# Dudes of straight dope, if I type in proper english... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 15, 2013, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899 "2013-09-15T08:14:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/341 "2013-09-25T21:23:56Z")
Obvious troll is not only obvious, he’s boring. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/342 "2013-09-25T21:27:20Z")
My theory is that mods enjoy keeping a handful of low-level trolls around. Keeps the regular upstanding members focused on a common enemy instead of turning on each other. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/343 "2013-09-25T21:29:00Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > Dude, you are an advert for extra-strength Tylenol. Which is fine. What isn’t, is trying to figure out what you the fuck you are on about, knowing you need to take some at the end for for trying to figure out stupid drivel there was no need to read in the first place. > > Go play play with the kewl kids; we’re not. You have summed it up so nicely here! Thanks! So GLAD not to be a kewl kid. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/344 "2013-09-25T22:23:44Z")
> [@Gateway](#): > > You all: dont care if you think i m immature but: I realized i will post on this forum NEway i want. if you have beef with that, well, too bad. > > 2 those who r respectful bout this and not oversensitive twits, then: its not bout hurting u. i feel its retarded 2 even have to say that > > its not a moral obligation for me to conform to ur writing standards. u would think that a debate forum…, well i guess people wouldnt b butthurt if other people typed different from u. if u dont like it hit the ‘back’ button Well, your decision. Keep in mind though that what you say, i.e. the bare content of your message, isn’t the only thing you communicate. Every communication is a social interaction—and even though transactional psychology is maybe a bit last century by now, there’s some truth to the idea that every such interaction involves a bit of negotiation between the involved parties; by ‘sticking to your guns’, you refuse to take part in these negotiations, and thus, ultimately, in the act of communicating. You’re merely broadcasting, and thus, whatever you have to say will only reach those willing to hear it; but those are the people you’re alienating. Douglas Hofstadter identifies three levels of communication within a message. The first is the frame message: it merely identifies whatever carries it as being a message. Think about communicating with aliens: the first thing you need to do is make it clear to them that what you’re trying to send them is something that hasn’t just occurred by chance, but is the product of another intelligence trying to establish communication. The second level is the outer message, which says something about how the message is supposed to be read. This is were the negotiation takes place. Picture yourself in a marketplace, trying to sell some goods: you’ll need to establish a certain merchant-customer relationship in order to make any progress. Meet people halfway, and take them to where they want to buy whatever you’re selling. If you’re just sullenly sitting in your corner with whatever it is you brought to the marketplace, you’ll probable not end up making a great sales day. This is where you have to follow the rules of the market, even though they may be arbitrary. And hey, maybe what you’re selling is better rules: but even then, you first have to enter into the discourse, rather than expect the others to do all the work and come to you. Only at the third level does the actual content of the message come into play. Of course, you can take the standpoint that for this content, it doesn’t matter at all how the message is presented; you could write in binary, or Klingon, or an elaborate idiom constructed entirely of gaseous bodily emanations. But while that might be the same content, it wouldn’t be the same message, because if the outer message basically amounts to ‘fuck off, I don’t care about your conventions’ then nobody can be expected to care about the content in return. So, when you want to communicate, offer a transaction: agree to meet your opponent at least halfway, on their territory, rather than expecting them to bridge the gap between the two of you all by themselves. ---
**Author:** ![want2befree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3e96dc/32.png) [@want2befree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2befree)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/345 "2013-09-25T22:43:42Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > [Moderating] > Or at least until you graduate from junior high. > > [/Moderating] LMAO!! ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/346 "2013-09-25T22:47:37Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > [Moderating] > And, in what I fear will almost certainly not be my final act of moderation in this thread, I’ve merged both of **Gateway** ’s threads on this subject into one thread. This might make things a bit more difficult to understand, but honestly, I’m not sure how. > [/Moderating] > [@Giraffe](#): > > Oh dear, you merged the two threads. This one just became even more unreadable. That worked so well I think you should merge a few more into this one. Got any candidates? ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/347 "2013-09-25T22:55:36Z")
Anyone expecting **Gateway’s** next thread to be on how it’s, like, _totally_ unfair that he needs to wear fancy clothes to a job interview and not his normal attire of ripped jeans and Megadeath T-shirt? Like, appreciate him for who he is man, not how he dresses! ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/348 "2013-09-25T23:31:05Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > Dear God, you are unbearable. I really hope for your sake that you’re actually 14 and still have time to develop a personality that doesn’t make everyone want to punch you. Y’know, **Gateway** , **Giraffe** has a messageboard of his own and he obviously has the hots for you. I can’t give you a link, but it’s easy enough to Google. Just saying, is all. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/349 "2013-09-25T23:45:15Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Y’know, **Gateway** , **Giraffe** has a messageboard of his own and he obviously has the hots for you. I can’t give you a link, but it’s easy enough to Google. > > Just saying, is all. That… would… be… AWESOME! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/350 "2013-09-25T23:53:55Z")
> [@Gateway](#): > > Chain of events. > > -I think learning how to debate better will help me be more effacacious in life > -I join this debate board > -In the first few posts I make, a lot of people tell me about my writing style in a basically insulting if not literally insulting way. > -I make a pit post bout it and catch more heat, in part due to my antagnistic posting style. > -I get flamed but I hear some good points. Especially how people of this board don’t easily understand what I am saying which I didn’t think about before. > -I agree to not do it anymore > -I then realized that a cartoon I had been into for awhile, I didn’t like at all suddenly. I check my internal world and it seems I had some programming in my mind saying, “oh, this is immature.” I wonder why this is and realize that one of the big things I had done recently to cause the shift is to agree to be “standard, typing the ‘right’ way, type how I am ‘supposed’ to. be ‘correct,’ etc.” I was in group-mind, and that mind was saying I must be “mature, etc.”. Upon further reflection I realized that it is not nessessary to conform for the sake of the status quo especially if that means taking on a value system that isn’t mine and it doesn’t hurt anybody if I don’t do that. > -I start this thread to attempt to reclaim not giving a shit about others opinions and doing what I want to the extent that it doesn’t hurt anybody (pretty much). I felt the need to start this due to the fact that I already said I wouldn’t text like that anymore so I wanted to say something. > I then get flamed and flame back > -Finally it stands as this. Typing in traditional English has its uses, but is a tool and not a moral principle.(So far as I know) I reserve the right to use it but if I don’t, NO HARM DONE. I may do either. You are free to complain but since I have heard it (immature, stupid, troll, young, offensive) then please post bout it elsewhere. You’re not coming off well here. You’re telling us you don’t care what any of us think while desperately seeking our approval. There are billions of people who honestly don’t care about this board. You can identify them by the fact they don’t post here. So stop fronting. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/351 "2013-09-26T00:24:28Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Y’know, **Gateway** , **Giraffe** has a messageboard of his own and he obviously has the hots for you. I can’t give you a link, but it’s easy enough to Google. > > Just saying, is all. First off, you are a monster. Secondly, we have hardly any rules compared to the SDMB, but one of the few that we do have is “please make at least a good faith effort to write in comprehensible English”. Gateway would end up locked in the Box before he made it to the end of page one of his first thread. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/352 "2013-09-26T00:28:31Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > First off, you are a monster. > > Secondly, we have hardly any rules compared to the SDMB, but one of the few that we do have is “please make at least a good faith effort to write in comprehensible English”. Gateway would end up locked in the Box before he made it to the end of page one of his first thread. Iits a sad day when a troll lasts longer here than they would on the Giraffe boards… no offense intended, Giraffe. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/353 "2013-09-26T00:28:53Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > My theory is that mods enjoy keeping a handful of low-level trolls around. Keeps the regular upstanding members focused on a common enemy instead of turning on each other. Partly right, but it’s for amusement value, and it’s still temporary. “Let’s let the members kick him around for a while,” or something like that. I’d expect **Gateway** to be gone shortly, one way or another. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/354 "2013-09-26T00:48:54Z")
> [@Gateway](#): > > Well, thats cool. Come to my other threads. Its logical considering you seeming to completely dislike me. Well if you do keep it on topic. Or I will pollute YOUR threads If you are truly interested in making up for what you’ve done, here’s a hint. The members here LOVE creative fonts and unique font colors as well as lots of bold highlights. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/355 "2013-09-26T01:01:45Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > If you are truly interested in making up for what you’ve done, here’s a hint. > > The members here LOVE creative fonts and unique font colors as well as lots of bold highlights. Grape. We like grape. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/356 "2013-09-26T02:09:25Z")
Go for the trifecta, grape, comic sans, and textspeak! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/357 "2013-09-26T02:24:37Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Grape. We like grape. We love all the colors in the rainbow. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/358 "2013-09-26T02:26:15Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > If you are truly interested in making up for what you’ve done, here’s a hint. > > The members here LOVE creative fonts and unique font colors as well as lots of bold highlights. Evil. Pure evil. I like that in a poster. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/359 "2013-09-26T02:27:14Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Go for the trifecta, grape, comic sans, and textspeak! [Internet Meme]I’m in ur base graping ur D00Dz![/Internet Meme] ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/360 "2013-09-26T02:45:27Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > If you are truly interested in making up for what you’ve done, here’s a hint. > > The members here LOVE creative fonts and unique font colors as well as lots of bold highlights. And the more your posts can look like a 1995 Geocities page with revolving stars and rainbow fonts, the more seriously we’ll take your arguments. We won’t even notice your grammar’s wrong if it’s in TIMES ROMAN ALL [COLOR=“YellowGreen”]CA[/COLOR]PS. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899.md?page=19)