# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/41 "2013-12-20T01:09:28Z")
I think I was a member for a while. But now I’m retired, so I save the money instead. I like to think that my posts (all 13,689 of them 🆒 ) add a bit of value. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/42 "2013-12-20T01:18:43Z")
I’m a member because I hate the ads, and I really like to see my post count. I started on the net when everything was free, so I tend to avoid pay anything sites, but the Dope is an exception because it is about the most civilized board I’ve ever seen. In any case I retire in a few years and then I’ll stop my habit of posting so infrequently. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/43 "2013-12-20T01:19:52Z")
I view SDMB as a cool thing that makes life better, and if my contribution prevents SDMB’s demise in any small way, then I can sleep at night. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/44 "2013-12-20T02:35:57Z")
Members get time-share weekends with the goat. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/45 "2013-12-20T02:46:20Z")
I was a paid member for several years, I became annoyed (and still am) by the all-too-frequent timeouts and crashes and whatnot, and by my very rough calculation, I contribute one post out of every 400 on this board. If anything, _they_ should be paying _me_. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/46 "2013-12-20T03:05:00Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > 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. Beautifully stated **TD**. You got class! ---
**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:** [December 20, 2013, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/47 "2013-12-20T03:16:18Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > I started on the net when everything was free, so I tend to avoid pay anything sites, but the Dope is an exception because it is about the most civilized board I’ve ever seen. I can’t imagine a greater compliment. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/48 "2013-12-20T03:46:57Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > No, you do NOT need a Paypal account to subscribe to the SDMB. > > \< additional details given . . . \> Okay, thanks. Some ignorance fought, maybe. I kinda sorta maybe vaguely knew that (unless I didn’t), but this nudges me a quantum closer to deciding to pay up. So I just go to paypal site and poke around or something? ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/49 "2013-12-20T06:40:08Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > … I started on the net when everything was free, so I tend to avoid pay anything sites, but the Dope is an exception because it is about the most civilized board I’ve ever seen. I’m the same. I follow a few other boards, but none have the civil interaction between members, and the moderation, as this one. I’m happy to pay for this board. Not so the others. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/50 "2013-12-20T06:51:02Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > I’m a member because I hate the ads, and I really like to see my post count. … the Dope … is about the most civilized board I’ve ever seen. > … +1 > [@bobot](#): > > I view SDMB as a cool thing that makes life better, and if my contribution prevents SDMB’s demise in any small way, then I can sleep at night. +1 > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Members get time-share weekends with the goat. Who do I contact to reserve my weekend? 😃 ---
**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 20, 2013, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/51 "2013-12-20T07:15:23Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Okay, thanks. Some ignorance fought, maybe. I kinda sorta maybe vaguely knew that (unless I didn’t), but this nudges me a quantum closer to deciding to pay up. So I just go to paypal site and poke around or something? Click on “UserCP” in the blue band at the top of most every SDMB page. Click on “Paid Subscriptions.” Indicate one year or two year subscription from the drop down menu. Click the “Order” button. Follow the prompts. This is also what you do to order a gift subscription … you simply put in the SDMB screen name of the recipient in the name box instead of your own. If you are a Charter Member buying a subscription for a non-Charter Member, you will need to buy a two year subscription to equal one $14.95 payment. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/52 "2013-12-20T13:40:57Z")
I actually used to be a founding member. Then, four years ago during a cross-country move, my account expired and my account was cancelled. By the time I got settled in, I was past the ten day (?) window to renew and get the title back. I could renew, but I will never get my “Charter Member” title back. I already don’t see any ads thanks to various Chrome plugins, so the only benefit to renewing would be to get the “Member” title… so I can’t justify it to myself. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/53 "2013-12-20T13:53:50Z")
I was a member for a year. I didn’t really get anything out of it besides access to custom titles. Which was kinda cool, but cost extra on top of membership anyway. I use adblock anyway, so it just wasn’t worth the cost to renew IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/54 "2013-12-20T14:37:56Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > **I could renew, but I will never get my “Charter Member” title back.** I already don’t see any ads thanks to various Chrome plugins, so the only benefit to renewing would be to get the “Member” title… so I can’t justify it to myself. You might. They had some sort of amnesty. Check with **Tuba**. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/55 "2013-12-20T14:50:08Z")
She mentioned the “amnesty” in this very thread. > [@TubaDiva](#): > > (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:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/56 "2013-12-20T17:18:07Z")
I paid in because I enjoyed the posters and I figured that Jerry and the other IT staff could use the money. I am fortunate that the cost of membership is pretty inconsequential for me and I assume that my dues cover some small portion of the cost of coffee mugs, jackboots, and the other riches bestowed on the mods. Also, those squids and goats must be pretty expensive as well. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/57 "2013-12-20T18:09:04Z")
Considering how much time I spend here, and given that I can afford it, how could I not pay? Really, it’s about the best bargain going. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/58 "2013-12-20T18:43:27Z")
I rationalize it because a simple message board is never worth money. If the SDMB ever become “members only” it would become an echo chamber, and it would die. ---
**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 20, 2013, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/59 "2013-12-20T19:01:07Z")
> [@armedmonkey](#): > > I rationalize it because a simple message board is never worth money. If the SDMB ever become “members only” it would become an echo chamber, and it would die. But it was members only for quite a while. It seems like it was doing OK at that point. The active membership was pretty large. I’m not sure what year it went Pay To Post but at least as early as 2004 and through at least 2010. I think the current mix is better but a 5+ year run as members only is pretty good proof that it worked. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741/60 "2013-12-20T19:07:22Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > But it was members only for quite a while. Yes, it was. And I was a member (check the join date). Traffic dropped precipitously. If that experiment was to happen again, the board would die. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-rationalize-not-becoming-a-member-of-sdmb/676741.md?page=4)