# Catch-All Dio Pitting **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 11, 2011, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997 "2011-04-11T20:04:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/321 "2011-04-13T19:02:38Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > For the sake of the board, which I do care about, I will make an effort to be more thoughtful about how I say what I say instead of just popping off. I know I’m hyperbolic. In real life the bombast comes off as less literal amd serious than it does in pure text. I have a tendency to feel that I know I’m right, that my point is reasonable or that I at least have a right to my opinion, so what are they getting so upset about, but I will hereby resolve to take some time before I wade into controversial topics and really think through what I say and how I say it, because **I think I do have reasonable points underneath the bombast if I will just get out ofmy own way**. As someone who frequently disagrees with you on most of your hot button issues (except the Packers. FUCK the Packers.) I’d like to say I agree with the bit I’ve bolded wholeheartedly. > [@](#): > > I’m hearing you guys, ok. I’m going to try. Very classy, sir. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/322 "2011-04-13T19:03:57Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Nice try. Not happening. I can wait a long, long time. I’ll be like the kid in AI staring at the blue fairy on this melon farming thread. > [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Haaa! That shit was vague like de ja vu and repressed memories! > > ETA: Hentor, I’m the robot at the end, tossling that kid’s head as he sleeps. You’re both weirdos is what you are. ---
**Author:** ![gurujulp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ba9def/32.png) [@gurujulp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gurujulp)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/323 "2011-04-13T19:04:37Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > Yeah, he’s got, like, a hundred colanders. Da dopest! ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/324 "2011-04-13T19:11:57Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The fact that some people are now saying that they don’t know if they can trust me on Bible discussions does bother me some. It’s the one topic where I not only really do know what I’m talking about, but which doesn’t push any hot buttons for me. The thing is, even on that topic, you often overstate the facts or the extent of your expertise. Earlier in this thread, **CitizenPained** pointed out one such example, and I remember encountering several more over the years. Therein lies the problem. You’re more knowledgeable than most, but because you frequently overstate matters, ignore nuances or ambiguities, and won’t graciously 'fess up to even simple errors, people are learning not to trust you in these matters. [Here’s an example from last year.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=560431) You repeatedly insisted that we should trust your interpretation of a passage from Job, based on your ability to read Greek. Yet others who could also read Greek (both Bible scholars and some fellow dopers) disagreed with your interpretation, which suggests that one should not be quick to trust your word implicitly. Heck, I and others pointed out that even your reading of the passage in _English_ was incorrect on multiple accounts, so why should we trust what you said about the Greek? I’m not saying this to drudge up old arguments, **Diogenes**. I’m saying this to explain why people are learning to distrust what you say. You provide enough knowledge to sound credible, but you’re careless with regard to details and you frequently overstate matters – even to the point of taking extreme, iconoclastic viewpoints and insisting that they are they only possible interpretations. In other words, you present a confusing mix of truth and error – kind of like having dozens of land mines buried with a rich, luscious pasture. People can be tempted to stroll gleefully through the entire pasture, but people who are aware of the dangers would be reluctant to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/325 "2011-04-13T19:13:22Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Haaa! That shit was vague like de ja vu and repressed memories! > > ETA: Hentor, I’m the robot at the end, tossling that kid’s head as he sleeps. Well played! But I’m the little known DVD extra of the extended scene where the kid slightly opens one eye after the robot leaves, revealing that I’ve still got my eye on you. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/326 "2011-04-13T19:26:03Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > The thing is, even on that topic, you often overstate the facts or the extent of your expertise. Earlier in this thread, **CitizenPained** pointed out one such example, and I remember encountering several more over the years. Therein lies the problem. You’re more knowledgeable than most, but because you frequently overstate matters, ignore nuances or ambiguities, and won’t graciously 'fess up to even simple errors, people are learning not to trust you in these matters. > > [Here’s an example from last year.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=560431) You repeatedly insisted that we should trust your interpretation of a passage from Job, based on your ability to read Greek. It was Jonah, not Job and I didn’t tell anyybody to trust anything. The passage was Henrew, not Greek. I posted Young’s Literal Translation, the actual Greek text of the LXX and my own translation of the LXX. People can read the thread for themselves if they want, but I think you were making some pretty abstruse objections to a plain reading of text. ---
**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:** [April 13, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/327 "2011-04-13T19:53:32Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > This is a total mischaracterizatiom of what happened. I pointed out that something you posted contradicted other stuff you had posted. I didn’t know you, but we had several other posters caught posting bullshit stories before. And FYI, I didn’t play detective. A couple of other people PM’ed me with the info and asked me to post it. I didn’t “decide you were lying.” I asked (at the private request of other posters) why you had posted contradictory accounts of your childhood. I also accepted your answer and didn’t argue with you about it and have never questioned you since. > > One more time, I did it because others asked me to do it, not because I did any investigating on my own. [Moderating] **Diogenes** , this is posting by proxy, which is a violation of the board’s terms of service. In the future, please let people post their own accusations, or, if they’re reluctant to do so for whatever reason, let them stay quiet. No warning issued. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/328 "2011-04-13T20:11:02Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I’m hearing you guys, ok. I’m going to try. Good on ya. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/329 "2011-04-13T20:15:37Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > It was Jonah, not Job and I didn’t tell anyybody to trust anything. You’re right that the passage was from Jonah, and in my haste, I misspoke. (See? I can admit to error.) However, you most certainly did insist that you had translated the passage correctly, and that it unambiguously supported your specific interpretation. How is that anything but a claim that we should trust you? > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The passage was Henrew, not Greek. Correct, which is why I did not say that the passage was in Hebrew. Rather, I said that you offered your interpretation based on your knowledge of Greek. At no point did I claim that the original was in Greek. > [@](#): > > I posted Young’s Literal Translation, the actual Greek text of the LXX and my own translation of the LXX. People can read the thread for themselves if they want, but I think you were making some pretty abstruse objections to a plain reading of text. Oh, please. Anyone who reads the text can see that you repeatedly misconstrued the text in English, despite your protestations of being exactly correct. They can also see that others who can ALSO read Greek construed the passage differently from the way you did. Heck, even when you did finally acknowledge one of those English errors, you refused to do so graciously, insisting that it was the “[same fucking difference](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12413826&postcount=81).” Again, this is clear for anybody to see. **Diogenes** , you are illustrating the very same behavior for which people have been taking you to task. You are overstating the extent of your expertise, misrepresenting facts, and refusing to admit any significant error. **Dio** , you expressed concern at the fact that certain folks are learning not to trust your word regarding Biblical matters. I’m trying to show you some of the reasons WHY people are learning to be distrustful of your claims. You should learn from this… that is, if you truly mean it when you say that you’ll reconsider your ways. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/330 "2011-04-13T20:21:02Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Well played! But I’m the little known DVD extra of the extended scene where the kid slightly opens one eye after the robot leaves, revealing that I’ve still got my eye on you. I’m the old robot that shuffles in and gives that eye a squirt with the oil can. There. Eyes are closed, kid’s down for the count. All set. We can shut this thread down, now. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/331 "2011-04-13T20:25:43Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > I’m the old robot that shuffles in and gives that eye a squirt with the oil can. There. Eyes are closed, kid’s down for the count. All set. We can shut this thread down, now. Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/332 "2011-04-13T20:30:35Z")
Finally. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/333 "2011-04-13T20:32:07Z")
Anyone up for a game of Three Colander Monte? ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/334 "2011-04-13T20:53:18Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I’m hearing you guys, ok. I’m going to try. Bless you, Diogenes. I’m glad to hear it. ---
**Author:** ![gurujulp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ba9def/32.png) [@gurujulp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gurujulp)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/335 "2011-04-13T21:07:38Z")
I don’t bless him- I love his arrogance, and aspire to it, some days… Dio- DO aspire to improve yourself, by your own measure… I agree with some of the posters that their measure is valid… That does NOT mean that anything we say is valid by your measure! Please, Stay Dio, but always live for improvement! (this comment should not be construed to contraindicate those who have posted on teh sux of any previous DtC comment) ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/336 "2011-04-13T21:12:07Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > I’ve read some of those threads, and when you’re challenged you reply with posts that contain cites, and explanations why your position is what it is. From my point of view, an atheist who knows the bible and can explain what it is, and what it _isn’t_, is wonderful to read. > > I think what frustrates a lot of people is that we know you are capable of so much more than “The Dio Show”. If that sounds patronising, I apologise, I can’t think of a better way to express it. I’d like to see some citations in my arguments with Dio. That’d be great. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/337 "2011-04-13T21:13:26Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > For the sake of the board, which I do care about, I will make an effort to be more thoughtful about how I say what I say instead of just popping off. I know I’m hyperbolic. In real life the bombast comes off as less literal amd serious than it does in pure text. I have a tendency to feel that I know I’m right, that my point is reasonable or that I at least have a right to my opinion, so what are they getting so upset about, but I will hereby resolve to take some time before I wade into controversial topics and really think through what I say and how I say it, because I think I do have reasonable points underneath the bombast if I will just get out ofmy own way. I really do feel like I’ve read this post before. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/338 "2011-04-13T21:55:15Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > I’d like to see some citations in my arguments with Dio. That’d be great. It’s hit or miss with him. Sometimes he will provide copious cites which demonstrate that he’s done some reading on the matter. His cites won’t necessarily present the breadth of interpretations or scholarly opinions on a matter, and he doesn’t always present their content accurately. However, they do show that he understands the importance of such citations. At other times, he makes broad claims without any citations whatsoever. Therein lies the rub. He sounds credible because, once he gets going, he can discuss certain topics at length. As I said though, these discussions tend to be a mix of scholarly work, overstated claims, and outright error. When people note his lengthier discussions though, some of which are quite detailed indeed, they don’t necessarily realize that they can be mixed bags. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/339 "2011-04-13T22:15:35Z")
I have the oddest sensation that I’m in an evangelical church and somebody just got talked into walking down the aisle. The joyful tears… the swell of the organ… ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997/340 "2011-04-13T22:21:17Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I have the oddest sensation that I’m in an evangelical church and somebody just got talked into walking down the aisle. The joyful tears… the swell of the organ… Hey, now. This is a family thread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catch-all-dio-pitting/577997.md?page=18)