Back when I used to play D&D, we had a general rule that we never, ever said the names of some of the über-demons, even in jest or casual conversation, because if we did, the DM would attribute those conversations to our characters and roll the dice to see if the über-demons showed up, or maybe sent some of their underlings to see who was calling their names and bothering them. Just generally not fun, so we watched our tongues and talked about other things.
IMHO, the same principle should apply here on the SDMB. One of our members set up a flare, practically begging any white supremacist with a search engine to focus in on the li’l ol’Dope. And now look what’s happened - they’re here! Popping here and there in different fora, saying nasty, hateful things, keeping poor Lynn busy with bannings and warnings and what-not. It’ll take a while for the infestation to die down, and then we’re going to have to Fabreeze™ the joint to get the putrid smell out.
So, how about no more flares to summon the evil ones, mmm?
This thread title? Well, yes, but have you seen the thread titles I’m referring to? ick. Or are you referring to the one that started it all? that one creeps me.
Once, in a GD thread, I made the mistake of posting words to the effect of “That sounds like something [horribly annoying banned poster] would say.” This was a mistake. Apparently said banned poster had already created a new sock puppet account, and invoking his name was all it took to summon him from the vasty deep. Luckily his modus operandi was easily recognizeable and he was soon banned again (and AFAIK has never returned).
I like to think I learned my lesson then – don’t call their names unless you want them to come runnin’.
And this never happens with good stuff. I can talk about pralines and cream ice cream all I want, and it never just shows up. I can even say, “I dare pralines and cream ice cream to visit me.” Nothing. Even “I absolutely forbid pralines and cream ice cream to invade my domicile.” And it doesn’t. Why does the name the devil and he shall appear thing only happen with devils (and white power idiots)? sigh Life is just not fair.
looks around to see if any pralines and cream has magically shown up just to spite her. nope. damn,
This reminds me of a MUD I used to play in. The guys who ran it were big HP Lovecraft dorks. They programmed in a feature where if you typed in “Hastur” three times, an enormous unstoppable eldritch horror would descend from the stars and devour you. We’d spend a lot of time trying to trick newbies and each other into saying it.
