# Do you think of Dopers as your friends? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 4, 2007, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490 "2007-07-04T13:21:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/21 "2007-07-04T14:45:58Z")
[QUOTE=Baffle] I’m intimidated by some of you, I respect a lot of you, but I don’t really know any of you. You’re really more a decentralized knowledge bank. [/QUOTE] Perhaps the dope is sort of like the swarm theory that I just saw in another thread. Friends? Not so much as a trusted co-worker. A co-worker that knows pretty much everything, and can’t rat you out. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/22 "2007-07-04T14:59:44Z")
Hey, I’ve never met any Dopers! Or have I? Nah, no way. I haven’t. I refer to Dopers and WoW-guildies akin as “internet friends.” And I think of certain specific individuals as my “internet crushes.” I’ve never met any so far, may never meet any (although I’d still like that lunch with **Mouse\_Maven** ), but I’ve had fests with people from other 'net communities and I can truly say I knew them quite well. The wife of one of them was quite interested in some of the old war stories that surfaced - her husband hadn’t been part of that particular community for years, having given it up when it interfered with dating her, but another person who was coming knew he was in the area and had invited him; we knew skeletons of his that she’d never had the slightest hint of. One of my longer-lasting bf’s came from one of those fests 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/23 "2007-07-04T15:05:20Z")
Yeah, you’re acquaintances, a sounding board, and many of you have boobs that I hold in the highest regard! By the way, we need something reliable to spot fellow Dopers on the street. I was talking to someone that I thought could be a Doper, but then I made an ass of myself when I brought up 1930s Death Rays and such. I even went so far as to explain “You know…death rays…‘pew pew pew!’…kinda like…lasers…” while cocking my fingers like guns. Yeah, we need something better. Like a t shirt or something. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/24 "2007-07-04T15:27:31Z")
I think we need another word. Webfriend? My friends are people I’ve met in real life, who I like and trust. I know how they are likely to react and what they like doing. The SDMB is packed full of knowledge - from finding obscure film references to sciences (like astronomy and maths) to sympathy for family situations. 🙂 There are posters here who I know will give accurate information. 🆒 There are those who share my interests. there are a few … err … slightly unusual ones too. :eek: So the anonymous posters here have got a solid reputation with me, but I don’t know them in the way I know my friends. Having said all that, I’m looking forward to my first Dopefest in Las Vegas! Start at the top, that’s what I say. ---
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/25 "2007-07-04T15:28:10Z")
I started a thread similar to this one — much poorlier writed and less concise — and the most interesting response I got was from [WhyNot](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7825507&postcount=4). As for me, I suspect my Doper friends _ignore_ me a lot more than my IRL friends. ---
**Author:** ![Juggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/juggler/32/3194_2.png) [@Juggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Juggler)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/26 "2007-07-04T15:34:45Z")
[QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever] then I made an ass of myself when I brought up 1930s Death Rays and such. I even went so far as to explain “You know…death rays…‘pew pew pew!’..kinda like…lasers…” while cocking my fingers like guns. [/QUOTE] Of course he/she didn’t understand you, who’s ever heard of a death ray gun from the 1930’s? On topic: No, not friends. ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/27 "2007-07-04T15:37:49Z")
[QUOTE=Priceguy] Fickle? Have I ever not loved your boobs? [/QUOTE] It doesn’t work if you never tell me you love them. See? They’ll get all droopy and upset if they think nobody loves them. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/28 "2007-07-04T15:38:14Z")
_hangs head in shame_ I’ll just go sit over here now. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/29 "2007-07-04T15:45:07Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] The notorious **pseudotriton ruber ruber** and I are pals IRL (honest, folks, he’s not nearly the asshole you’d expect). [/QUOTE] Now there’s a ringing endorsement! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/30 "2007-07-04T15:47:47Z")
[QUOTE=SiXSwordS] I started a thread similar to this one — much poorlier writed and less concise — and the most interesting response I got was from [WhyNot](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7825507&postcount=4). [/QUOTE] Aw shucks. Yeah, I still feel that way. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/31 "2007-07-04T16:44:22Z")
[QUOTE=Malacandra] Now there’s a ringing endorsement! 😃 [/QUOTE] Damn – I knew I shouldn’t’ve gushed like that … 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/32 "2007-07-04T16:44:33Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] What’s kind of weird is when it turns into a regular real-life friendship. The notorious **pseudotriton ruber ruber** and I are pals IRL (honest, folks, he’s not nearly the asshole you’d expect). [/QUOTE] I believe you! There has probably never been a poster who has made me madder than him. I said something to that effect once, and he e-mailed me to apologize, and I we corresponded a little. I think if we knew each other IRL, we could definitely be friends (don’t know if he feels the same way, but he was very nice in his e-mails!) As far as friends on the SDMB, I definitely have an affection for certain posters here, but it’s not quite the same as a real-life friends. It’s hard to judge how people feel about you when it’s just words on a screen…much easier when you have visual & vocal cues in conversation. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/33 "2007-07-04T16:53:40Z")
Some of them have gotten to be my pals; the others I think of as friendly folks, supporters and acquaintances. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/34 "2007-07-04T17:38:14Z")
Yes, I would say I consider four or five Dopers I’ve not yet met to be my friends, and several others are in the region of pals. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/35 "2007-07-04T18:01:45Z")
If I’m relating a story from a thread to my not web savvy IRL people, I just shorthand it to “my friend online” even if I’ve never had an actual exchange with that individual Doper. It’s just easier. And everything **WhyNot** said, as usual. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/36 "2007-07-04T18:03:15Z")
[QUOTE=glee] I think we need another word. Webfriend? My friends are people I’ve met in real life, who I like and trust. I know how they are likely to react and what they like doing. [/QUOTE] I agree. I couldn’t consider anyone that I’ve never met to be a friend. It has so much to do with personal chemistry. Impossible to get that online. (For me, anyway.) This is a terrific community, and I love hanging out here. But there aren’t any specific individuals that I seek out or hope to connect with when I log in. Perhaps I’ll make a friend or two at the Dopefest next weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/37 "2007-07-04T19:17:44Z")
I’m friends with all of you! Except the ones that I’m not…and particularly not the ones that I despise… 😛 ---
**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:** [July 4, 2007, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/38 "2007-07-04T19:26:30Z")
[QUOTE=glee] I think we need another word. Webfriend? \ Having said all that, I’m looking forward to my first Dopefest in Las Vegas! Start at the top, that’s what I say. [/QUOTE] I like that word. Webfriend. “I was talking\* with my webfriends last week, and they said that George Bush is going to be assassinated over Scooter Libby’s pardon.” Then I would have to explain who Scooter Libby was, and why he was pardoned. 😃 I wish I was going to the Las Vegas Dopefest. Say hi to **DMark and LVGeoGeek** for me (and various SO’s). ☹ Oh yeah, the OP - not friends _per se_. Webfriends covers it for me. I consider the ones I have met as friends, though. \*We need a word for talking in message boards, too. “I was typing with my webfriends” doesn’t have the right feel. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2007, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/39 "2007-07-05T01:06:25Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] \*We need a word for talking in message boards, too. “I was typing with my webfriends” doesn’t have the right feel. [/QUOTE] Conversing? ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2007, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490/40 "2007-07-05T01:10:45Z")
“Talking”? “Chatting”? “Holding oral discourse with”? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-of-dopers-as-your-friends/410490.md?page=3)