First post, so apologies if this is the wrong forum, I act like a fool etc. etc.
I’ve been lurking for quite a while now and already spend too long reading threads, usually at work where I should really be doing something more productive. I really like the board and think you’re a lovely bunch, but I worry that it’s addictive. If I pay my hard-earned cash (and I don’t earn a lot of it) this will surely only get worse. But dammit, I like it here.
So should I continue to just read, jump in with my arms flung wide, or run away whilst there’s still time?
BUT…on the other hand, it is a good resource. For example, I have a question in GQ about my computer, a fairly specific question, which just got answered.
In Cafe Society, I learn what other people are doing on my favorite computer games. People recommend me new sci-fi books to read.
I can bitch about anything in the Pit.
I can tell people about my new gecko (when I get one) in MPSIMS.
And if I feel like I’m the “only one” doing something, I can check it out in IMHO with a poll.
Just this week, someone asked in GQ how to survive 2 weeks without food, as they were having serious financial difficulties. Several people ponied up some money for this person, with only the stipulation that they pass it on when they need it.
I didn’t state something clearly in one of my posts and someone was worried I was breaking up with my SO.
Thanks, Elenia. These are all good points and why I’ve come to enjoy reading the Dope over the last months.
What if it takes over my life though. At the moment I only look at work but what if I turn into one of the crazy posters who write through the night (you know who you are )
That’s why there are Dopefests. It allows dopers to leave their houses once a year and, if the see their shadows, there will be three pit threads and one in GD to figure out how to what to do with the big glowing ball in the sky (It’s the sun people. If you don’t see it much, it will burn you.)
If you can afford the price, Ithaka, give it a go, I say. T’is about 100 minutes from dawn here in Auckland, and I’m posting 'cause by chance I’m pulling a bit of a night-owl session here. I’m glad I’ve got the SDMB to rely on for cool stuff to read and convos to take part in when I need it. I don’t post nearly as often as I used to – but yeah, I’d pay again next year. The place is a cool one to support.
Think of it this way: if you don’t join, at some point you’re going to be reading a thread and realize you have the perfect joke or zinger, something so clever and witty that it would make you a board legend for hours, perhaps even days. But you won’t be able to post it, and soon someone else will come along and post a much less clever version of it, ruining your one chance at Internet immortality.
If you do join, you may get fired and have to eat out of a trash can, but at least you won’t miss opportunities to make jokes on a message board during the rare occasions you’re able to use a public computer terminal at the library.
Come, Ithaka! Come into the darkne… err… light! Join Us! Don’t look back! There’s nothing there! It’s all here! Enter into the Dope! The Dope is all there is! There is nothing else! Come to the Dope! Come to the Dope! :eek:
Besides, there’s a lot of stuff to learn here. If ya get caught lookin’ at work, you can show how you’re really just using this site for some research. There’s something about everything here. Ok, so, like the rest of us you use it to screw off. If you wanted to, though, it can be work useful. Just sayin’ is all. There, that justification enough to fork over $14.95?
Having experimented with cocaine and methamphetamine in the past, I can vouch for the SDMB being much more addictive. I had no problem ceasing my use of those drugs, but I could never stop Doping even if I tried.
I’ve only been a member for a little while, but I’ve liked it very much so far. I’m not witty with the clever come-back (thereby earning myself SDMB immortality) but I figure the board needs people like me to appreciate everyone else. Come play!!
But you don’t necessarily have to get addicted when you pay up. I’ve been here quite a while and have paid, but I still mostly lurk. I guess I’m shy about posting but I still like to consider myself a part of the community, even though I’ve never gone to a dopefest and don’t know any posters in real life. I do read a lot but I’m not obsessed, nor am I known to anybody.
When it all comes down to it, I want to be a member of this community because I really like it here, even if I don’t have much to contribute. I’m sure they gladly took my money. One of these days I’ll think of that perfect zinger and when I do, I might even share it. Watch out then, boy.
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