Ask the Creepy Lurker.

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Okay, not to say everyone who lurks is creepy, just the fact that I think that I, as a lurker, fit the bill quite nice.
Let me shed some insight on my board reading habits.
I’ve been aware of this board now for about 2 months. I regestered because, unlike other boards I go to, this one has substance. This one is intriguing and has members who actually have brains in which they use. Very tempting to just spend all day on here and ignore my life and all that is required therein.
So, alas, I cannot be on here 24/7(Nor would I want to. I think perchance I may be driven crazy given enough uninterrupted time by overload), and when online, I don’t have the time to read the length of what some of these topics get.

So, here is what I do…

*Now, keep in mind this may creep some people out. I don’t wish to do this, but want to be honest about my habits
I arrange each forum I go in for the day so that it’s decending from highest reply number to lowest. I then pass by any topic that has below 50 replies, and start at topics about at 55.
I work my way up…getting into the topics with more and more replies till I reach the first page, where the topics usually are no less then 300.
Seeming how I can’t read these topics right then, but do so wish to, I print them out so I can take them home and read them when I have the time.
Yes. This is what I do. No doubt very creepy, but the intellegent conversation on here is too good to pass up.
I will print out about 7 or 8 topics a day and read them at home, sometimes going as high as 16 topics (The place where I post is a college by the way).

I have thus far read many, many topics in all forums, all the way back from 1999.
I have gotten to know most the members from each year and who’s been around for awhile.
I’ve cheered people on in debates, constantly wetting my fingers and turning the pages for more.
I’ve agreed with many people from topics in “My Humble Opinion” and laughed at insults in “The Pit”.
So I feel I know a lot of you already, and the past posters who shaped this board.
I’ve followed along greviences and fights. I’ve read about people getting banned, and newbies coming in.
I’ve read just about every topic above 60 replies in Cafe Society. (some of these I have replied to the next day only after reading the entire topic the night before in bed, not knowing the topic was a year old :smack: )
I’ve gotten to know people (members) on this board in this way, fairly well, I may add. Well enough to know where they would stand on a certain debate or what kinds of things to expect from them.

It’s very weird. It’s like watching The Real World, by reading about the people.

Now, I hope nobody really takes offense at all this. I admit, it is creepy what I do/have done. But it’s only because I enjoy reading on message boards, and you people here…sheesh…your topics go up to like 80 replies, each post the size of a small novel. I couldn’t read all of that in one sitting if I tried; thus the printing out of many topics.

So ask away any questions if anyone has some, even thought I explained myself mostly already.

2

What’s your major?

3

What’s your major

I don’t have one. I’m not enrolled in the college, I only use the internet service here, since I’m so cheap and I can’t afford one of my own.

However I do wish to enroll soon. I’ve always been interested in taking classes. I’d have to get a Pell Grant, however.

If and when I apply and take some, I hope to minor in Psychology or Sociology

4

What? Sounds pretty normal, to me.

You’re addicted, that’s all. Just go with it. :smiley:

5

I don’t find it creepy at all. If I had limited access to a computer, I would probably go about it in much the same way. I don’t see how it’s any different from reading it on a computer screen.

Do you save the paper after you’re done reading, or trash it? If you save it, how do you keep it? Do you archive it? Would you ever consider keeping a file cabinet and having some of the best discussions the Straight Dope has to offer all on hard copy?

6

Do you save the paper after you’re done reading, or trash it?

I actually recycle, so when I’m finished with a page, I’ll throw in the the “paper box”

It gets filled up quite fast, as with you people and your replies…only about 2 or 3 fit on each page.

If you save it, how do you keep it? Do you archive it? Would you ever consider keeping a file cabinet and having some of the best discussions the Straight Dope has to offer all on hard copy?

I have, in fact, saved two so far. One was the 9/11 thread which I thought was amazing. How everone pulled together like that on here. The other is a topic in GD that I’m reading but planning on saving. “What would it take to convince you of God’s existence?”

I’m glad that thus far it’s been seen as normal. I just didn’t want anyone to freak out knowing I did that. :stuck_out_tongue:

7

It sounds like that movie with Robin Williams in it. . . he’s develops photographs. . . I don’t know the title, I only saw the advertisements for it.

Not that I’m saying the OP is creepy. It’s just what came to mind!

8

So which is your favourite forum as a lurker?

by the way, your thread title made me giggle. Dunno why.

9

One Hour Photo.
And yes, It is a bit like that. However, not having seen the film yet, I can’t say for sure. I don’t know to what lengths he goes to find out about the family.

I merely print, and read.
I feel kind of sad in a way. There are a lot of members I wish I had a chance to talk to, cause they seemed really funny, interesting, and smart. Only thing is, most of the topics I read are dated anywhere between 2000 and 2002, and most of them I’ve not seen still posting to this day.

10

So which is your favourite forum as a lurker?

I’m partial to “In My Humble Opinion”. Just printed out 5 topics from there today alone.
I have not yet began much on The Pit yet. But I have a feeling that one will be as interesting as any of them have been so far.

11

When are you going to a Dopefest? :smiley:

12

When are you going to a Dopefest?
Wow, didn’t expect this one…

I’ve read all about them, and printed Czar’s one that got to about 4 pages…
I really would be interested in attending one, and I live in a large city (Phoenix); thing is, I never seen any topics calling for a PhoenDope.

I would make one myself, but…well, I’m still relatively new.

By the way. You and Green Bladder are two posters I recognize from reading past topics.
Don’t know what I’d do if one of the members I’ve seen and followed along a lot posts in here.

You see, after reading a lot about someone and gaining respect for them, and laughing over what they post, and following their posts across a timespan of 3 years, yet never speaking with them via this board, they become sort of like a celebrity to you.

13

No other questions?

None at all?
Have I mistakenly killed my own topic?

14

I have some…

Where in Arizona? I’ve only been through parts once on vacation, but it was beautiful.

The requisite A/S? Just a nod to being somewhere other than the Dope where everyone ain’t so smart and talkz l1k3 dis. :smiley:

How’d you get here?

What’s your all-time favorite movie? Book? Actor? Song?

There, that ought to do it for a spell.

Um, I’m not sure what else, but tell us a bit about yourself. And yes, the title was adorable IMHO too. Glad to help out, one newbie to another.

15

You didn’t? Well, it’s here!

There have been Phoenix dopefests. They’ve been a bit far between lately (when was the last one? May? This too hot summer has fried my brain.), but keep your eyes peeled (or I can let you know if I see a call for one, whatever!). They aren’t the big multi-day ones you see in places like Chicago and New York City, but there are Dopefests in Phoenix, and you would love to come, riiiiight? :slight_smile:

Well, if you have any good ideas, bring them on!

eep I must post less if I’m becoming recognizable!

I’ve spoken with a number of Dopers, and still some are like celebrity types to me. It still happens after interacting with people for years too, I suppose.