# elucidator **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 28, 2005, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230 "2005-10-28T00:41:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/101 "2005-10-31T01:57:15Z")
> [@rayh](#): > > NOT THE ONE > by Al Stewart **rayh** , do not post complete copyrighted song lyrics as this is a rule violation. Small snippets or quotes are acceptable. Do not do this again. **fluiddruid** Pit Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/102 "2005-10-31T02:16:59Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > not _one_ instance of elucidator conceding error can be found. [Oh dear](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=6689580&highlight=point#post6689580) ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Loblaw\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@Bob\_Loblaw\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Loblaw_1)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/103 "2005-10-31T02:19:10Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Um… My comment concerning my own razor-sharp intellect was sarcastic, genius, not literal. Wow your sarcastic genius is not literal. I never would have guessed. Care to point a guest to a thread where he should have changed his mind? Or where you did? I don’t see what is wrong with someone sticking to their guns if they sincerely believe they are correct. Nor is it wrong to change a position. The OP just seems to be unhappy that Elucidator throws his two cents into threads in the great debate forum, and that his opinions are, horror of horrors, liberal. Well there are private chat rooms, the free republic and other places for people of the right who can’t tolerate opposing viewpoints. Most message boards also have an ignore function. It seems universally conceded in this thread that Elucidator is a good writer, many suggesting that he is witty and amusing. Isn’t such a thing always welcome? Or are we now in a world of McCarthyism where Ann Coulterites have to decry every liberal outburst as unwelcome? Well, fuck the OP, and fuck that attitude. We’re here, some of us are queer, but we’re liberals and get used to it. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/104 "2005-10-31T02:36:19Z")
> [@Bob Loblaw](#): > > Wow your sarcastic genius is not literal. I never would have guessed. Care to point a guest to a thread where he should have changed his mind? Or where you did? It’s much easier to remember my own epiphanies. No link, but there was a well-remembered thread about gay marriage. Prior to that thread, I opposed it. After an eight page discussion, I conceded my opposition was wrong. And I now support same-sex marriage. The other request is misplaced - I’m pointing out that no thread has **elucidator** conceding. How can I link to “no thread?” [Here.](http://boards.straightdope.com) There’s a link to no thread conceded. > [@](#): > > I don’t see what is wrong with someone sticking to their guns if they sincerely believe they are correct. Nor is it wrong to change a position. Sure. It’s just remarkable, as I said, that in years of participation with lots of smart people, and in many heated disagreements, not once has **elucidator** found himself in a position to admit error. That suggests either **luci** ’s brilliance is unsurpassed, or that he’s unwilling to concede error even when faced with compelling evidence. > [@](#): > > The OP just seems to be unhappy that Elucidator throws his two cents into threads in the great debate forum, and that his opinions are, horror of horrors, liberal. If that’s the OP’s position, then it’s indeed a poor basis for complaint. > [@](#): > > It seems universally conceded in this thread that Elucidator is a good writer, many suggesting that he is witty and amusing. Isn’t such a thing always welcome? Or are we now in a world of McCarthyism where Ann Coulterites have to decry every liberal outburst as unwelcome? False dilemma. He is a good writer, he is witty, and he’s damn sharp as well. That doesn’t mean that he’s beyond critique. And the only critique I have of him is that he doesn’t concede error even when he’s bested. Other than that, he’s an asset to the board. And, I might add, he’s worth about fifty of you. > [@](#): > > Well, fuck the OP, and fuck that attitude. We’re here, some of us are queer, but we’re liberals and get used to it. Yeah. Screw The Man! The suppression of liberal viewpoints on this board is at an end!!! ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/105 "2005-10-31T03:00:28Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Sure. It’s just remarkable, as I said, that in years of participation with lots of smart people, and in many heated disagreements, not once has **elucidator** found himself in a position to admit error. That suggests either **luci** ’s brilliance is unsurpassed, or that he’s unwilling to concede error even when faced with compelling evidence. Well my friend, since you bring up superior and brilliant intellects, I suppose it should be mentioned that there was this one time, after about fifteen pages of debate when Elucidator did concede. It was concerning the whole Harkens insider trading issue and the Harvard endowment. What he said was, IIRC, “when you’re right, you’re right.” ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/106 "2005-10-31T03:03:51Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > And, I might add, he’s worth about fifty of you. Rarely do I agree with you, **Bricker** , but on this point you are entirely correct. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/107 "2005-10-31T03:04:53Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > The suppression of liberal viewpoints on this board is at an end!!! All right! It’s about time! To begin with, I have this Little Red Book… ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/108 "2005-10-31T03:08:49Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > Well my friend, since you bring up superior and brilliant intellects, I suppose it should be mentioned that there was this one time, after about fifteen pages of debate when Elucidator did concede. > > It was concerning the whole Harkens insider trading issue and the Harvard endowment. What he said was, IIRC, “when you’re right, you’re right.” Really? Well, not exactly an unambiguous concession, but I must admit that I’d missed that event. So in the spirit of concession: when you’re wrong, you’re wong. Right? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/109 "2005-10-31T03:14:11Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > So in the spirit of concession: when you’re wrong, you’re **wong**. Right? [Right!](http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewarticle.asp?AuthorID=11777&id=11926) ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/110 "2005-10-31T03:18:07Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > And to offer up an example of people who have had their minds changed – **Left Hand of Dorkness** , a liberal, and me, a conservative, have both admitted being on the wrong side of arguments and swayed by the presentation of the opposition in the past. I sincerely appreciate the compliment, but I’ve actually had this nagging feeling that I’ve not admitted to being wrong on political points on this board (although on many issues, e.g., gun rights, I’ve been swayed into no longer taking a position). If you remember a time when I’ve changed my mind–and I know this sounds like a bizarre request, but I’m serious–I’d be interested in knowing when it was. It’d make me eel better :). Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Loblaw\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@Bob\_Loblaw\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Loblaw_1)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/111 "2005-10-31T03:37:47Z")
What I asked for was a thread where he should have conceded. But that is now a moot point, as there are two threads where he admitted he was mistaken. Now just for the record, Bricker, are you saying he is worth 50 of me as a human being, or his arguing ability, or both? If you are going to insult me, make it clear. Elucidate on that point. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/112 "2005-10-31T03:40:31Z")
> [@Bob Loblaw](#): > > Now just for the record, Bricker, are you saying he is worth 50 of me as a human being, or his arguing ability, or both? If you are going to insult me, make it clear. Elucidate on that point. **Bob** , if I might say, your tone on the boards so far has not impressed me at all. You’ve not demonstrated much willingness to listen to what other folks say, to take their words under advisement, even when they clearly know more on a subject than you do. If you decide to stick around here with that attitude, you’re going to find your own credibility shot to hell: when you don’t listen to others, you’ll find that others don’t much listen to you. It’s possible to recover from that, but it’s far easier to start off taking a thoughtful attitude in which you pay attention to what other folks say. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/113 "2005-10-31T03:54:12Z")
> [@Bob Loblaw](#): > > Now just for the record, Bricker, are you saying he is worth 50 of me as a human being, or his arguing ability, or both? If you are going to insult me, make it clear. Elucidate on that point. I misspoke. If a poster’s overall contribution to the SDMB can be expressed in SDMB Value Points, he’s worth 72. You’re worth 0.6. So he’s actually worth about 120 of you. ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Loblaw\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@Bob\_Loblaw\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Loblaw_1)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/114 "2005-10-31T03:54:18Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > **Bob** , if I might say, your tone on the boards so far has not impressed me at all. You’ve not demonstrated much willingness to listen to what other folks say, to take their words under advisement, even when they clearly know more on a subject than you do. > > If you decide to stick around here with that attitude, you’re going to find your own credibility shot to hell: when you don’t listen to others, you’ll find that others don’t much listen to you. It’s possible to recover from that, but it’s far easier to start off taking a thoughtful attitude in which you pay attention to what other folks say. > > Daniel Thank you for your concern. I don’t give a damn what weasels and hypocrits think about me. I’ve got another 4 days, and then I’m getting back to work. People are entitled to their own opinions, mine is stated in the New Republican Hypocrisy thread. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/115 "2005-10-31T03:57:34Z")
> [@Bob Loblaw](#): > > Thank you for your concern. I don’t give a damn what weasels and hypocrits think about me. I’ve got another 4 days, and then I’m getting back to work. I’ll mark my calendar. ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Loblaw\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@Bob\_Loblaw\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Loblaw_1)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/116 "2005-10-31T04:10:17Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I misspoke. If a poster’s overall contribution to the SDMB can be expressed in SDMB Value Points, he’s worth 72. You’re worth 0.6. So he’s actually worth about 120 of you. Wow, a whole 0.6? I think you’re just making it up as you go along. Do you think you can support a whole 0.6. Oh, and don’t be bashful, as I’d like to see if you have the guts to measure yourself against Elucidator, seein’ as he’s your butty and all. And we want to see the extent of your modesty. C’mon, rate yourself, have your friends rate you. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/117 "2005-10-31T04:14:51Z")
> [@Bob Loblaw](#): > > Wow, a whole 0.6? I think you’re just making it up as you go along. Do you think you can support a whole 0.6. Oh, and don’t be bashful, as I’d like to see if you have the guts to measure yourself against Elucidator, seein’ as he’s your butty and all. And we want to see the extent of your modesty. C’mon, rate yourself, have your friends rate you. I rank both **elucidator** and **Bricker** in the top 1% of posters here. I enjoy reading both of them and I learn from both of them. If either of them should choose to leave the board, I would miss them. Nobody will miss you when you’re gone. ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Loblaw\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@Bob\_Loblaw\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Loblaw_1)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/118 "2005-10-31T04:25:32Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > I rank both **elucidator** and **Bricker** in the top 1% of posters here. I enjoy reading both of them and I learn from both of them. If either of them should choose to leave the board, I would miss them. > > Nobody will miss you when you’re gone. So the OP is basically full of shit, Pitting a poster in the top 1 percent? Is that what you’re saying? Or is your bitterness about 'lil ol me skewing your judgment? ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/119 "2005-10-31T04:30:34Z")
4 days and counting… ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230/120 "2005-10-31T04:34:39Z")
> [@Bob Loblaw](#): > > So the OP is basically full of shit, Pitting a poster in the top 1 percent? Obviously the OP disagrees with me. Equally obviously, the OP is not widely agreed with. At least, this thread shows no danger of turning into the longest pitting of a poster ever. Both of the posters I mentioned are divisive. Both hold strong political convictions and are not shy about holding forth. I only agree with one of them, but that doesn’t stop me from appreciating both of them. Their posts are strong, forthright, meaty, and palpably honest. Your posts, on the other hand, are the message board equivalent of cotton candy: large and billowing, but in the end, nothing more than a little sugar on cardboard. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elucidator/328230.md?page=7)