Have we run out of stuff to talk about?

The BBQ Pit
1

Not long ago Euty posted this: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=55115
Talking about posting drivel for that sake of posting.
Since then, there has been no noticible decline in the number of stupid post count parties. Happy 100th???
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=55651 and http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=55526 Puh-leeeeze! Handy posts a hundred times before he takes his morning dump for christsakes!

Other popular themes:
Welcome another friend
Sequential threads/thread killers etc
and about SIXTEEN dopefest threads!!! I am happy for all of you , really I am. But dont you have a mailing list or something by now?? Do you post these threads to get more people to go? Or to show off how many you can get?
Its probable I am just jealous - as I live in the middle of bumfuck-Nowhere but enough already! I get it: you all get together and I dont. Gotcha.

And does every person who comes here now bring like 50 friends or what?? We could have a whole forum just for one batch of kids in high school - the SAME school!

Every second thread seem to be about welcoming another friend of a friend to the board.

I would try and come up with an interesting thread, but I am dry as a bone - I got nothing. Even if I did, it would disappear in a few minutes with new threads.

Sigh.

Nevermind me. I am just in a funk.

I remember a time when we had about 2 high school regs posting, and we remarked how mature they were and what a great contribution to the board.
Now I feel like an old woman surrounded by kids I dont know. I couldnt possibly know them, as they are flowing in in fast, and I cant tell who is who.

Is it just me?

Does anyone else scroll through MPSIMS and go : “Who are these people?”

Where are all the old regs?

Are we dinosaurs now?

**I am not saying I dont like the kids who have come and joined… I just miss the other grownups :frowning:

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I empathize, especially about the dopefest threads. They have the horrible property of being very interesting (and generating a lot of posts) to those in the relevant geographic area. So they get bumped up constantly, even though they are completely worthless to everyone else on the board. In the last day view of MPSIMS, there are at least 18 threads of this sort!

Other threads that seem like they’re living forever and just taking up space on the front page:
Iron Chef comes to SDMB
Ultimate Rochambo Fighter Arena

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Hi kelli!

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Yes, they are worthless to the rets of the board, but important to the people located around the area. There’s plenty newbies running around trying to get settled in and just want to meet in person those who they are meeting for the first time online, picking on them is hardly gonna make things with them better.
Yes, one of those 100th posts threads belongs to me, sue me. I am excited about the whole SDMB. I’d like to celebrate. I’d like to think that there is a future for me here.

Newbies are fragile. They sometimes get pounded by people they don’t know and run away from the SDMB altogether scared or attack stupidly with immature remarks. Bear with us, the SDMB is always growing, a “welcome thread” could be inspiring to those newbies, it makes them felt welcomed, it makes the happy. I’ve been here no more than 30 days but I would like to believe that I have contributed a good debate or two in GD, or have brought a smile to someones face.
Face it, newbies need time to grow. I’m sure it was not that long ago when you were new to this and everything seemed scary and critical of you. Newbies grow into good dopers. Give them time, let them learn the ropes. Granted, page space could be better used, but life is trial and error. [Redoundant Statement]Once they learn the ways or have someone who would be gracious enough to teach them the ways, the should stay out of the way.[/Redoundant Statement]

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I’m with you, until you started dissing the Ultimate Rochambo Fighting arena, probably the best OP I’ve ever read. Several newbies have contributed admirably.

I think everyone knows how I feel about post parties and virtual marriages. And do we REALLY need to continually “push the envelope” of what constitutes “mundane and pointless”?

Oh, and since we’re on the subject of annoying posts:

DRY and Medea’s Child, we get that you are fond of one another. Please, please, please, start more threads so we can read more about your undying affections. I want more bad poetry, more Shakespeare references, more dragging each other’s names into every thread. Please continue to devote your sigs to one another and DRY’s bizarre little harem. We never get tired of reading about Diane’s erotic dream from 6 months ago!

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Just because you ran out of stuff, don’t blaim other people’s interests. You’ve started some of the lamest threads, you know. Why not take a week off and do the people who like the current threads a favor.

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kelli I have to disagree. While there may be some posts that seem unimportant to you, they serve a purpose. You oldies know each other, you have your online relationships, ect. There are posts I don’t see a point in, and I ignore them. Its hard to get recognized by the “regulars” here when your new. Until today, I just kept my posts to MPSIMS or IMHO because those are the easiest ones to respond to. Its much easier to talk to strangers when your buying make believe drinks, or talking about your favorite sig, or something like that. This isn’t a flame towards you kelli, just try and remember you too were once new here.

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Ultimately it’s about volume and what the board can stand. If we all have fucking stupid little threads that are ever so cutesy and entertaining for our little group of friends, then we put strain on the board. there’s room for some silly social stuff but IMO it’s getting out of hand. If we had limitless server resources, then fair enough. But we don’t.

If people would exercise some restraint - 100 post parties come to mind- and make worthwhile contributions, they will get known soon enough IMNSHO.

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To do my part I pledge to try to stop hijacking random threads with tater and turning them into mini-conversations. I realize how annoying it is to read continuous drivel from the same two posters over and over again in a thread. I apologize.
(No sarcasm is present in this post–it is entirely sincere!)

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kellibelli! WTF?!?! So far I’ve stood behind you on almost every post or point you’ve made (though I almost never post 'me too’s) but this takes the cake. Talk about fuckin mean, dude!

I’m only at 500 (and no I won’t have a post party for 500 - probably not for 1000 either) but I still remember when 100 posts was a big deal. Not everyone spends their lives around their computer pounding out posts.
Both threads you linked to made it clear in the subject line that they concerned 100th post parties. Now, I’ve never bothered to accurately measure the time it takes to read a subject line and skip it, but I’m pretty sure you won’t miss anything important in that fraction of a sliver of a second. Furthermore ‘100 post parties’ are as mundane and pointless as you can get without specialized assistance.

As for welcome a friend? Well, I sure as hell appreciated the welcome Ayesha gave me when Dylan and I joined up.

Sequential threads: I assume you are talking about threads like the Ultimate Rochambo Fighter Arena. Read the thread. It’s the funniest I’ve read since Wally. Maybe after a couple of pages someone (like a mod) could start a part 2 or something to keep the thread managable… anyway these too are mudane and pointless and have the additional benefit of being extremely amusing. (from time to time)

threadkillers? I’ve never ever clicked into one, though Dylan explained it to me. Sounds stupid. I will continue to expend the fraction of a sliver of a second and not click.

Dopefest posts? Why the fuck not? Mailing lists don’t attract peoples attention which is the whole point of a dopefest thread. Except of course, mine which had as it’s mission to fizzle out. But I’m not bitter. They all get to get together and we don’t.

I will commiserate with you about the high school kids thing. I appreciate and respect those that make an attempt at maturity. In fact I most appreciate it when it never enters my mind to question the maturity of the poster whose post I’m reading. I least appreciate it when I spend a shitload of time thinking about and researching a reply and it goes ignored. I don’t need to know how their parents feel, trying to raise such self centered brats… I’ve got my own kids for that. Ok. I’m bitter. I do agree ‘they’ should have their own forum - this one is supposed to be dedicated to fighting ignorance.

Anyway, all the lame crap annoys me too… but only when I get suckered into it before I realize what it is. I’ve learned to associate certain names with quality and certain names with poop and that usually steers me clear.

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Why don’t you take the rest of the year off and do the people who like intelligent replies a favor?

dolt.

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I thought I’d step in here with a totally mindless observation.

Instead of the usual “Get you God or Goddess” appellation thread, I tried to start one that required actual thought upon the poster’s part (The cynical hell thread). Guess what? It sank like a stone.

Then I started the SD Peerage Registry thread for FPK and the thing’s a virtual rocket. It’s sort of ironic that the mindless “Me Too” threads zoom out of sight while the more demanding one’s go over the event horizon.

Someone above complained about the SDMB Iron Chef thread. You’ll notice that I put in a genuine effort on that thread and look at some of the drivel that was posted to it. Seriously, if you’re going to do something, do it right!

Anyway, there’s plenty of topics left. Just head over to Ender’s Horoscope thread for a bit of fun. Wait until you see the next one I’m about to spring on the boards.

Bwaaahahahahahahahahahaha…

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I suppose bitching about a lack of conversation material constitutes a conversation in itself…

FWIW, I’m with you on the post count parties, threadkillers shit, or anything else that generates 200 replies within 12 hours. I’m surprised sometimes at how much people tend toward the pointless rather than sticking to the mundane side. Don’t get me wrong, I like a good bit of chit-chat as much as the next guy. It’s just that sometimes I even scratch my head in wonder. And that’s saying something.

I’m NOT with you on the DopeFest threads. These serve a valid purpose to a significant amount of people. If it’s a two person dopefest, it’s not gonna generate 150 replies in 6 hours, right? Besides, threads like those are usually clearly labeled, and easy to steer clear off. I know, I know, you’re talking about them pushing down other threads. Better a DopeFest thread than a postcount thread, says I.

Zenster, you’re not still pissed about your prank on Mr. Cynical going down fast, are you? One would almost think you’re bitter or something.

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You agreed with me and then told me to leave??? Stick your head back up your butt.

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I dont find too much of that Dewt, I wouldnt know the age of most of them if they didnt tell me.

Some are obviously children (looks upwards at previous post), but for the most part are very mature.

Mercuito
Its nice you are excited, but are you going to have a party every 100 posts? You are new, so you probably dont realize its been done to death! Do a search on ‘post party’ in the title… I have read some of your stuff, and its fine, you were jhust an example of people ignoring Euty’s request, thats all.

Sure newbies need time to grow - this isnt anti newbie!! this is anti ‘cyber-garbage’… Read again what Primaflora said, I cant put it better than that.

And the whole Dry & Medea’sChild - get a room already! :rolleyes:

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Before I start, I’d like to state that I am well aware that I am guilty of most, if not all the things I am complaining about in this post. I’ve just done some thinking and realized the error of my ways and thought I’d share my ideas on how to rectify the situation.

Re: Post Count Parties. I’ve had one “thrown” for me, and I did enjoy it in the spirit in which it was offered. However I am one of those who does not understand the appeal, and I would be happy if I never saw one again. Perhaps we ought to go back to having the post count hidden in the profiles? It seems to me that when the post counts were not readily invisible, post count parties were rare and only for 1000+ posts.

I can understand the POV of people who talk about PCPs and such strengthening the “community”, but I have to counter with which community. As seems inevitable in such a large group, we seem to have broken off into different sub-groups, which is not a bad thing. I’m not talking about “cliques” in the way they have been brought up in the past, but rather it seems like the same group of posters replying to each other’s topics. Perhaps all of us in these groupings, myself included most of all, would be better served taking these things to e-mail or chat? One thing I’ve done that is fun is to start a live journal to record the little thoughts and asides that would have previously gone into MPSIMS. My board friends know the URL, and they can respond to my messages and I can respond back to them. It’s kind of like having my own little message board all about me. Needless to say, I love it! :smiley:

I will also have to agree with Alphagene in this thread that the thing that sets the SDMB apart as a board is General Questions (and to a lesser extent, Great Debates). I might do almost all of my posting in MPSIMS, but GQ is the one section I make a point to read top to bottom every day. Frankly, there are tons of places I could go on the internet to share mundane & pointless stuff, but the SDMB is one of the few places I’ve found where I can find useful information almost every day.

To be honest, I’m not sure how much more this board can grow and still function as a social outlet. Simply put, at the rate threads are started and fall, it’s more like a bunch of people shouting into a room, than the conversation it once was. I am not judging or blaming anyone for this, it’s just what happens when you have about 1000 people actively posting on the same board . Perhaps we ought to find other social outlets, and re-focus the board on GQ?

And like I said before, I am well aware that I am one of the most notorious chatterbugs and I am mending my ways. As promised, no more belly button threads from me. :smiley:

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er… I don’t remember agreeing with you. You said that because Kelli ran out of ‘stuff’, she ‘blaims’ other peoples interests. For what? Murder? Theft? Tax evasion?

er… to my knowledge, kelli has not started any of the lamest threads. In fact, over the time that I’ve been here, kellibelli has earned a great deal of my respect.

Unlike you.

thankyoudrivethru

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Kells, I agree with you. And magdalene I have just added you to my hero list.
Lots of the regulars don’t post anymore because it’s the same as yesterday. We’ve seen most of the threads before and had our day with them.
I don’t think I’ve had a single post count party, and no thank you I have no desire for one. I didn’t get the ‘welcome to the board’ thread, no thank you it wasn’t necessary, I made my own place on the board just fine.
My whole point is, you can fit with the board and become a respected, well-adjusted poster on your own merit.

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This is entirely correct. This happens in almost all post count threads–the very same people who chase each other around the boards waiting for their name to appear in each other’s threads, are the same ones who post at these little parties. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have had a post count party myself but there are more posters here now than there were then and I sure as hell didn’t have a post count party for 100 posts. The point is, these post count parties are mostly a reason for all the posters who normally read threads by the OP to come and post to the thread. There is really no reason for that since that person could have posted “My left nut itches” and the same forty people would have shown up to say, “Really? That bites!”

I do understand what the new people are saying about them wanting to celebrate their number of posts and have flirting threads the same as they have seen before. However, the truth is the nature of the board is changing with all these people here. We can’t do all the things we used to. That may suck but it is the way it is. No one is saying that you cannot celebrate how many posts you have. But please, instead of starting a thread that says, "Look at how many times I have clicked “Submit Reply!”, start one that says, “My left nut itches, does anyone else’s? I’m craving a peanut butter sandwich, isn’t that weird? My dog has worms–let me tell you a funny story about that! And, by the way, this will be my 68th post! Anyway, about my dog…” It will kill several birds with one stone!

[sub]P.S. magdalene–I love you!

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::waves::

I know how you feel- in a private Yahoo messenger conversation, I remember telling you that I felt like I didn’t know anyone here anymore. It almost seems pointless to post accomplishments, complaints, or conversation because threads get ignored by newbies (They don’t know me, so I don’t blame them) or simply missed by the “oldies” (who don’t post as much anymore).

I agree with the quantity of people that post now- it’s really taken away from the “close knit community” feeling and added a very Jr. High atmosphere. I believe a big factor in the recent influx of posters is that The Straight Dope appears on Bored.com as a fun site to visit.

I’m hoping it’s just a trend, and things revert back a bit, but I think not. Oh, well- all things change.

Oh, and I’m almost at 3000 posts and I don’t think I’ve ever had a “party”. The reason is this: The more “respect” given to a poster because of numbers, the more people post just to increase those numbers. I wish that feature was just turned off entirely.

Zette