher says I seem to have a good feel for jazz music, which is strange because I don't like playing jazz music that much. Most of my compositions are a cross between minimalistic and classical. I love composing pieces.

Originally Posted by Jeff Lichtman
What interests you about birds? Are you a birder? Do you study the biology of birds? Their behavior?

I am not sure what exactly interests me about birds - I just know that I have always been fascinated with them. I am mostly interested in studying their behaviour. My favourite activity is to compose pieces on my piano while looking outside for birds (my piano is pushed up against a large window which shows some natural surroundings). The birds I have observed there include: columbidae (pigeon), Branta canadensis (Canada goose), Erithacus rubicula (European robin) and Pica pica (Eurasian magpie). While these are common birds here, I find them very interesting to observe. Once I got a coupon for a falconer experience day for a combined birthday/Christmas present, which was pretty much the best present I have ever gotten.