# Assholes, the jealous, and mediocretins. Cemetary Savior, spoke-, Fessie, Treis, etc **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 12, 2005, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591 "2005-05-12T19:24:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Genghis\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/45deac/32.png) [@Genghis\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Genghis_Bob)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/41 "2005-05-12T20:37:42Z")
. . . venturing in cautiously. . . Finnagain, you were definitely whooshed in the original thread. Your misunderstanding of the thread caused your first post to come off as self-aggrandizing, to some extent. So far, no harm done - we’ve all been whooshed at some point or another, with embarassing results. I thought the responses to you from most of the other posters were, um, “affectionately vicious” - sure they made fun of your post, but it was no worse than lots of other mis-posts get, 'cause we’ve all made the same sort of mistake and gotten reamed ourselves. This is a mean place full of smart people, so any mis-step gets you clobbered. Didn’t seem like anything personal to me. (And, yeah, I also saw the result of your misunderstanding as ironic. By your misunderstanding, you seemed to model the behaviour that was being pitted.) Where you went wrong was in returning the viciousness without the “affectionate” part. You were really over the top, out of proportion to the type of “attacks” that were being leveled at you. This being the pit, any time somebody loses it (as you appeared to), lots of folks can’t help wading in for some fun. Unless you’ve got your tongue firmly embedded in your cheek, and we’ve all \*been \* whooshed, you should consider stepping back and taking a deep breath, if only for the sake of your blood pressure and stuff. ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/42 "2005-05-12T20:39:49Z")
All words are coined words. “Pink” and “mediocretin” are derogetory terms used within the SubGenuis religion to refer to non-SubGs. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/43 "2005-05-12T20:43:02Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > Snarking started with Treis assertion (surely based on exhaustive research), that [intelligent children never have problems in school due to their intelligence.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6144328&postcount=22) > (In Treis’ world, I can only guess that membership in the Chess club or playing the flute carries as much social clout as being on the football team.) Funny you mention those two activities becuase I was in the chess club and I did play the flute. I stand by my statements intelligence does not prevent anyone from making friends. Acting like you are somehow better than everyone else becuase supposedly you are smarter does. Judging by your demeanor in that thread I think its pretty safe to say whatever social problems you experienced were due to being an ass instead of a genius. Which category do I fall under, the assholes, the jealous or the mediocretins? ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/44 "2005-05-12T20:43:18Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > **Finn** - you weren’t attacked for being smart - you were attacked for ignoring the OP’s ire at people boasting about how smart their children are by posting about how smart _YOU_ were as a child. **Alice** , I was _whooshed_. I’d never been to a parent message board, so I was ignorant of the culture. I was pointing out that some of the parents might’ve had legitimate concerns, a position which I still hold as valid. And what’s more, I **apologized** for being whoosed. Now explain to me why I was still attacked after that? Moreoever, the OP forgave me. So other people being upset on the OP’s behalf? Kinda… silly. No? > [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > It was obnoxious. You know - like if I now tell everyone in this thread that I was so smart as a child I could actually stop people’s hearts _just by thinking about it!_ Um… no. First off, bad example, as I wasn’t making up any magic power. Second, no, it was in respond to what I thought was the thrust of the OP, and how some of those concerns can be valid. Third, I freakin’ apologized for it, and _then_ most of the people jumped on me. > [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > See - not the time nor place - this thread isn’t about me, and that thread wasn’t about you - you just dumped your big steaming bon mot of “I’m so smart” right in the middle of it, as if it had anything, whatsoever to do with the op. Fucking hell, are you really that dense? The experience of someone who caught shit for being smart has **nothing** to do with parents worrying about their children catching shit for being smart? Come on, you’ve gotta try harder than that. > [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > It didn’t, and it read as totally obnoxious, as did your repeated attempts to get us > all to see that _YOU’RE REALLY REALLY SMART!_ Fine. We get it. FWIW, you’re not the only one in the bunch. Again, just how fucking dense are you? I’ve **not** been trying to get anybody to see that “I’m really smart”, I was simply defending myself against claims of patting myself on the back, etc… I have no idea why you’re deliberately misconstruing the situation, but it’s slimey and dishonest. > [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > Although for someone who claims to be _SO VERY VERY SMART_ you sure do have a knack for missing the point. What, that you’re creating a starwman and trying to argue against it? That I don’t have a right to defend myself? Yeah, great job on the logic there. You want to talk about missing the point? How about how I was simply pointing out that some parents concerns were valid, and not bragging? Naw, that point seems to have sailed right the fuck over your head. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/45 "2005-05-12T20:45:38Z")
> [@Cemetery Savior](#): > > I just think you’re taking this a little more seriously than some others in the pissing match (= argument). If anything, the strident tone of your denial makes more of this than there is. Sorry, I don’t like being personally insulted. Don’t think I want to change that, either. > [@Cemetery Savior](#): > > Honestly, I didn’t think it was that insulting to call you a braggart. ~shrugs~ It’s an insult. We can quibble about just how insulting it was, if you really want. > [@Cemetery Savior](#): > > Isn’t it a mark of honor to be picked upon for brains nowadays? Have we learned nothing from sit-coms and “B” movies? To a degree, yes. But you’re also proving my point. People **are** picked on for their intellect. This can be very hurtful, especially for children. That was my only point. ---
**Author:** ![Cemetery\_Savior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Cemetery\_Savior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cemetery_Savior)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/46 "2005-05-12T20:47:04Z")
> [@vibrotronica](#): > > All words are coined words. > > “Pink” and “mediocretin” are derogetory terms used within the SubGenuis religion to refer to non-SubGs. Wait a minute…there’s a “religion” named Sub Genius? Care to hijack even further and give me the gist? They use derogatory terms for people not considered “Genius”? Or, am I mistaken? If so, the original usage (in the thread) is even more sweetly ironic. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/47 "2005-05-12T20:53:18Z")
> [@treis](#): > > Judging by your demeanor in that thread I think its pretty safe to say whatever social problems you experienced were due to being an ass instead of a genius. Funny how **Finn** ’s demeanor was just fine until people started jumping on him for “bragging”. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/48 "2005-05-12T20:53:22Z")
> [@Genghis Bob](#): > > Finnagain, you were definitely whooshed in the original thread. Yes, and I said as much, in that thread, **before** the majority of people laid into me. > [@Genghis Bob](#): > > Your misunderstanding of the thread caused your first post to come off as self-aggrandizing, to some extent. To some people. Others didn’t read it that way, and it wasn’t the way it was meant, and I went on to explain that, in the thread, when I explained why I was whooshed. > [@Genghis Bob](#): > > I thought the responses to you from most of the other posters were, um, “affectionately vicious” - sure they made fun of your post, but it was no worse than lots of other mis-posts get, 'cause we’ve all made the same sort of mistake and gotten reamed ourselves. This is a mean place full of smart people, so any mis-step gets you clobbered. Didn’t seem like anything personal to me. Eh… you want to call it affectionately vicious, that’s your call. Personally, at least in the Pit, I’m free to swing back when someone swings at me. > [@Genghis Bob](#): > > (And, yeah, I also saw the result of your misunderstanding as ironic. By your misunderstanding, you seemed to model the behaviour that was being pitted.) Except, I wasn’t trying to one-up anybody, and I was simply pointing out that the concerns raised by some parents would be valid. That’s it. I explain that, in that thread. How people can still view my post as somehow patting myself on the back is beyond me. > [@Genghis Bob](#): > > Where you went wrong was in returning the viciousness without the “affectionate” part. This is probably my number one gripe about the Dope. If you insult someone, have the balls to stand up and take it when they respond. I’m not obligated to respond to insults with a smile. > [@Genghis Bob](#): > > You were really over the top, out of proportion to the type of “attacks” that were being leveled at you. This being the pit, any time somebody loses it (as you appeared to), lots of folks can’t help wading in for some fun. I was civil at the beginning, and then as people made their attacks more personal and less ‘affectionate’, I responded in kind. How exactly is that over the top? How exactly did I lose it? No, I’m sorry, when a swarm of fools descend on me because there’s some controversy and in an attempt to stir up some shit, I’m allowed to respond, and miracle of miracles, I don’t become the badguy for responding to insults in kind. > [@Genghis Bob](#): > > Unless you’ve got your tongue firmly embedded in your cheek, and we’ve all \*been \* whooshed, you should consider stepping back and taking a deep breath, if only for the sake of your blood pressure and stuff. My blood pressure is quite fine, and I’m quite relaxed, thank you. I don’t plan on ‘stepping back’, because a bunch of people were assholes, and continue to be. Ah well. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/49 "2005-05-12T20:53:59Z")
> [@Cemetery Savior](#): > > Wait a minute…there’s a “religion” named Sub Genius? Care to hijack even further and give me the gist? > > They use derogatory terms for people not considered “Genius”? Or, am I mistaken? > > If so, the original usage (in the thread) is even more sweetly ironic. Dude, how can you never have heard of the [Church of the Sub-Genius](http://www.subgenius.com/), and its terrifyingly genial messiah, [Bob](http://www.downhaul.com/windsurf/031028/images/bob.jpg)? Goddamn, man, you’re Pinker than the porno rack at a 7-11. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/50 "2005-05-12T20:55:09Z")
FWIW, I think the attacks on **Finn** were ill-mannered, and far worse than his own mistake. Y’all oughtta chill. **Finn** , were I in your shoes, I don’t know if I could take this advice, but it’d probably be worth your rolling your eyes, thinking, “morons,” and ignoring them. Not because they’re morons, but because ignoring them is likely to make you happier than indulging them. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/51 "2005-05-12T20:56:05Z")
Shovels! Shovels! Get yer Shovels! Oh and by the way, which one’s Pink? ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/52 "2005-05-12T20:57:17Z")
> [@treis](#): > > Funny you mention those two activities becuase I was in the chess club and I did play the flute. I stand by my statements intelligence does not prevent anyone from making friends. You’re being a moron. You have one case study, of your own childhood. And you seek to extend this to the entire sociocultural dynamic of all children in all schools, everywhere? Stand by your statements all you like, you’re still ignorant and loud mouthed. > [@treis](#): > > Acting like you are somehow better than everyone else becuase supposedly you are smarter does. Luckily, I didn’t do that. Try again Kreskin. > [@treis](#): > > Judging by your demeanor in that thread I think its pretty safe to say whatever social problems you experienced were due to being an ass instead of a genius. Yeah, when people attack me I respond… what an ass! I should just take your idiocy laying down. Why, no child in no school, ever, was teased for being smart. Treis says it, so it must be true! Again, this tactic is just slimey. Insult someone, and then insult them again for responding to your insult? Fucking coward. > [@treis](#): > > Which category do I fall under, the assholes, the jealous or the mediocretins? I think you’re pretty much just an asshole, but if you honestly think that your high school experience is the same for every child everywhere, you’re also a moron. ---
**Author:** ![Try\_As\_I\_Might](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea666f/32.png) [@Try\_As\_I\_Might](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try_As_I_Might)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/53 "2005-05-12T20:58:42Z")
From the above link: Pink-- Short for “Pink Boy” – derogatory term for human Normals. AKA Barbies & Kens, Cage Dwellers, Mediocretins, Norm-Worms, Glorps. A dupe of the Conspiracy. Boy, I have no idea how anyone would take anything you say as intellectuallt arrogant–but i’m probably just a media… er medio… er dummy. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/54 "2005-05-12T20:59:05Z")
The funniest thing in the linked thread is that after the first few insults were thrown at **FinnAgain** ’s initial post, he didn’t respond to the insults, just apologized for misunderstanding the OP (the OP accepted the apology). All was fine and the thread proceeding normally, until the next morning when **Cemetery Savior** decided they had to remind everyone how funny their “Alanis” joke was. > [@Cemetery Savior](#): > > Finn Again cracks me right up. Is it wrong to say that I pointed out the irony issue first, with my regrettably-obscure Alanis Morrisette reference? See…I am smart. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/55 "2005-05-12T20:59:08Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Dude, how can you never have heard of the [Church of the Sub-Genius](http://www.subgenius.com/), and its terrifyingly genial messiah, [Bob](http://www.downhaul.com/windsurf/031028/images/bob.jpg)? So that’s what he’s been doing with the money from all those Enzyte commercials! ---
**Author:** ![Cemetery\_Savior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Cemetery\_Savior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cemetery_Savior)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/56 "2005-05-12T20:59:42Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Dude, how can you never have heard of the [Church of the Sub-Genius](http://www.subgenius.com/), and its terrifyingly genial messiah, [Bob](http://www.downhaul.com/windsurf/031028/images/bob.jpg)? > > Goddamn, man, you’re Pinker than the porno rack at a 7-11. You may rest assured that I’m going to check that one out. I love the idea of a “terifyingly Genial Messiah”. I’m inclined to thank you for the porno reference, but I reserve the right to be infuriated once I define “pink”. Thanks for the pointer. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/57 "2005-05-12T21:00:07Z")
Pssst. **Miller** , there are quotes around “Bob”, it’s important! 😉 **Left Hand of Dorkness** : You’re probably right, but I felt like getting the discussion away from the other thread and was sorry for hijacking it. I’m pretty sure that I’ve said most of what I have to say, we shall see. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/58 "2005-05-12T21:03:43Z")
> [@Duke of Rat](#): > > Shovels! Shovels! Get yer Shovels! > > Oh and by the way, which one’s Pink? [This one.](http://www.sergioleone.net/dm-33.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/59 "2005-05-12T21:04:02Z")
> [@Try As I Might...](#): > > From the above link: > Pink-- Short for “Pink Boy” – derogatory term for human Normals. AKA Barbies & Kens, Cage Dwellers, Mediocretins, Norm-Worms, Glorps. A dupe of the Conspiracy. Yes… now you do realize that the Church of the SubGenius is a massive joke and shouldn’t be taken seriously? If not, fear my Yeti might and prepare for X-day! > [@Try As I Might...](#): > > Boy, I have no idea how anyone would take anything you say as intellectuallt arrogant–but i’m probably just a media… er medio… er Right, because I’m a SubGenius, I must be arrogant. ~yawns~ I can, however, use the term in one of its incarnations to refer to those who freak out over a display of intelligence, and want people to have false modesty. I’d say that a pretty good picture of a mediocretin would be a guy who tells you that when talking about your high school experience, if you were smart, you should lie through you teeth and pretend you’re talking about ‘a friend’. If that isn’t love of mediocrity, what is? ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/60 "2005-05-12T21:06:00Z")
I know fucking good and well that kids are picked on for their intellect; I’ve got the test scores and wounds to prove it. That wasn’t the point of the original thread. You were hijacking from the word go. Get over yourself. And I said I hoped your gf was the better breadwinner, not that you would be incapable of earning any money. It’s called p-r-o-j-e-c-t-i-o-n. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591.md?page=4)