# Gender, race, and other issues (split off from Doper Demographics thread) **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 7, 2022, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091 "2022-09-07T00:09:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2022, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/301 "2022-10-28T04:27:00Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > You wouldn’t want to let in the _wrong sort_ of (X), after all. Well, yes. Wait, was that supposed to be some kind of gotcha? We don’t have to tolerate people here who are racist or misogynist or antisemitic or homophobic or any of many other bigotries, just because they happen to be a minority. As you well know. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2022, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/302 "2022-10-28T05:00:11Z")
So, i agree with @DemonTree about this place having a lot of picky rules that can be off putting to new-comers. as a mod, i - lobbied to end the practice of closing zombie threads (you’re new here? You want to talk about that? Tough, we don’t.) The old software got bogged down, but that’s no longer a problem. - Lobbied to change the forum name to “factual questions” to decrease the number of misplaced first posts. - Try to sound welcoming when i move first posts (“welcome to the SDMB. I’ve moved your post to xyz, our forum for pdq, where it may get more replies. I hope you enjoy the forum.”) But i have zero interest in cutting people slack who dump on one minority group just because they might be in another minority group. This forum is a community, and as such we have common rules of civility that everyone needs to follow. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2022, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/303 "2022-10-28T06:35:43Z")
I appreciate your approach, and it sounds like you’ve addressed DemonTree’s biggest concerns. I’m sure she’ll be happy to participate now. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2022, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/304 "2022-10-28T19:59:19Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > You’re trying to set up a false dichotomy between that and chaos. That’s ridiculous. Every **functioning** online community has enforced rules. Name one that doesn’t. Of course they do. But too many rules do get in the way. I doubt if @DemonTree was trying to suggest no rules at all. Mind you, the rules here are not too bad, but some few are/were a bit arcane, such as Zombie posts. Mind you the new poster would not be warned, but their first post would be the opposite of welcoming. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2022, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/305 "2022-10-28T20:04:19Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Mind you, the rules here are not too bad, but some few are/were a bit arcane, such as Zombie posts. Mind you the new poster would not be warned, but their first post would be the opposite of welcoming. But if his point was that we are too stiff to change archaic rules, he totally blew it with that example. I think this message board must be doing _something_ right-What percentage of message boards that started before the turn of the century are still active? ---
**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:** [October 28, 2022, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/306 "2022-10-28T20:50:12Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I doubt if @DemonTree was trying to suggest no rules at all. No, just the removal of one rule in particular. Then everything’ll be peachy. ---
**Author:** ![DemonTree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demontree/32/8646_2.png) [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2022, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/307 "2022-10-28T21:42:03Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > - lobbied to end the practice of closing zombie threads (you’re new here? You want to talk about that? Tough, we don’t.) The old software got bogged down, but that’s no longer a problem. > - Lobbied to change the forum name to “factual questions” to decrease the number of misplaced first posts. > - Try to sound welcoming when i move first posts (“welcome to the SDMB. I’ve moved your post to xyz, our forum for pdq, where it may get more replies. I hope you enjoy the forum.”) Those are all good changes. And I want to say I didn’t intend to blame the mods for sounding unwelcoming, There may well be no solution, I just think it’s not the most welcoming feeling being immediately informed that you did something wrong. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > But i have zero interest in cutting people slack who dump on one minority group just because they might be in another minority group. This forum is a community, and as such we have common rules of civility that everyone needs to follow. I’ve come around to the idea that however it started, this forum is now aimed at a specific demographic, one that is pretty averse to change, and you’re better off trying to cater to that demographic than become something else. It’s just tiresome seeing white men get all the blame for faults that are demonstrably universal. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2022, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/308 "2022-10-28T21:54:25Z")
Not half as tiresome as the “They do it _tooooo!_” excuse, usually trotted out without any specific examples. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2022, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/309 "2022-10-28T22:06:31Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > this forum is now aimed at a specific demographic, one that is pretty averse to change I don’t think so. I’ve seen quite a lot of change since I’ve been here, and most of the community has embraced that. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2022, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/310 "2022-10-28T22:12:58Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > It’s just tiresome seeing white men get all the blame for faults that are demonstrably universal. It would be, if it were happening. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > > [@DemonTree](#): > > > > this forum is now aimed at a specific demographic, one that is pretty averse to change > > I don’t think so. I’ve seen quite a lot of change since I’ve been here, and most of the community has embraced that. Message boards, including this one, have caused me to change some of my opinions. That’s one of the reasons I like them. ---
**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 28, 2022, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/311 "2022-10-28T22:32:45Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > It’s just tiresome seeing white men get all the blame for faults that are demonstrably universal. 😉 Winky smile! Hurk hurk! You left the board because it’s intolerant of transphobia. You’ve maintained the pretense that you left because the main group opposing your transphobic posts is white dudes and that it’s an opposition rooted in sexism. It’s the same venomous nonsense. You haven’t changed the tune one note. I’d much rather talk with fewer people, none of whom posted transphobic venom, than more people, some of whom did. ---
**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:** [October 28, 2022, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/312 "2022-10-28T23:34:27Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Message boards, including this one, have caused me to change some of my opinions. That’s one of the reasons I like them. Same here. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2022, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/313 "2022-10-28T23:36:05Z")
And I have gotten Good advice here! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2022, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/314 "2022-10-29T00:19:20Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > No, just the removal of one rule in particular. Then everything’ll be peachy. Which was?? ---
**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 29, 2022, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/315 "2022-10-29T00:26:24Z")
The rule against spraying transphobia all over the boards. ---
**Author:** ![DemonTree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demontree/32/8646_2.png) [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2022, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/316 "2022-10-29T00:32:51Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > It would be, if it were happening. > [@madmonk28](#): > > ETA I think it’s more accurate to say that we started here as younger white men and over the past twenty years we hounded out all the women and people of color and now we’re old white men. > [@madmonk28](#): > > Now, what we have is a safe space for old white people, mostly men. > [@What\_Exit](#): > > I would like to think the environment is changing here. I think we’re making it more welcoming for not just old white men. In fact if you talk to a lot of old white men, suppressing their “rights” to make misogynistic posts, rape jokes, trans hate and the like means we are not a safe space for quite a few old white men anymore. > [@madmonk28](#): > > I would guess that a lot of what white men saw as harmless fun, they saw as hostile and unpleasant. > [@madmonk28](#): > > the problem here is that it is dominated by old white men who are disinclined to see things from outside their perspective. > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Speaking as somebody who has been part of this board since it started and who is an old white man, I was oblivious to how narrow our demographic has become. Which is an indication of the problem. You get comfortable in a place and you assume everyone else is as comfortable as you are. But in retrospect, I should have been worried about the lack of stress and challenge I’ve experienced. And now I see a lot of it in this thread was just one poster! But it’s hardly limited to here and now. > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Message boards, including this one, have caused me to change some of my opinions. That’s one of the reasons I like them. Me too. Posting here changed my opinions _considerably_. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2022, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/317 "2022-10-29T01:17:16Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > Posting here changed my opinions _considerably_. I can’t really say I have seen your positions change over the years-enlighten me, please. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2022, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/318 "2022-10-29T01:45:05Z")
Changing for the worse is a change. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2022, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/319 "2022-10-29T03:07:17Z")
@DemonTree: none of those quotes read to me as “white men get[ting] all the blame for faults that are demonstrably universal”. ---
**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:** [October 29, 2022, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091/320 "2022-10-29T03:31:02Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > And now I see a lot of it in this thread was just one poster! But it’s hardly limited to here and now. What is the “it” you’re seeing a lot of? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-race-and-other-issues-split-off-from-doper-demographics-thread/971091.md?page=17)