This is an issue that gets debated at least every couple of years or so. Probably every argument for and against allowing embedded images has been made in one of those old threads, such as Should the SDMB enable images? and Maybe rethink policy about posting pictures directly?
Different message boards (and other corners of the internet) have different “personalities” and appeal to different groups of people. This message board tends to appeal to people who like using language to communicate.
You’re not really helping your “behind the times” argument by posting Devo videos.
you are missing the point and the example and the joke 
having it gives you the freedom to use it or not.
Can we at least stop the condescending “we use our words to communicate” crap? C’mon, it’s not like boards that DO allow pictures and/or videos are full of nothing but sparkly gifs and kitten videos.
I’m not saying whether or not we should allow photos, but the whole argument just sounds really, really stupid.
I fail to see why this site needs “to keep up with media.” Is there a race somewhere? Frequent flyer points for participants? Bonus bucks in the e-wallet? So far, you haven’t offered a quality reason why the board owners should make a policy change. On the other hand, you have offered a number of nonsensical video links to strengthen the case to keep the current policy intact.
I see a number of web sites have moved into the social media fad in a big way, replacing written content with videos. Their choice. I find I can read content faster than waiting for a video to even start, let alone play. In turn, I now avoid those sites. My choice. No one takes away your freedom that images and videos are not allowed here. It’s not difficult to add in a link or three from a media site. You already did that. You are welcome to participate that way, or not. It’s just that the participation media here is text. If you do not like text, there’s a message board next door that should suit your preference.
Apparently, when all you have is a hammer, Dave, everything you see is a nail.
LOL plus 1 !
the internet shows that words really aren’t enough.
Its called ‘Youtube’ not youtext for a reason and is popular for that reason 
these aren’t typewriters anymore
Go away.
I thought it was just once. In 1960. For twenty minutes.
social media fad ? the internet is social media-period
you have a thread for favorite teams that don’t exist anymore. Just listing them is boring. a Picture would evoke memories etc.
Iwanted to post an expo’s pick and a California Seals picture and such which is more flavorful then just writing it…more impressionable.
the speed you think you can read things has nothing to do with it really.
come closer
If you look at the stats at the bottom of the Straight Dope Message Board window, you will see a line similar to
Seems to me that all by itself indicates that people aren’t too concerned about the inability to post pictures and videos directly. It is easy to use a link; what’s the problem?
Dude, let it go. Oh my god, I have to post a LINK??? Suck it up.
Jokes about “using words” aside, I like SDMB just the way it is, gray background, black letters, no images, no avatars.
I don’t want that changed, I don’t even approve of opt-in avatars and images.
It’s a question of personal preference, no amount of reasoning is going to change my mind.
So, if you ask me, let SDMB continue to be the SDMB.
If you post links with proper indication of what they lead to, then we have the choice of whether to look at your stuff or not. With in-thread pictures or videos, they impinge upon us without choice.
So your argument about choice could go one way for the poster and the other way for the reader. Readers outnumber posters.
davethehammer, why don’t you give www.giraffeboards.com a try? The Giant Giraffe over there says “it’s a lot like SDMB, only edgier.” They allow avatars, pix and video. Wallow in it!
choice takes care if both.
THIS! It is so nice to come here and not be bombarded with animated gifs, huge photos, flashy avatars and automatic videos I have to scramble to pause.
Long live SDMB!
one thing at a time LOL dont overload me
As one surgeon said to the other, “Suture self.”