# How do you rationalize not becoming a member of SDMB? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [December 19, 2013, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741 "2013-12-19T18:10:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/1 "2013-12-19T18:10:01Z")
Finding myself hanging out here a lot. I thought maybe it was time I coughed up the bucks to become a member. Then I started noticing people’s posts. There are folks that been hanging out here for dozens of years. And still a guest. So, just curious, why aren’t you a member? Sorry, if this has been discussed before. I imagine it has. If so, toss me a link. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/2 "2013-12-19T18:19:48Z")
Because it’s free. I didn’t cough up the money to become a member when it was pay-to-post, I probably won’t going forward. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/3 "2013-12-19T18:23:42Z")
Ditto. It’s free. I don’t get any tangible benefits from being a paid member. Ads don’t bother me and I don’t feel the need for a custom title. I used to have a membership but I’d rather remain a guest. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/4 "2013-12-19T18:48:24Z")
I, OTOH, am perfectly willing to cough up the bucks for the entertainment value alone. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/5 "2013-12-19T18:52:06Z")
Okay. So, we are saying its free. Does that mean if no one paid to be a member, it would still be here for us? They can live off advertising, alone? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/6 "2013-12-19T18:55:59Z")
I was a member for years and then I let it lapse. I think I’ll probably join again. But here is a question, what are the perks of becoming a member? I don’t recall the changes. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/7 "2013-12-19T19:07:00Z")
You get no ads and the option of purchasing a nifty title. Sort of like buying a patent of nobility from some third-rate European country desperate for solid currency. ---
**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:** [December 19, 2013, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/8 "2013-12-19T19:14:22Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Okay. So, we are saying its free. Does that mean if no one paid to be a member, it would still be here for us? They can live off advertising, alone? I don’t think so. Mods? ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/9 "2013-12-19T19:18:36Z")
Members also have their location and post count appear on every post. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/10 "2013-12-19T19:26:25Z")
I detest ads and I spend a lot of time here. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/11 "2013-12-19T19:30:56Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I, OTOH, am perfectly willing to cough up the bucks for the entertainment value alone. Here too. Basically, if you enjoy posting here why NOT support the board? All this isn’t free, and I’m sure the ads only pay for so much. Member dues help pay the bills and keep the board going. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/12 "2013-12-19T19:34:03Z")
What would happen if there were no paid subscriptions? Dunno. That’s an upper management thing and we’re not part of that conversation. I would imagine that corporate is like any other company; they look at their offerings to see what is profitable and what is not. My understanding is that so far we have been somewhat profitable, enough so that this goes forward. It’s on a combination of subscription and ad revenue and I don’t know the percentages, although common sense would tell you they’re not making megabucks on $7.95/14.95 per annum. Our feeling on it is, hey, if you feel it’s worth it to you and you want to help the Dope stick around, your subscription is welcome. Subscribing members get a few little perks; first off, they don’t see advertising. Subscribers get more PM space, they get to purchase (for a small additional fee) custom titles. Subscribers also get to sell their wares in the Marketplace forum. They have our appreciation and grateful thanks for making tangible contributions to keeping this place in business; they put their money where their mouth is. We appreciate their support. However, if you don’t wish to subscribe, you still get to read, you still get to post. You see advertising. You get smaller PM space. You don’t get a snazzy custom title. You’re shut out of the Marketplace. We’re still happy to see you, Guests are a part of the message board community. It’s all good. Since it’s a few days before Xmas, I should mention that you can make someone a gift of a Straight Dope subscription. It’s the gift that’s good any time of the year and is another shot in the ongoing fight against Ignorance. Buy one for yourself; get some for your friends, share the love! (If you are already a member you can extend/renew your subscription at any time. If you have been a Charter Member in the past and lost it, I might be able to get you back in; talk to me off the board for details. [TubaDiva@straightdope.com](mailto:TubaDiva@straightdope.com)) ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/13 "2013-12-19T19:44:59Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Here too. Basically, if you enjoy posting here why NOT support the board? All this isn’t free, and I’m sure the ads only pay for so much. Member dues help pay the bills and keep the board going. I say either make the board a pay-to-post board or leave it as is and dont castigate those who choose to utilize its free access. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/14 "2013-12-19T19:46:34Z")
The first one didn’t work and we’ll castigate whomever we please for whatever reasons we please, thenkyouverymuch! ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/15 "2013-12-19T19:47:02Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > I say either make the board a pay-to-post board or leave it as is and dont castigate those who choose to utilize its free access. I’m not castigating anyone. Merely giving my opinion…if you like the board, the support it…or don’t, as it suits you. For MY part, that’s why I pay for my membership every year (in fact, several years in advance, so hopefully I won’t get banned anytime soon :p) ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/16 "2013-12-19T19:49:06Z")
I’m a dirt-poor grad student trying to support myself, my wife, and my children by plummeting headfirst into debt that will take me more years than I care to calculate to claw my way out of. It’s not that I don’t think this place is worth a few bucks; it’s that it would be wildly irresponsible of me to voluntarily add that to my expenses unnecessarily. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/17 "2013-12-19T20:02:04Z")
Like I said, if you want to, if you can, we welcome your contributions. If you choose not to – for whatever reason – you can still read here, post here, etc. Whatever choice is fine and you should not be hassled over that choice. Not by us and not by anyone else. It’s no doubt well intentioned but please don’t try to shame people into paying up. That’s not what this place is about. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/18 "2013-12-19T20:02:56Z")
1. Members win the ties in any debate with guests. 2. Members get to see how guests voted in polls. 3. Members are entitled to the best seats at all dopefests. 4. Members are allowed unlimited punctuation in their posts. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/19 "2013-12-19T20:07:18Z")
My baby sister lurks her and often sends me links to threads she thinks I should know about, but as far as I know she’s never even registered as a guest. She finds the board amusing but prefers to avoid the drama. ---
**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:** [December 19, 2013, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/20 "2013-12-19T20:08:35Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > I’m a dirt-poor grad student trying to support myself, my wife, and my children by plummeting headfirst into debt that will take me more years than I care to calculate to claw my way out of. > > It’s not that I don’t think this place is worth a few bucks; it’s that it would be wildly irresponsible of me to voluntarily add that to my expenses unnecessarily. You’ve started 243 threads and posted over 16,000 times. I’d say that’s one hell of a contribution. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741.md?page=2)