# Does the Board's mission matter anymore? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 15, 2023, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068 "2023-07-15T14:30:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/1 "2023-07-15T14:30:03Z")
The mission of the Straight Dope, and subsequently, it’s Board, was to “fight ignorance”. Is this still the case? Or is the SDMB now just a place where those of us who like doing more writing than is possible on Facebook and YouTube comments can come to talk, regardless of whether they are fighting ignorance… or spreading it? Interested in comments, but especially from those ‘in charge’ - mods, @Ed_Zotti , even @Cecil_Adams? (And yes, I know. But I still like to maintain polite fictions as long as they don’t harm anyone.) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/2 "2023-07-15T14:44:05Z")
Here are my comments: @JohnT, you know I love you, but this strikes me as a colossally pointless question. Are you trying to stir up a heated discussion? Are you bored? > [@JohnT](#): > > But I still like to maintain polite fictions as long as they don’t harm anyone. This statement seems to imply that if the “Board’s mission” doesn’t “matter anymore” (whatever the heck that means), then the mission is reduced to a “polite fiction” (whatever the heck that means) and the maintaining of that “polite fiction” might hypothetically harm someone. And you’re okay with that (i.e., the “polite fiction” – see previous parenthesis) as long as it doesn’t. Harm anyone, that is. To which I say: WTF? ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/3 "2023-07-15T14:50:20Z")
I’m pretty sure the “polite fiction” JohnT is referring to is that Cecil Adams is a real, independent person. ---
**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:** [July 15, 2023, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/4 "2023-07-15T15:20:33Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > it’s Board \*its. OK, ignorance fought. ;-D ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/5 "2023-07-15T15:25:15Z")
Was the point ever really to fight ignorance? Did we ever live up to the stated mission? We are a bunch of smart, bored people shooting the shit and I think that’s all we’ve ever been. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/6 "2023-07-15T15:30:10Z")
That could be the Motto. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/7 "2023-07-15T15:34:54Z")
We will never be Intrepid Truth-Fighters of the SDMB™ until there are snazzy t-shirts proclaiming the mission. Let’s get on it, Powers That Be. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/8 "2023-07-15T15:36:05Z")
Consider that this motto was for the column initially, and the column (mostly) fulfilled that mission statement. The boards were originally an adjunct and realistically never completely lived up to that aspiration. General Questions/Factual Questions is the only real outpost of that ethos here. The rest of the board is looser, although still opposed to obvious contrafactuals. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/9 "2023-07-15T15:36:42Z")
Once a board like this becomes politicized it loses it’s mission. Impossible to fight ignorance when you are forced to defend it because of your party loyalty. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/10 "2023-07-15T15:39:24Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > it’s mission \*its. (It’s taking longer than we thought.) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/11 "2023-07-15T15:42:07Z")
I keep trying to fight my own ignorance. While it’s been an uphill battle I’ve achieved far more in that respect than the rest of the world has as a result of the Dope. It appears that despite the effort by the board the world is actually becoming more ignorant and determined to speed up that trend. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/12 "2023-07-15T16:01:27Z")
> [@JeffB](#): > > I’m pretty sure the “polite fiction” JohnT is referring to is that Cecil Adams is a real, independent person. Who on earth cares about that?? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/13 "2023-07-15T16:02:09Z")
I thought this board’s mission was to have, at any given time, a few total dipsticks. And we’ve been doing great! ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/14 "2023-07-15T16:12:06Z")
What @gnoitall said. (The Board hasn’t been fighting ignorance since 1973.) And also @Johnny_Bravo. I don’t know that the Board itself has a “mission” _per se_, but I, personally, am less ignorant than I would have been without it. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/15 "2023-07-15T16:22:52Z")
As many have mentioned here, I think ignorance has to be self-fought. Maybe the trick is trying to convince people to _want_ to fight their ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/16 "2023-07-15T16:24:03Z")
Fighting ignorance is alive & well. Its been a long time since I first joined the SMDB, with it’s mission is to “fight ignerance.” Its a nobal persuit for sure and many times I’ve witnessed it’s goal has been met. Its of interist too note that my ingnorence has been sucesssfully fought many times over, especially with regard to gramatical’ errers. Its no mistook that my use of contraction’s in particliar has grately improved, thanks to the intellagent peopel on these boreds. Its a miracal. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/17 "2023-07-15T16:29:08Z")
I have suspicions about the specific examples of ignorance that our OP is wanting to fight, but that is and belongs in a different thread, although I sympathize. I always take the OG SD column’s mission statement as that - a corporate mission statement. Sure, it fought ignorance, but in as entertaining a way as possible - full of snark, sarcasm and biting wit (at it’s best). Which means, as the follow up, we’re the same. Several posters may want more of the latter than the former, and it’s fun in the appropriate forums. Some want a much stronger emphasis on the former. And some people are the aforementioned dipsticks, whom shall not be named (and whose roles may very well change depending on the topics and forums being discussed!). Combine that with the demands of a society that rabidly embraces being right on the internet and it brings us back to my first line. Fighting ignorance is a mission statement, and as such, should be treated as literal to the same degree of any corporate mission statement. It may be a part of some sort of idealized direction for a person, company or board, but the nitty gritty is down in the laws, by-laws and interactions of those it serves. ETA - while @Tibby’s post was well done, reading it hurt my eyes and brain. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/18 "2023-07-15T16:45:37Z")
To me the board absolutely fights ignorance. Not exclusively, but it occurs frequently as a part of what is going on here. I know I’ve learned a lot and continue to do so. It’s one of the main reasons I’m here and not on another site. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/19 "2023-07-15T16:50:40Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > Fighting ignorance is alive & well. > [@Atamasama](#): > > To me the board absolutely fights ignorance I strongly agree. The SDMB helps to fight my ignorance all the time (granted, not a very high bar to clear in my case 😉). I literally learn something new almost every day reading the board. Why, just the other day I learned that vinegar eels are a thing that exists, thanks to this board! ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068/20 "2023-07-15T17:12:33Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > The mission of the Straight Dope, and subsequently, it’s Board, was to “fight ignorance”. > > Is this still the case? Coming from you, I feel this question is about the frustration you feel when presenting sound, rational information to people and they don’t take heed and willfully ignore it. You are one of the members I look to for this kind of sound, well thought out information and your post are much appreciated. While we do tend to get off topic and joke around a bit, that doesn’t mean we are not true to the mission statement. The fact that there is a very low percentage of people here that purposely muck things up or try to play devils advocate is one of the reason I stay here, we outnumber them and the moderators keep people in check. Over all the maturity of the board members and staff is in line with my expectations of how a board should be run. We are never going to achieve perfection, but we can try by fighting ignorance. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-boards-mission-matter-anymore/987068.md?page=2)