# Do you feel like you have made an impact here? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 23, 2004, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349 "2004-11-23T20:44:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/81 "2004-11-24T18:26:29Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > If only, if only, if only I had larger tits… [Great Tit Picture (SFW)](http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/g/greattit/index.asp) ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/82 "2004-11-24T18:31:26Z")
> [@phall0106](#): > > I doubt that I’ve made much of an impact overall. > > That being said… > > I’d like to thank all the Dopers who have responded to the boards, whose posts I have read. > > To those who have made me laugh when I desperately needed to find humor in my life, and for those times when I didn’t even know that I desperately needed to laugh. > > To those who have made me think about situations, or ideas, or views that I didn’t realize I needed to explore within my life, or the lives of others, and who made me see another perspective. > > To those who allowed me to borrow their knowledge–whether it be useful knowledge or completely trivial knowledge. > > To those who, unknowingly through their comments here on the board, have offered a lifeline to someone they didn’t even know, without expecting anything in return. > > To those who help alleviate my unrealistic fears, inspired my idealistic thoughts and encouraged my hopeful dreams. > > To those who assisted me through boredom, writer’s block, sadness, anticipation, and anger. And yet, remained for joy, excitement, hope and happiness. > > I have laughed, and cried, over what I’ve read from Dopers. Yes, some names stand out more than others, however, each and every one as a whole has made a difference. What **phal** wrote. With an addendum: \*\* To those who are funnier than me, I’ve stolen every one of your jokes for my own evil porpoises. \*\* Yeah, $14.95 is worth it just for that, baby. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/83 "2004-11-24T18:33:43Z")
> [@Abbie Carmichael](#): > > Impact? Nah. That’s okay, though. I’m not looking to change the SDMB world. Don’t sell yourself short. I did a search on your user name to find out what you had to say, post-election. I found it both well-reasoned and well-expressed. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/84 "2004-11-24T18:50:13Z")
In answer to the OP: Heck no. ---
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/85 "2004-11-24T19:23:46Z")
Have I had an impact on the boards? No. Among the Dopers I’ve met and befriended? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/86 "2004-11-24T19:34:27Z")
Have I made an impact? Uh-uh, nope, nada, none. At least not on these boards. However, these boards have made an impact on me. Whenever I have a question that I can’t answer, I usually think, “Hmmm, I’ll do some research and see what I can find. If I can’t find it, I’ll check with the people on the SDMB. Someone’s bound to know something about the subject there.” There are lots of different people on these boards with lots of different experiences and education levels. I’ve found the boards very helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/87 "2004-11-24T20:02:17Z")
> [@toadspittle](#): > > Nah. The occasional factoid in GQ, virtually no impact in GD, and a horrible track record of starting threads that go nowhere. You and me both, baby. Except I used to hang out in the Pit, mostly. Oh, wait, I did get noticed once, when **Jarbaby** lambasted me for being a child-hater. Not that I’m harbouring a grudge, or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/88 "2004-11-24T20:19:09Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > Goatees on women just aren’t attractive. Insert your own favorite Joan Rivers joke here. > [@Lamia](#): > > Well, if it makes you feel better, I always thought you were a big boob. Guess that explains why I spend so much time playing with myself… ---
**Author:** ![Denis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5e9695/32.png) [@Denis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Denis)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/89 "2004-11-24T20:21:27Z")
I don’t think I’ve made any big splash, but yeah. I’ve had posts responded to favorably and unfavorably, had someone post that my jokes were funny, etc. None of us who post here are posting to a vacuum. Whether we realize it or not, we do have an impact. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/90 "2004-11-24T20:22:16Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Insert your own favorite Joan Rivers joke here.\ I’m thinking more of an “Absolutely Fabulous” joke - “One more facelift and she’ll have a beard!” ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/91 "2004-11-24T20:40:02Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Insert your own favorite Joan Rivers joke here.Guess that explains why I spend so much time playing with myself… **Cervaise** for the record, I think you have had a big impact, especially over at CS. I don’t always agree with you but I give a lot of weight to your opinions and I enjoy your posts. I look forward to another staff report. Am I gushing? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/92 "2004-11-24T21:04:10Z")
When you suggest that a grown man eats PBJs that have been floating in a pool of his own urine for 30 minutes, which ne not only does but then talks his wife into photographing the occasion for posterity, I like to think that is making an impact. ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/93 "2004-11-24T21:20:02Z")
I don’t expect to have much impact because I know that I _read_ far more threads than I ever post to – as can be seen by my rather low post-count given that I’ve been here, literally, since day one. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/94 "2004-11-24T21:26:22Z")
> [@Tusculan](#): > > Lobsang: Record-holder of multipost (sextuple post!). Expert in Mundane and Pointless, as well as **holder of some irrelevancy award**. See sig. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/95 "2004-11-24T23:05:39Z")
Not a bit. I haven’t made an impression on this Board. On the other hand, I’ve learned a shitpot full on information from Here. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/96 "2004-11-24T23:39:25Z")
> [@Tusculan](#): > > Qadgop: Dutch ancestry. MD and Tolkien fan, probably bores patients with lengthy discourses about the origins and alternative names of **medicinal herbs**. _Medicinal Herbs_? \<\<_snort_\>\> Not bloody likely. In my practice setting, the most effective means of maintaining compliance is by instilling a mix of awe and fear in my patients. As they’re being taken to the procedure room to have me wield my scalpel, they’ll seek reassurance by asking me if I’ve done many of their particular procedure before. And I’ll reply “Son, I’ve done so many that I can do them in my sleep. I often do.” In fact I used that line again today. ---
**Author:** ![Keapon\_Laffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e274bd/32.png) [@Keapon\_Laffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keapon_Laffin)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/97 "2004-11-24T23:48:57Z")
> [@Anastasaeon](#): > > Every name I saw in this thread I remember at least a little bit of, having read something of theirs somewhere, at sometime. But then, I have an almost pornographic memory. This actually made sense to me. You shouldn’t have corrected yourself. I can understand relating certain Doper names with pornographic images, acts or positions. 😃 Some people do that, I’m sure. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/98 "2004-11-25T00:05:56Z")
I know I’ve had some influence in a few miscellaneous topics, like hurricane survival tips and the WWII internment of Japanese-Americans (unfortunately, I managed to post a long, carefully-crafted post on the latter subject without once correctly spelling _internment_ – I was leaving out the “n” for some reason!). So I don’t know how seriously anyone takes anything I may write. It probably doesn’t help that most of my posts are drive-by one-liners and contributions to music/film recommendation threads and similar ephemera. I know that I helped persuade one guy to try the movie “The Wicker Man” and he hated it; OTOH, another guy tried the band Les Sans Culottes on my rec and liked 'em. You win some, you lose some… ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/99 "2004-11-25T01:15:08Z")
> [@Anastasaeon](#): > > This humiliated me so badly last night, and my husband just howled with laughter, after seeing me gasp in shock and coming over to see what was going on, pointing and taunting “_Guess what you’ll be known as_!” > I couldn’t tell what was worse - the Fruedian slip, the foolishness one feels after claiming something like having a “photographic memory” (like bragging about how graceful you are and then falling down a flight of stairs) or the fact that it was in a thread about having an impact, and it was a genuine, honest-to-Og mistake - if it weren’t me, I’d think “Yeah, they said that to make an _impact_.” > Hubby says he regrets not having a Kodak for the moment. I had tears in my eyes, and I’m still not sure if it was from humilation or laughter. Little of both. > > So, just for the record, I didn’t mean it, it was late, I was happy my husband was up with me because he had a rare late start for the next day (today), and my mind was obviously elsewhere. I am so, so sorry if I offended anyone - it was _not_ intentional. Well, I can’t speak for the board (seriously I can’t. They took me to court over it.) but I am shocked and horrified by what I read in your post. I haven’t been this shocked since the incident on Monday Night Football, which is so disgusting that I shall not even link to it. Needless to say, I now have to purify my eyes and burn my computer screen which has been sullied by your foul language. A pox on you, you purveyor of filth. 😃 In all seriousness (which in my case tends to be none), your post cracked me up. I’m sure you’re not the first to do it and I’m sure you won’t be the last. But you made me, and likely a few others laugh. There’s ya impact baby 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349/100 "2004-11-25T02:29:29Z")
Umm… I would hazard that a very small percentage here really like me (considerably less than 1%), a similar number really dislike me, about ten or twenty percent recognise my name, and might know one or two extremely basic things about me, but the vast majority neither know me nor give a rat’s arse. And that is how it should be. The figures would be reciprocal in that there are a small handful of people I like and dislike, and beyond that it’s a sea of grey. I guess I recognise a couple hundred usernames, and maybe a hundred or so I can give a basic “oh (s)he’s a writer / doctor / Canadian / computer geek / gay activist / trekkie / conservative / screwball / pilot / comedian / etc”. I think it mirrors real life pretty closely. The only difference for me is that, like quite a few others here, I’m active in some of the spin-off boards, so the people I know and am know to are kinda skewed into a ceetain subculture here. However, I wrote the above as pertaining to the SDMB generally. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-like-you-have-made-an-impact-here/276349.md?page=6)