# Google Search Mod Orgy! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 9, 2003, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537 "2003-01-09T16:01:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**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:** [January 9, 2003, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/201 "2003-01-09T22:38:54Z")
I’ll just chime in again now and say that, although I consider myself a fairly experienced user of Google, there have been times when **DDG** has managed to trawl up relevant links that I simply couldn’t find, although I tried very hard indeed. There’s a bit more to it than simply typing words into a search engine; credit where credit is due. ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/202 "2003-01-09T22:39:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Duck Duck Goose \* > **You’re wrong–your spreading of misinformation, especially the misinformation you just spread in your last few posts, DOES cause physical harm to people–everyone reading your hamfisted attempts at proving me wrong has had to slap themselves in the forehead very hard, " :smack: " like that, "Oy, that Maeglin, why is he still here…"** Actually, the only threat of physical harm I see in this thread is all of those rolling eyes. Falling hazard, you know? ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/203 "2003-01-09T22:39:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Duck Duck Goose \* > \*\*Okay, then, Coldfire, fine–as long as we’re agreed that it’s “your” problem. \*\* _Think_ for one minute, will you? Do you honestly believe that I would have even posted about the lack of helpfulness of some of your posts in ATMB if it were my sole opinion? I’ve been a moderator here for over two years now. There’s plenty of posters who I would gladly tear a new one because I _personally_ think they’re idiots, or they’re disruptive, or they’re impairing the work of the staff to some degree. But you wouldn’t hear me say a word about it on the boards if my fellow moderators and administrators didn’t at least agree with me to some extent. We run this board on concencus, not on personal preferences. But sure, it’s “my” problem. Whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/204 "2003-01-09T22:52:06Z")
DDG, that full quote from APB reads: > [@](#): > > No, of course, Dr. Webb’s testimony doesn’t prove that the story is actually true, but what it does show is that (1) the story is widely known, at least in the UK, and (2) if it is a UL, it seems to be a UL which is being propagated by the BM’s own Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities. Not to put words in his mouth, but I interpret this as making a case, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that the testimony has validity. I’m saddened to see you go back there and only snip the portion that makes it look like he acquiesced. At best, he compromised. You make wonderful contributions, but you have let a little trouble accepting criticism snowball into a spectacle of the first magnitude. If you will take some well intentioned advice, step back and cool off until you can look the criticism more objectively. ---
**Author:** ![CRorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CRorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CRorex)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/205 "2003-01-09T23:00:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Squink \* > \*\*Couldn’t make the grade, so you carp from the sidelines ? I’m not impressed. You’ve shown us above that you can do **crappy** research via the internet. Can you provide any evidence that you personally are capable of ferreting out the useful bits from the great wash of noise ? Your single GQ post in the past year["Sorry for ressurecting this but…"](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=60812&perpage=50&pagenumber=2) regales us with the factoid that Cambridge Geological Museum has a spider that’s 3.5 feet long. Duck Duck Goose was kind enough to supply the rest of us with actual details (50 cm not 3.5 feet) about the beast. Too bad you couldn’t have done that. It would have saved DDG some time, and shown at least _some_ research ability on your part. \*\* No, feel perfectly free to use whatever you wish to. I don’t give a damn. Unfortunatly Squink, that wasn’t researched. That bit of information was told to me by the tour guide I was with at the time. Which I then repeated. Something I do believe I made quite clear in what I said. Anyway, the fossils in question ARE different. The one I was shown has a much more elongated body. And maybe 2cm of leg join extending from the body. God forbid that I waste some of DDG’s precious time sharing my STORY with the rest of the class. As for the rest of your comments 😃 I happened to have written a rather acceptable paper (at least to my thesis committe for my BA) on deregulation of DNA repair mechanism and somatic hyper mutation. I’ve contributed to one currently published paper in a highly respectable journal, and will most likely have 2 to 4 more comming up this year–hopefully at least one will have my listed as first of second author. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/206 "2003-01-09T23:00:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tomndebb \* > \*\*That said, **DDG** , please consider this. There is no one on this MB who does not irritate _someone_. (Possibly excepting **Polycarp** –and certainly _not_ excepting **Cecil**.) \*\* Not even **Poly** is excepted. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/207 "2003-01-09T23:02:38Z")
Quick note in re: the last cite about the British Museum. It is obvious that proving or disproving possible urban legends is very difficult. DDG answered authoritatively, yet evidence (whose veracity is actually irrelevant) arose that could dispute such authority. A crude example: OP: Does gravity exist? DDG: No, it’s an urban legend. Poster: Well, if you drop this apple… DDG: I’m skeptical, _I_ wasn’t there when the universe was created. Poster: Well, um, I guess the apple doesn’t really prove anything then. I’m sorry if you feel that I quoted passages out of context. I admit, I skimmed the thread, as time is short and the thread was fairly convoluted. Though I never entered it into “evidence” in the first place, I would be happy to retract it without prejudice. **minty** , I have never claimed that DDG was a knuckledragging moron, even if her personal attacks against me are rather baroque. I don’t think she has left in the bowels of GQ some smoking gun, some torrid post in which she prescribes advice that resulted in a doper maiming himself. Consequently when she messes up something here or there, she does _not_ get pitted for it. I’ve only lost my temper with her in GD, not GQ. What I object to, like I have said several times, is the “no expertise, just google” school of answering questions. If it’s for a trivial factoid, great. She’s willing to do the work, she often gets it right, congratulations. But for more difficult questions, it’s a gamble. If a poster follows her advice, _he_ assumes the risk, not she. If it’s right, wonderful. If not, moral hazard alert. I suppose it comes down to preference after all. Evidently you don’t think the cites I found in just a few minutes of searching are worth anything. That’s your prerogative. To me, they are a very vaguely disturbing trend. If I found a few dubious cites on the _first page_ of every combination of search terms, who knows what I would find if I had more time to review? And I guess I just instinctively draw the line when it comes to medical advice in _all forms_ posted on a public message board, even if it’s “take asprin for a light headache.” You think it’s “weak,” I think it’s irresponsible. I’ll be damned if I would give anyone legal advice, even if I had ironclad “proof” from google. It’s a little dangerous and professionally insulting. I’m a little sorry **DDG** thinks I am pathetic. She can insult “who I am” or my “wanking” habits until the cows come home, really. The truth is, I almost feel guilty that I can live with myself pretty easily despite it all, and that she, if her posts are evidence of anything, is having a tougher time of it. Fight the good fight, **DDG**. But please don’t answer any of my queries, if you ever would after this exchange, if your only ally is google. Please take me at my word, I am not being sarcastic or patronizing. It’s time for me to go home. I would be happy to respond in further detail tomorrow, if this thread is still open. I don’t think I will be able to get back to it tonight. ---
**Author:** ![minty\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/208 "2003-01-09T23:18:47Z")
Maeglin, I’m still seeing no “advice” that is any more inappropriate than “You can get hurt if you take a walk in the middle of the highway.” Her response to the salt/water inquiry was perfectly accurate. Nevertheless, I think I’m going to bow out of this thing. I have no desire to be an asshole to people on the other side of this issue who I generally like and respect, including you. I think we’ve both made our points here, eh? 🙂 Plus, I’m kind of disturbed by a number of her other comments here. Take a couple deep breaths here, Ducky. Like you say, it’s not worth it. And **Coldfire** , do emails from secret supporters count if they’re from moderators? 😉 Seriously, unless you mean to come down with the weight of the whole administration on the ATMB/FAQ thing, can we just let the other mods you’ve discussed it with speak for themselves? Chilling effect, bro. 🙂 Especially since (a) more than a few non-mods answer rules questions when they arise, apparently without warning, and (b) once or twice, I’ve seen mods (I recall Gaudere in particular) say that the staff generally apprectiate it when the Dopers help police themselves. (And that is not to say that DDG still didn’t go overboard in response to your comments. Like I said, deep breaths.) ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/209 "2003-01-09T23:21:36Z")
**jarbabyj** , thank you for validating my own feelings about **Duck Duck Goose** ’s behavior, I think you were spot on with your criticisms of her. Google has a wealth of information, but all of the information is not on Google, and I think **DDG** has a tendency to think that if the info isn’t on Google, it doesn’t exist, which is a very near sighted way of thinking to say the least. **Duck Duck Goose** , for the last time, You’re not a moderator! ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/210 "2003-01-09T23:31:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by minty green \* > **Seriously, unless you mean to come down with the weight of the whole administration on the ATMB/FAQ thing, can we just let the other mods you’ve discussed it with speak for themselves? Chilling effect, bro. 🙂 Especially since (a) more than a few non-mods answer rules questions when they arise, apparently without warning, and (b) once or twice, I’ve seen mods (I recall Gaudere in particular) say that the staff generally apprectiate it when the Dopers help police themselves.** Other mods may or may not chime in here, I don’t know. I mentioned that I am not the only staff member who’s occasionally annoyed by DDG’s posts in ATMB not to scare her off or give credence to my words, but to diffuse DDG’s persistant idea that this was “my” problem with her. If it was, I would not have posted in this thread - that’s all I’m trying to bring across. Nowhere in this thread have I warned DDG, restricted her, punished her. I was honestly hoping that some subtle advice might prevent a potential nasty situation further down the line. Now, just how good I am at subtle advice, I’ll leave for you to decide. Evidently, I suck at it. Furthermore, YES, non-moderators can answer questions in ATMB and we DO appreciate the Dopers policing themselves when it comes to straightforward matters. My advice strictly refers to situations where the answers aren’t so clear-cut. ---
**Author:** ![CRorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CRorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CRorex)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/211 "2003-01-09T23:32:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by minty green \* > \*\*If that was all you were doing, then I apologize for the snotty reply. In context, agreeing with **hardy** came off as a slam against DDG and her considerable research skills, which go far beyond simple regurgitation. \*\* Bah you don’t need to apologize. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/212 "2003-01-09T23:51:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by EasyPhil \* > \*\* > **Duck Duck Goose** , for the last time, You’re not a moderator! \*\* I think this has been addressed. Wake the fuck up. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/213 "2003-01-10T00:23:12Z")
Imagine there’s no flaming It’s easy if you try No overreactions And everyone has pie Imagine all the posters Living for today… Imagine there’s no snarkiness It isn’t hard to do Nothing to insult or bitch for And no FOTH too Imagine all the poster Living life in peace… You may say I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one I hope someday you’ll join us And the SDMB will be as one [sub]So lets all just knock this off and have a group hug. I’ve got a decade plus of peace songs to go through, and nobody wants me to continue. Make nice or else[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![imthjckaz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/imthjckaz/32/3223_2.png) [@imthjckaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imthjckaz)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/214 "2003-01-10T00:24:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\*\*Originally posted by beagledave \*\*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by imthjckaz \* > > It can only help. > > > > Not only will his arm get stronger, but, in time, he will forget that he was even injured. Also the hair on his palm will help him develope a new pitch, thus making him a better pitcher than he was before the injury. > > \*\*Well fine…hairy palms equals new pitch. Don’t you think that impending **blindness** might negate the efficacy of the newly aquired pitch? > > I wonder if you really have thought this through, my friend. \*\* While it is true that the impending blindness will eventually shorten the career of the pitcher, the blindness does prepare him for his next vocation, as a Major League Umpire. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/215 "2003-01-10T00:24:52Z")
But… but… I want my FOTH damn it! ---
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/216 "2003-01-10T00:33:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by light strand \* > \*\*Xploder, I know that you’ve been around here long enough to know that \>99% of pit threads are popularity contests. That’s why there are so many against newbies, december, and anyone else with unpopular or overly zealous stances. They’re easy targets. Folks post here for validation. \*\* Of **course** people post here for validation. **BUT** , saying that greater than 99% of pit threads are nothing more than popularity contests is a blatant falsehood. Granted, I don’t post on a regular basis but I defy you to find something newer than, oh say, whn I posted about my daughters in MPSIMS ages ago about their hair dying experiences that **was** a popularity contest. Also, I absolutely **know** that you weren’t talking about me per se that was doing so but take a look at the page of pit threads and explain to me how even 75% were and/or are popularity contests. I, for one, could be considered an easy target with no problem. I happen to agree with quite a few of the more militant posters here no matter if they’re on the left or the right. Does that mean yer gonna pit me? I, for one, do **not** post here for validation. Even though I agree with you that a lot of people do so, my life is already validated. I don’t need validation from a fucking message board. I get it every single day of my life from my wife and kids. The people that actually **need** validation from posting here seriously should consider getting some mental help as they are **not** in touch with the real world. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/217 "2003-01-10T00:50:25Z")
There are those, **Xploder** , who view this _as_ the real world. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/218 "2003-01-10T00:54:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Coldfire \* > \*\*Other mods may or may not chime in here, I don’t know. I mentioned that I am not the only staff member who’s occasionally annoyed by DDG’s posts in ATMB not to scare her off or give credence to my words, but to diffuse DDG’s persistant idea that this was “my” problem with her. If it was, I would not have posted in this thread - that’s all I’m trying to bring across. > > Nowhere in this thread have I warned DDG, restricted her, punished her. I was honestly hoping that some subtle advice might prevent a potential nasty situation further down the line. Now, just how good I am at subtle advice, I’ll leave for you to decide. Evidently, I suck at it. > > Furthermore, YES, non-moderators can answer questions in ATMB and we DO appreciate the Dopers policing themselves when it comes to straightforward matters. My advice strictly refers to situations where the answers aren’t so clear-cut. \*\* Yep, gotta say that **Coldfire’s** advice is solid. We really DON’T like people trying to be junior mods in threads. If you see a thread or post that is out of line, the “report” button is available and free to use. And I’d like to note that I really appreciated all the folks who reported trolls, instead of feeding them, in recent threads. Lynn Cecil’s own Angel of Death ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/219 "2003-01-10T00:59:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by minty green \* > \*\* > Allow me to repeat myself: Unless her answers are wrong, you have no reasonable complaint that she posts those answers. None at all. \*\* And to add to and expand upon that, I think of her as almost a research librarian: she may Google, but she knows what keywords to use (not hard, true) but she also sorts and summarizes the data. Compare her posts **Handy** ’s who often doesn’t even read the actual thread before popping in with the first hit Google gives, relevant or not. I appreciate the time and energy she puts into her summaries and links and I’m quite happy when **DDG** posts in my (fairly rare) GQ threads. Fenris ---
**Author:** ![hardygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@hardygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hardygrrl)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537/220 "2003-01-10T01:00:05Z")
Dang it **Lynn** and **Coldie** , it’s not Junior Mod. It’s Junior Mod _Camper_. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-search-mod-orgy/147537.md?page=12)