Help me turn a friend on to the Straight Dope

I have a friend whom I wish to introduce to the Straight Dope. But with all the columns, message boards, and information contained therein one could flounder for a long time. So, if YOU wanted a friend to laugh/be impressed/startled/or whatever which columns or threads would you include? The guy is fortyish, judges debates, has dance ballet, has a degree in chemistry, and used to picket against Fred Phelps. He has a great sense of humor, is not prissy(potty jokes ok), and likes music(I’ll bet he would love the parodies that Fenris has written)

So what do you think? I was considering (1)the column on Catherine the Great and the horse(2)Coldfire’s thread on May 5, 1945, (3)Joe Clark in the Gay Pride parade, and (4)the column on whether or not anyone has ever had sex in space. Oh, oh, oh, and the VERY FIRST Straight Dope column I ever saw, the one about whether or not pigs have corkscrew shaped penises.

I think you have the greatest hits picked. He’ll laugh; he’ll cry; he’ll think some. But he’s such a natural, why ease him in? And will you be introducing him? I’m sure someone of whichever preference he prefers will be happy to flirt with him. That’s what nailed my feet here (thanks, Shayna!)

Who the hell is Fred Phelps?

dropzine, I’ll introduce him if he ends up registering. Kind of a busy guy, but I figure he needs the relaxation.

carnivorousplant, you ARE kidding I assume.

Er, no.

I look forward to it. You haven’t pissed me off yet, and that’s a good recommendation for him. :wink:

I always start out a science-minded prospect by showing him The story of Schroedinger’s cat (an epic poem).

Of course, yours are great, too. I say make him look at them all.

carnivorous plant, I’m really sorry if I sounded too arch in my reply to you. But if you would like to know who Fred Phelps is, there are numerous threads about him on the boards, some of which I started, some by others. For a good all around intriduction to him, in a CURRENT thread, try. Again, I apologize for my tone.

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=87507

I was going to say something amusing, but that is one mean son of a bitch.

I’d suggest the column about the calorie count of sperm. That one is always a winner. :smiley:

Scylla’s Goat Sex thread.

You could always give him one of the SD books.

Along with the http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=57809, and My Wife, The Angel of Death. Both are classic examples of genius writing. I liken them to Dave Barry (one of my favorite Scylla, not an insult :slight_smile: ).

And tell him to ignore the coding mistake. Preview is your friend!

He’s a * ** debate judge? ** * Send him over to Great Debates, man!

Well, a high school debate judge. But yes, GD might be a good place. And I HAVE included the “Angel of Death” thread now as one to show him.

The Joe Clark thread? One of my threads is being considered as a thread to entice someone onto the boards? I’m honoured. (“I’d like to thank the Academy…”)

(Seriously, given your friend’s interests, I can see how that one might appeal to him.)

If I could suggest another one, I don’t think you can go wrong by pointing him to Scylla’s Ball shaving acident thread..

Ooooo, that was a good one too! But that’s just the trouble. There are SO many good ones. And I lost my links tosome of the funnier potty threads,(except for the one about Wolf-ass) Thanks, Northern Piper!!! PS Check your email.

Toss him in with a nice intro and we will embrace into our copious bosom!