# How DO you do it? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 17, 2002, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102 "2002-11-17T01:18:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![green\_dragon\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/13edae/32.png) [@green\_dragon\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_dragon_1)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/1 "2002-11-17T01:18:37Z")
So here I sit, scratching my head, trying so hard to think up a good idea for a thread but to no avail. So tell me, where does YOUR flash of inspiration come from? In the bath? In your dreams? Come one come all and share your wisdom… ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/2 "2002-11-17T01:33:53Z")
Usually at work, or some other place. I’ll have an idea and I’ll think, “That would make a good thread!” Rarely do I sit in front of my computer and try to conjure some good thread concept up right there. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/3 "2002-11-17T04:18:35Z")
It is a talent that some are born with and others aren’t. 😉 [sup]I seem to belong to the latter group.[/sup] ---
**Author:** ![TVGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/82dd89/32.png) [@TVGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/4 "2002-11-17T06:18:40Z")
Thread creation appears, to the untrained eye, to be a mix of polymorphism and redunditude masquerading as a philosophical bent on the meaning of life. In reality, the creation of a long lasting and interesting thread, worthy of “Threadspotting” is a blend of wit, humor, a certain level of “hamminess” on the part of the OP and a willingness by the thread participants to engage in a mix of polymorphism and redunditude masquerading as a philosophical bent on the meaning of life… - on the other hand, I may have absolutely no f\*\*king idea what I’m talking about either - 'spose? ---
**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:** [November 17, 2002, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/5 "2002-11-17T13:56:04Z")
For $19.95 a year(or $2.00 a month for short term) I subscribe to the Creative Response Action Program, out of Dacron, Ohio. Every week they e-mail me a list of approximately twenty to thirty topics suitable for the general public, pre-labeled for Religious, Political, or General discussion. For an extra $5.00 a year, they throw in ten topics designed for Adult discussion only. ---
**Author:** ![japatlgt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@japatlgt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/japatlgt)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/6 "2002-11-17T14:02:07Z")
It helps to be unemployed. ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/7 "2002-11-17T14:55:26Z")
Do you wonder about stuff? What stuff? ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/8 "2002-11-17T16:41:50Z")
Ok, I really shouldn’t be telling you this, but I guess I have a soft spot for you new fish. In an enclosed space measuring no more than 50 meters square, place at least 5, but no more than 9, of the following: - A cow - A Korean pop star who speaks some Dutch. Not a lot, but enough to get by - 6 rutabegas (carrots may be substituted, but you will need 8) - An aquarium (full, with fish) - An '87 Honda Civic - Hummel figurines - A dog-eared copy of _More of the Straight Dope_ - Black powder, or other suitably fast-burning material - A subway map of New York City with the B Line scratched out - An inflatable David Hasselhoff doll - A ladder - 75 grams of marijuana - The somewhat befuddled assitant councillor of a homeowner’s association - 4 cans of baked beans - 2 Scottish Fold cats - The still-beating heart of a virgin princess - A TV, VCR and video cassette of _The Wizard of Oz_ - At least 3 Dopers - Beer Having allowed them to interact freely, seat yourself in a position of meditation, and observe. Inspiration will come. ---
**Author:** ![Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/2bfe46/32.png) [@Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xavier)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/9 "2002-11-17T19:47:02Z")
> [@](#): > > It helps to be unemployed. Or a loser. ---
**Author:** ![TVGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/82dd89/32.png) [@TVGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/10 "2002-11-18T00:16:10Z")
**Sublight** , you forgot the rusty 16 oz. ball peen hammer Good God man, _NEVER_ forget the rusty 16 oz. ball peen hammer!! ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/11 "2002-11-18T01:06:11Z")
Shhhh! You don’t want to give away _all_ the secrets of the clique, do you? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/12 "2002-11-18T01:11:58Z")
Screw the clique. Listen to NPRs Morning Edition on your way to work. There’s always something there worth discussing. Alternately, get to know enough people here and you’ll start **wanting** to share your life events with them. ---
**Author:** ![green\_dragon\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/13edae/32.png) [@green\_dragon\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_dragon_1)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/13 "2002-11-18T01:12:39Z")
::Drags cow into room:: ::finds rusty 16 oz. ball peen hammer:: (this seems to be important) Now where did I leave that virgin princess…? Don’t know if all this will help but its gonna be an interesting night 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![green\_dragon\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/13edae/32.png) [@green\_dragon\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_dragon_1)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/14 "2002-11-18T01:13:57Z")
D’oh! Should have previewed… ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/15 "2002-11-18T10:29:35Z")
I generally find inspiration in seething anger. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/16 "2002-11-18T16:34:51Z")
I find myself to be endlessly fascinating; consequently, you do to. So I write about me. Couldn’t be simpler. That and I think about stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/17 "2002-11-18T16:40:30Z")
‘Le Fou, I’ve been thinking!’ ‘A dangerous pastime.’ ‘I know.’ ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/18 "2002-11-18T17:26:50Z")
Well, if you post enough, and enough of those posts are OPs, you might stumble onto something worthy of being posted someday.😃 [sub]Still waiting…[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/19 "2002-11-18T20:56:54Z")
I hunt out plaques dedicated to various important people. Then I look at the shit left on said plaques by pigeons-- and try to figure out what the resulting word jumbles mean. Occasionally it helps to have knowledge of languages other than english. ---
**Author:** ![Greywolf73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d9b06d/32.png) [@Greywolf73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greywolf73)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102/20 "2002-11-18T21:47:46Z")
Well, each night “They” come from the sky and leave me a granite stone inscribed with alien writing. I then translate the alien words into English by using my 2002 edition of “Alien to Earthling Translator”… Or sometimes I just think up stuff as I drift off to sleep. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-do-it/137102.md?page=2)