# A thread for all things Cephalopod **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 10, 2017, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246 "2017-11-10T19:57:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![edwards\_beard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@edwards\_beard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwards_beard)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/162 "2017-11-16T15:41:06Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > So, at the risk of making this already more convoluted, my understanding is that **Breck** and \*\*dropzone \*\*recently began communicating online. He considers her a friend of sorts, but not someone he knows in real life. I know this because **dropzone** just emailed me. > > The idea that **Breck** is a sock came from **Idle Thoughts**. \*\*Idle Thoughts \*\*knows **dropzone** IRL and was apparently unaware that **Breck** and **dropzone** were online friends. When he asked **dropzone** if he knew **Breck** , **dropzone** said no, they had only recently begun communicating, which is technically true. This galvanized **Idle Thoughts** ’ opinion that **Breck** is a sock and is why he made the comments he did. > > You follow all that? > > As far as I can tell, that’s the extent of the sock theory. One misunderstanding between friends. > > The idea that **Idle Thoughts** left the boards over this is, in my opinion, absurd. I actually did consider that…but Sunny Daze specifically asked “Outside the board” which Beck replied with Yes ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/163 "2017-11-16T15:57:26Z")
The standards of proof you demand, largely depend on what you are inclined to believe in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/164 "2017-11-16T16:57:32Z")
> [@edwards\_beard](#): > > I actually did consider that…but Sunny Daze specifically asked “Outside the board” which Beck replied with Yes Okay, but what if **Breck** started talking to **dropzone** and then he told her about SDMB? Then she is telling the truth when she says she knows him ‘‘outside the board.’’ It really depends on how you define ‘‘know,’’ ‘‘friend,’’ and ‘‘outside the board.’’ I considered **Asimovian** one of my best friends long before we actually met face to face. I met him through the Straight Dope, but if someone asked me if I knew him outside the board, I would say yes, because we talked for hours on Messenger. ---
**Author:** ![edwards\_beard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@edwards\_beard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwards_beard)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/165 "2017-11-16T17:11:11Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Okay, but what if **Breck** started talking to **dropzone** and then he told her about SDMB? Then she is telling the truth when she says she knows him ‘‘outside the board.’’ > > It really depends on how you define ‘‘know,’’ ‘‘friend,’’ and ‘‘outside the board.’’ > > I considered **Asimovian** one of my best friends long before we actually met face to face. I met him through the Straight Dope, but if someone asked me if I knew him outside the board, I would say yes, because we talked for hours on Messenger. If that were the case, then in the thread I linked to, he wouldn’t have said “I don’t know you”, “Are you M or F”. Regardless of all that Spice, I do want to take a minute to thank you for all your recent posts. A lot of the news recently has been triggering me and your posts show a strength I wish I had to speak up with. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/166 "2017-11-16T17:39:32Z")
Since this thread started about octopus, it’s like to point out that his effectively downplaying /defense of accused abusers like Roy Moore is being repeated by some (but not all) liberal posters in the thread about Al Franken. Shame on them, too. It’s not unique to one side. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/167 "2017-11-16T17:49:19Z")
> [@edwards\_beard](#): > > If that were the case, then in the thread I linked to, he wouldn’t have said “I don’t know you”, “Are you M or F”. That actually might have been the beginning of the online friendship, right there. I’m only speculating. He sent me an email this morning that identified **Breck** as an online friend of sorts. I would consider **dropzone** an online friend of sorts, I don’t know him well but we’ve communicated periodically through PM since the death of his wife. He is taking a self-orchestrated break because the stress of her death put him in danger of violating the board’s rules. He is still reading the boards and sending his thoughts. One such message to me he relayed through **Breck.** Then **Idle Thoughts** messaged me about **Breck.** That’s how I got dragged into this! I’ve never met either of them IRL. I find it unlikely he would be relaying messages to me through \*\*Breck \*\*if she was a sock. I recently (like, yesterday) enabled email communication in my settings, so now he can contact me directly. > [@](#): > > Regardless of all that Spice, I do want to take a minute to thank you for all your recent posts. A lot of the news recently has been triggering me and your posts show a strength I wish I had to speak up with. Sure thing. It’s been triggering to me too (back before the word was hijacked by angry conservatives to make fun of liberals, that word actually had a meaning specific to PTSD. It’s lovely to hesitate to even talk about a basic symptom of PTSD because it will open you up to being accused of snowflake-ism.) This is one of the ways I cope. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/168 "2017-11-16T17:51:18Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Since this thread started about octopus, it’s like to point out that his effectively downplaying /defense of accused abusers like Roy Moore is being repeated by some (but not all) liberal posters in the thread about Al Franken. Shame on them, too. It’s not unique to one side. Sometimes I think you really are like my male alter-ego. ---
**Author:** ![Covfefe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/169 "2017-11-16T17:53:53Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Since this thread started about octopus, it’s like to point out that his effectively downplaying /defense of accused abusers like Roy Moore is being repeated by some (but not all) liberal posters in the thread about Al Franken. Shame on them, too. It’s not unique to one side. I’d like to piggyback on what you wrote in that thread and I’ll do it here so I don’t derail something in the Elections forum: Joseph Biden needs to openly acknowledge his behavior before speaking out against sexual misconduct. > **[Joe Biden to men of his generation claiming sexual harassment was...](https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/joe-biden-men-generation-claiming-sexual-harassment-acceptable-give-break-173555735.html)** > > Society is on "the cusp of fundamentally changing the culture" because "so many brave women came forward and knew they would be vilified," Biden said Monday. Has Biden done anything bad enough to merit being a pariah, I don’t know, but he has been documented touching women in ways which could easily make a person uncomfortable. He’ll be a liability for the Dems if he keeps this up. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/170 "2017-11-16T18:05:33Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Since this thread started about octopus, it’s like to point out that his effectively downplaying /defense of accused abusers like Roy Moore is being repeated by some (but not all) liberal posters in the thread about Al Franken. Shame on them, too. It’s not unique to one side. I wasn’t downplaying anything. So if you are going to tsk-tsk do so accurately. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/171 "2017-11-16T18:46:26Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > So much for the meme that Canadians are all nice and shit! 😃 I’m guessing that you’re not a hockey player. There are not many high-speed contact team sports in which all the players are armed with a couple of blades each. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/172 "2017-11-16T19:18:15Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > **BigT** , I am getting so sick of your constant lectures, I really can’t hold back anymore. BigT is the one who can’t hold back. Nothing anyone can say to him will change his compulsive sanctimonious behaviour, for he’s messed in the head. Option (a): put up an umbrella and ignore his little balls of deficate derision that he spews down on you, his bewildered adversary, for he’s messed in the head. Option (b): try to rationally discuss his behaviour with him while you put up an umbrella and ignore his little balls of deficate derision that he spews down on you, his bewildered adversary, for he’s messed in the head. Option (c): textually blow the god-damned pyramid bird out of the sky and put your umbrella away until he crawls out from his basement again, for he’s messed in the head. Mix and match the options for frustration relief, but realize that BigT is what he is, and because of what his is, he is incapable of behavioural change concerning his sanctimoniosityousinessness. Neither (a), (b) or (c) will have any ongoing effect on his behaviour. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/173 "2017-11-16T19:26:24Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > BigT is the one who can’t hold back. Nothing anyone can say to him will change his compulsive sanctimonious behaviour, for he’s messed in the head. > Option (a): put up an umbrella and ignore his little balls of deficate derision that he spews down on you, his bewildered adversary, for he’s messed in the head. > > Option (b): try to rationally discuss his behaviour with him while you put up an umbrella and ignore his little balls of deficate derision that he spews down on you, his bewildered adversary, for he’s messed in the head. > > Option (c): textually blow the god-damned pyramid bird out of the sky and put your umbrella away until he crawls out from his basement again, for he’s messed in the head. > > Mix and match the options for frustration relief, but realize that BigT is what he is, and because of what his is, he is incapable of behavioural change concerning his sanctimoniosityousinessness. > Neither (a), (b) or (c) will have any ongoing effect on his behaviour. That is epic neologismification. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/174 "2017-11-16T20:06:23Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > That said, you know what might slightly, maybe have a bearing on my rightness or wrongness? The fact that I have a fucking masters degree in solving social problems. I have specific education regarding the implementation of social change and effective strategies for achieving such, from one of the top universities in the country. That’s what MACRO social work means: social policy, social advocacy, nonprofit management, legislative action, community organizing, social messaging, marketing, to name a handful of the things I studied. When I was sitting in undergrad trying to figure out what in the hell do to with my life, I decided that I wanted to use my brain to solve social problems. I chose to do this knowing that the pay would be shit and that few people would recognize the professional skillset it takes to do my job. I’ve been operating in a professional capacity for, oh, about nine years now, and I fucking love it. I currently work on the development team of a $4m domestic violence and sexual assault organization and I am _damned_ good at what I do. > > And then you come in, and it feels like just a constant barrage of lectures about what I should or should not be doing regards social issue _du jour._ I really don’t know how I can put it any plainer: > > You, **BigT** , are an amateur lecturing a professional. When you bend over backward to explain to me what social justice is, it’s patronizing to me and embarrassing for you. Our motives for participating in these conversations are wildly disparate. I’m here to do the opposite of alienate people. My job is to reach the broadest audience possible. Yes, even in the Pit. I don’t give a flying fuck what you do or think or say or feel, but don’t tell me how to do my life’s work. That was outstanding, **Spice Weasel**. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/175 "2017-11-16T20:30:37Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > I wasn’t downplaying anything. So if you are going to tsk-tsk do so accurately. Whatever your intentions, by my reading, your words were effectively downplaying/defending/implying dishonesty in the accuser, which isn’t okay barring actual evidence of dishonesty. In any case, several liberal posters were doing that to the same and even greater degrees for the Franken accusations, which also isn’t okay. Shame on them too. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/176 "2017-11-16T20:43:13Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Whatever your intentions, by my reading, your words were effectively downplaying/defending/implying dishonesty in the accuser, which isn’t okay barring actual evidence of dishonesty. In any case, several liberal posters were doing that to the same and even greater degrees for the Franken accusations, which also isn’t okay. Shame on them too. Not at all. My position is that I’m not going to automatically believe any accusation from 30-40 years ago. That’s not defending, downplaying or excusing behavior. Does it imply dishonesty? No. It explicitly means that there is a \*possibility \* of dishonesty and judgement shouldn’t be rendered quickly or capriciously. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/177 "2017-11-16T20:47:37Z")
> [@edwards\_beard](#): > > According to the first 20 posts of this thread, he doesn’t know you… > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=837688](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=837688) I never said I knew him in real life (NEVER). Period. As for Idle thoughts, I haven’t first clue. He blasted me for nothing. I am not privvy to anything that happened. Just don’t know. Period. Thank you Spice, for clearing up (kinda lol) your part in this…IDK, thing! I don’t know a ’ Breck’ though ---
**Author:** ![edwards\_beard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@edwards\_beard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwards_beard)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/178 "2017-11-16T21:15:33Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I never said I knew him in real life (NEVER). Period. As for Idle thoughts, I haven’t first clue. He blasted me for nothing. I am not privvy to anything that happened. Just don’t know. Period. Thank you Spice, for clearing up (kinda lol) your part in this…IDK, thing! I don’t know a ’ Breck’ though You… strongly … implied that you did. You were asked straight out twice if you knew him off the board (AKA In Real Life) You answered “I know him” ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/179 "2017-11-16T21:18:48Z")
Beckdareck Minus eckda Equals Breck. It makes sense in my head. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/180 "2017-11-16T21:37:31Z")
> [@edwards\_beard](#): > > You… strongly … implied that you did. > > You were asked straight out twice if you knew him off the board (AKA In Real Life) You answered “I know him” Look, it don’t stinking matter. In the real scheme of things, that is. I can imply or joke or, perhaps have a secret or 3, at my own disgression. I was clumsily trying to protect dropzone, alittle. And, Spice call me what you will, it’s fine with me. Mostly I am just a wreck! ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246/181 "2017-11-16T22:05:28Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Not at all. My position is that I’m not going to automatically believe any accusation from 30-40 years ago. That’s not defending, downplaying or excusing behavior. Does it imply dishonesty? No. It explicitly means that there is a \*possibility \* of dishonesty and judgement shouldn’t be rendered quickly or capriciously. Expressing doubt in general wasn’t what I criticized you for. But we went through all this, and you didn’t actually respond to my actual criticism before, so I doubt you will now. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-things-cephalopod/801246.md?page=10)