# Good decisions can come from bad decisions **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 23, 2014, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828 "2014-07-23T08:22:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/1 "2014-07-23T08:22:00Z")
While waiting for my doctor’s appointment I was reading The Reader’s Digest. Within its pages it said good decisions come from experience and experience comes from bad decisions. My last thread was closed by a moderator: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17569756&postcount=64](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17569756&postcount=64) Though she suggested I not post personal threads for a while she also criticized people who chastized me for posting at all. People often bring up things I’ve said in the past and assume I’m still the same now. But I’ve learnt from many of my mistakes. Like this thread topic is about, good decisions can come from bad decisions. Most people probably make most of their mistakes when they’re young… but remember that I was only 28 when I romantically held a girl’s hand for the first time or went on a date. She is now my wife. BTW today at the doctor he was concerned that I seemed agitated. Instead of waiting 4 weeks for the next appointment he scheduled another appointment in a fortnight. I had talked about the messageboards. He said to watch out for trolls and I said that lots of people thought I was a troll. My wife asked me about what I talked about. I said it was mainly about work (it partly was). Then I said it was partly about her wanting a baby. I said he asked about why I didn’t want a baby. She said that that was because it wasn’t normal to not want a baby. So anyway I’m still making and learning from mistakes. I don’t need to be reminded of my past mistakes as often as I am. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/2 "2014-07-23T08:33:09Z")
**JohnClay** , please go away. Go away from this MB because your reputation precedes you, regardless of the content of your OP’s. Just a bit of friendly advice mate! ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/3 "2014-07-23T08:38:53Z")
Like the moderator said: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17569756&postcount=64](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17569756&postcount=64) > [@](#): > > Everyone who is annoyed by his existence is welcome to either not post in his threads or pit him, whatever is your preference. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/4 "2014-07-23T08:47:23Z")
Hmmmm… maybe if I had another username and didn’t talk about my life too deeply that would solve that problem but maybe that is against the rules. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/5 "2014-07-23T08:56:09Z")
Just talk about other stuff, in other threads. It’s not healthy or normal for all of anyone’s threads to be so selfcentric. Just engage in other discussions, and maybe all this shit will fade into history. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/6 "2014-07-23T09:03:19Z")
I’ve posted threads that aren’t about myself… e.g. Angel teleportation traffic cam video saving a guy? (well it is related to my sister) > **[Angel teleportation traffic cam video saving a guy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=727171)** > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqjTH1lSc5M dewhicular - “It was a promo for a movie overseas.” tariq Ramadan - “It was later explained…it’s promotion for a Japanese video game…some superhero dragon lady character” BTW when the weird stuff is... Possible benefit for long head hair on humans? > **[Possible benefit for long head hair on humans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=725399)** > > I was under the impression that things evolved for a reason - that they are of some benefit… or else they’re things that used to be of some benefit (vestigial organs/body parts). But what about long hair? Why do all humans have it? If it is so... PS3/Xbox One vs. previous generation consoles… > **[PS3/Xbox One vs. previous generation consoles...](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=725388)** > > Hi a lot of games are now being released simultaneously for PS3, PS4, XBox 360 and XBox One. I was wondering what the difference is between the next gen and previous gen consoles… are the models and textures just more detailed? I guess you might only... How to make crunchy and soft roast potatoes/pumpkin? > **[How to make crunchy and soft roast potatoes/pumpkin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=725250)** > > I started them off at 350 degrees but they weren’t browning on the outside so I turned it up to 400. After maybe an hour they were very soft but not crispy at all. I want them to be fairly crunchy on the outside and very soft inside. I heard that... Six packs (stomach muscles) are weird > **[Six packs (stomach muscles) are weird](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=724665)** > > I wonder why six pack muscles are the way they are. They’re like little lumps. It doesn’t make sense. They look kind of sexy though. Even on girls: SQL query: MAX(CASE WHEN… > **[SQL query: MAX(CASE WHEN...](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=724547)** > > Hi I was wondering how the following SQL works: SELECT Users.id as id, Users.username as username, MAX(CASE WHEN Users\_meta.meta = 'first\_name' THEN Users\_meta.value ELSE NULL END) AS first\_name, MAX(CASE WHEN Users\_meta.meta = 'last\_name' THEN... Movies/TV about being last person alive on earth > **[Movies/TV about being last person alive on earth](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=723922)** > > I remember a twilight zone (or similar) episode where the guy wants to read all of the books but then he breaks his glasses. Futurama parodied it and his eyes fell out and his limbs fell off as well… If it was the twilight zone - is it here: ... So not **all** of my threads are so selfcentric. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/7 "2014-07-23T09:04:42Z")
BTW [Socrates - Wikiquote](http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Socrates) “An unexamined life is not worth living.” ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/8 "2014-07-23T09:06:31Z")
BTW I didn’t think very deeply at all about my life when I was younger. I was just thinking about other stuff like creationism, comics, computer games, etc. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/9 "2014-07-23T09:11:53Z")
BTW when people criticize me (like they do a lot) I can either ignore it or think about it… so I think people’s criticism is a lot of the cause of my introspection on the boards. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/10 "2014-07-23T09:54:15Z")
> [@JohnClay](#): > > I’ve posted threads that aren’t about myself… e.g. > > … > > So not **all** of my threads are so selfcentric. Fair enough. I guess the point is: people have noticed the ones that are - and it looks like they’ve had more than their fill of them, so maybe focus on the others. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/11 "2014-07-23T13:02:12Z")
> [@JohnClay](#): > > I’ve posted threads that aren’t about myself… e.g. > > Angel teleportation traffic cam video saving a guy? (well it is related to my sister) > [Angel teleportation traffic cam video saving a guy? - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=727171) > > Possible benefit for long head hair on humans? > [Possible benefit for long head hair on humans? - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=725399) > > PS3/Xbox One vs. previous generation consoles… > [PS3/Xbox One vs. previous generation consoles... - The Game Room - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=725388) > > How to make crunchy and soft roast potatoes/pumpkin? > [How to make crunchy and soft roast potatoes/pumpkin? - Cafe Society - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=725250) > > Six packs (stomach muscles) are weird > [Six packs (stomach muscles) are weird - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=724665) > > SQL query: MAX(CASE WHEN… > [SQL query: MAX(CASE WHEN... - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=724547) > > Movies/TV about being last person alive on earth > [Movies/TV about being last person alive on earth - Cafe Society - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=723922) > > So not **all** of my threads are so selfcentric. Compiling and posting a list of threads you started is still pretty self-obsessed. Just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/12 "2014-07-23T13:16:28Z")
[This feels relevant.](http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Calvin_Attention_1x3_8808.gif) ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/13 "2014-07-23T13:18:35Z")
Dude, consider a blog. Most of what you post is more appropriate for a blog than a message board. If your comeback is, “But I’m looking for a response…”, well, that’s kinda why you come off as trollish to everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/14 "2014-07-23T13:35:46Z")
> [@JohnClay](#): > > I’ve posted threads that aren’t about myself… e.g. Since you brought it up, I’ll point out that all but one of those threads were started during the time in which you were prohibited from discussing your relationship with your wife and similar topics. So it seems you _can_ post about other stuff, when explicitly told to do so. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/15 "2014-07-23T13:37:26Z")
> [@JohnClay](#): > > So anyway I’m still making and learning from mistakes. As we all are, hopefully. It’s a slow week when I don’t discover a new way to err. ---
**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:** [July 23, 2014, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/16 "2014-07-23T14:24:10Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > As we all are, hopefully. It’s a slow week when I don’t discover a new way to err. Remember that time you tried to drill a hole through your head? ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/17 "2014-07-23T14:28:23Z")
starting a blog is very good advice - you can talk about whatever you want, as often as you want, and people can comment if they feel like it. shoot, you can do both - blog and post here. maybe if you get a bunch of stuff out in your blog you can keep the stuff here down to…well, less. good luck with it, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/18 "2014-07-23T14:38:55Z")
> [@GrandWino](#): > > Remember that time you tried to drill a hole through your head? Hey, you were the one promoting the positive effects of trephination! ---
**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:** [July 23, 2014, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/19 "2014-07-23T15:30:52Z")
> [@JohnClay](#): > > I’ve posted threads that aren’t about myself… e.g. > > _snip_ > > So not **all** of my threads are so selfcentric. Do you ever post in threads you haven’t started? ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2014, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-decisions-can-come-from-bad-decisions/693828/20 "2014-07-23T15:34:03Z")
Okay, JohnClay, you’ve been talked about this and talked about this. Therefore, it’s the staffs decision that you are not allowed to make topics that are about any of the following anymore: Your wife, your personal relationships with others, sex, or sexuality. If you make any more threads relating to the above, they will be closed and you WILL be warned. Lastly, this > [@JohnClay](#): > > Hmmmm… maybe if I had another username and didn’t talk about my life too deeply that would solve that problem but maybe that is against the rules. …is against the rules. You make another account and any mod finds out about it and it’s an INSTAban, no questions asked. So unless you want to take a huge risk over it, I suggest you don’t do it if you wish to continue posting here. This topic is closed. If a mod closes a topic for a reason, you don’t go and open another and talk about the one that was just closed. Consider this your first warning for ignoring mod instruction. Like I said above, do not open another thread about those four things or you will get more, possibly.