But that has never looked like embarassment to me-more like singing or assuming the position to take in more shit.
But not embarassment.
Carry on.
Always better than green semen I guess.
Since you asked for constructive criticism, allow me to point out a huge flaw in your attitude toward other people’s posts:
In my opinion, one of your biggest problems is that you seem to think we’re all here to talk only to you. Most posters’ purpose in posting to this board is not to fix you. While it would be helpful for you if everyone focused only on answering your questions and fixing your problems, that’s not exactly what attracts people to a message board. We’re here to post our opinions (even if, horror of all horrors, others have already posted their opinions), talk to whomever interests us, make jokes and obnoxious remarks, and share a laugh over the silly things in life. Lately, you’ve been one of the silly things people are sharing a laugh over, so your threads are full of people making jokes and commenting on what a dingbat you are. If that hurts your feelings, stop making yourself the center of attention. Don’t expect people to tiptoe around your embarrassing spectacles, politely averting their eyes.
If you truly want to have a better message board experience, stop starting thread after thread and trying to control how other people interact with you. Instead, sit back and observe how people post and interact. Occasionally, respond to someone’s post. Even more occasionally, start a thread asking a question. Stop trying to make this board the “Talk to Andrew Show”.
Happy now?
Wait. If you’re the Good Mod, then who’s the Bad Mod? Oh. Umm. Err. Never mind.
But he’s not burning. Or even flaming. I want my money back.
Ok, here it is.
Lurking and reading other people’s posts will teach you much more than posting countless thread and expecting constructive criticism with threats of leaving otherwise.
Other than moderator issues, I post to perhaps one thread in thirty that I read. I try to give back to the community by answering others’ questions rather than just posing my own. I don’t post over and over again wanting people to notice me; I realize that this is part of a community. You don’t need to shout. You don’t need to post every single thing that enters your brain.
You’re not going to learn from constructive criticism; you’re going to learn if you read, and ultimately really listen to what other people have to say. Imagine the 'Dope as a great big dinner party. You storm in and say loudly, “Hi everybody! Has anyone here had anal sex? Why not? The vagina is dirty too!” while everyone’s chatting away and having a good time. This is our impression of you: as a loudmouth boor. That can change but you have to change it.
Once you contribute – posting in other people’s threads regarding their questions or comments, for example – you can get away with more. Right now, you’re coming in with a very self-centered attitude. I don’t mean that as an insult; I mean that your experience of the 'Dope is centered around yourself and the attention that you receive. Try listening to some other conversations. Learn to enjoy the community and our standards. Don’t expect to come into the Pit and not get insulted; don’t expect to post umpteen threads and not be criticized. You’re taking and not giving; this is why many of us are irritated with you.
That burning would clear right up if he’d just put some ointment on it and stop scratching at it.
Okay, the Sisyphean task of giving constructive advice. Pick a poster from this thread, one whom you admire and wish to emulate. Me, for example. Backtrack through their posts over the last few weeks. Take note of the number of threads they’ve started versus the ones they’ve contibuted to. Then, take note of their contibutions: likely you’ll find an opinion here, a dumb joke there, some ignorance fought, an anecdote shared, some advice offered. Someone participating on this board, in other words, not just shouting ME ME ME ME.
Oh, and take off those embarrassing spectacles.
Well, he is slightly steamed. Doesn’t that count for something?
Excellent analogy. Even if the format of a message board is far different from that of a party, I think people’s behavior and reactions to others are quite similar. And, andrewt85, complaining too much about the moderators is like coming into the party, critiquing the decor, and telling everybody how awful the food is.
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You might want to consider changing your signature. I know you didn’t post with it, but it is on your public profile. Fat people might find it really insulting.
[aside]Why is it that some people don’t think fat people don’t have feelings?[/aside]
Imagine if my signiture said the same about some physical characteristic that applied to you. It might not seem rude to me, but you might think I am a jerk. -
Don’t be so defensive. You come across as a whiner.
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Don’t ever insult all dopers as a whole. I’ve never met you, or even posted in the same thread as you until now, but I would take offence at an OP that insults all dopers.
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Even if all you are looking for is constructive criticism, you sure as hell don’t come across that way. This means you need to change how you present yourself. Specifically? Re-read this entire thread. Contrary to what you say, there is a lot of constructive criticism already posted in this thread. Also, while re-reading, look at your own posts and try to see how a complete stranger might read them.
I know you don’t always come across as you intend, but that is life. If everyone here misunderstands your intentions, then it is probably the case that you don’t understand the conventions of how to communicate on an online message board. You need help with communication.
- If you want to write more clearly:
A. Read lots of novels.
B. Go to a school (of any kind) and take a class that makes you write lots of papers (of any kind). Community colleges are usually pretty affordable.
C. If schooling is not an option, write love letters. Chicks dig love letters.
D. If love letters are not an option, then write letters to anyone.
E. Don’t be so defensive. People are criticising your writing because it sucks, not because they hate you.
Personally, I couldn’t string 2 sentences together when I was twenty years old, but at least I had the balls to admit it to myself, and I did something to change it
Upon preview: What fluiddruid and Excalibre said, too
Except on St. Patrick’s Day. 
As to constructive criticism: andrew, you’ve been given a shitload of good advice, enough to douse a flaming giraffe. The rest is up to you, not the rest of us.
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Your cunt stinks like fish
But can I have a screw?
Ladies and Gentleman, our new poet laureate. 
In this thread , I like you. You come across as a regular doper. The kind of guy a man could have a beer with… well, you get the idea. Do that more often, and less of this thread, in which you come across, well, um…
er…
that is to say…
buta…
differently?
Print out all the posts on this page that contain constructive criticism and then turn off your computer for a month to think about them.
People have given you lots and lots of great advice here, particularly Giraffe; but you know, people have given you a bunch of good advice in past threads, and you’re still acting like a fruit loop. Advice is worthless if you don’t take it.
A good idea would be for andrew to start one thread, where he asks questions, and others can help him with the information he seeks. Hows that?
NO. He can get “constructive criticism” right here.
Andrew – I’m not sure if you’re still listening, but just in case. A couple of points, a couple of questions.
Just curioius:
–What are you majoring in?
Consider this:
–Have you ever been tested for mental illness of any sort? I say this NOT to be condescending, but I’ve noticed a couple of things that may indicate potential high-functioning autism in you.
–I have no clue outside of what I’ve read here at SDMB about your sexuality, but I think there’s a possibility that you may be gay. I don’t care either way (ftr, I’m gay, and was self-closeted for a very long time due to shame issues) – it’s just an observation. Of course you’ll likely deny it; you seem to be very macho-posturing.
– You need to get out more.
– Do you have a history of drug use?
:rolleyes: