How have you changed since you've been posting on the Dope?

In My Humble Opinion
21

I’ve changed from strongly, even rabidly, pro-Palestinian to very slightly pro-Israeli - not only because of this board, but it helped.
I’ve hardened my pacifist stance quite a bit (mostly in response to stuff posted here, actually)
I’ve become a lot more realistic about real-world Anarchism.
I’ve become a father twice, that’s been nice.

22

I’ve been here for over 14 years, it would have been longer but I wanted to give the place a couple of weeks before I signed up. I haven’t changed, but you people certainly have.

23

I use the expressions “when come back, bring pie” and “I burning your dog” upon occasion. I get funny looks when I do.

24

Only about 2 or 3 years here but I have experienced some notable changes in my life. Having lived my 65 years in a very small world of blue collar workers who seldom to never read anything I often felt awkward and out of place when in the presence of more educated proffessionals. My verbal and written skills have not improved a lot but confidence in my theory and opinions on things have and I have greatly broadened my circle of close friends.

Just a few years back most of my closest friends had at least 5 years hard prison time behind them, now I would say my closest friends have at least a master degree. I find myself receiving more invites to social events and get togethers than I care to attend. I thank the dope for this in large part.

25

I was about halfway through college when I started posting here. The main thing I see when I look back at my old posts is how affected my writing was. I was trying way too hard. That was before I learned that simple language is the best way to communicate.

26

It’s been a busy almost-decade for me. I got married, moved, had a kid, finished grad school, got a job, moved again, moved a third time, had another kid, moved a fourth time.

I’m older, a bit grayer, perhaps not wiser. My opinions haven’t changed that much, maybe I’ve moderated a bit on some issues. I’m definitely happier than I was then. Being a husband and father suits me better than being a work-a-holic grad student.

27

I made my highest dream come true by writing a book with a fellow Doper. I love being a published author. Finding the courage to write the book and then the time to write it while coping with the needs of a newborn is one of my proudest achievements.

28

I’m older, fatter and a bit more cynical. That’s about it. WYSIWYG. But I will cop to becoming a LOT more liberal in my outlook. 8 years of Bush will do that to a person.

29

I’ve gotten a lot:

  • tougher. Grr STRONG LIKE BULL!
  • calmer. who really cares if people agree with me or see my viewpoint?
  • tons and tons more cynical.
30

Only been here six months but my family say I’m a lot less cranky these days.

31

Before I joined the Dope, I was (and still am) a member of a discussion site dedicated to motorcycle sport touring. The membership is almost exclusively comprised of a particular demographic group. The typical member there is:

[ul][li]male[/li][li]middle-aged[/li][li]has stable employment and substantial disposable income[/li][li]has no significant physical disability (maybe a little arthritis here and there, but for the most part they’ve got two legs, two arms, good vision, etc.)[/li][li]has no significantly disabling mental health issues[/ul][/li]
Discussion there is somewhat restrained because most of us know each other and have met in real life at various motorcycle-related gatherings. So we tend not to discuss extremely personal issues, and we try to maintain a polite tone.

I was a member there for about a decade before I signed on to the Dope. The people here are much more varied in just about every way you can think of. The anonymity facilitates openness and explicitness, and it’s been eye-opening to learn how other people (people much more different from me than my fellow motorcycling enthusiasts are) live their lives, how they feel about different issues, how they cope with adversity, and so on. Over the past 6+ years the GQ forum has taught me a lot, but I think the IMHO forum may have taught me more.

32

I’m as terrible of a person as ever.

33

If memory serves, when I joined I was Deist/Agnostic - I am now Athiest - much thanks to the lively debates regarding Theism.

I’ve learned alot from this board - on more subjects than I can think of - I’d like to think I’ve contributed some in return.

34

I still try to be the lovable, pompous, know-it-all in real life I’ve always been since 2002 but it’s difficult.

35

I like to think I have changed for the better. For one I am nowhere near as smart as I thought as I was! Also, I am less quick to judge and more likely to consider viewpoints that differ from mine.

36

I’ve been here 12 years, so most of my 20s and all of my 30s.

That was 7 boyfriends ago! And a couple flings.

I’ve had my baby girl dog 11.5 years, so almost the entire time I’ve been here.

I bought a house. I’ve even re-financed in that time.

I quit smoking.

My brother got married. My best friends got married (to each other). I have 2 nieces and a “nephew” now plus countless friends with kids.

I still work at the same job - my own company. I went from working from my partner’s house to working from his apartment to working from my parents’ house to working from my own home.

I don’t think the Dope has changed me BUT the most important role it fills for me is to be my virtual co-workers at my virtual water cooler. I don’t think I could have worked from “home” for this long without seeing what other folks are up to. And that is what I get from the Dope.

37

I eat a lot more garlic.

38

I’m a bit over eight years into my Dopership. Ways that’s I’ve changed? Let’s see:

  1. I used to be married to my first wife. Now I’m married to my second wife.

  2. I used to be more inclined to make absolutle declarations, such as that time I posted “I’ll never get married again.” Now I’m slightly less dense.

  3. I used to weigh more. Now I have more than just a passive interest in sticking around this planet as long as possible.

  4. Related to #3, I used to exercise rarely, and then, mostly by accident.

  5. I used to make quite a bit less money. However, I also used to work less hard for it.

  6. I used to have the telephone numbers of everyone I talked to memorized. Now, the only numbers I have memorized are work, home, and my wife’s cell. I don’t know any of my friends’ or other relatives’ numbers.

  7. When I first began posting, I had a fear of flying. I have since both overcome that fear and then regressed entirely.

  8. I have more than doubled the number of baseball stadiums I’ve visited since I first became a Doper.

  9. I have moved a total of four times since I started posting and, related to #2, I now live in a part of LA that I swore I never would.

I think the steadiest thing about me is that I’ve been employed by the same folks during all this time.