# I just don't get it... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 2, 2000, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352 "2000-10-02T16:45:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/21 "2000-10-03T13:51:48Z")
Cool, we went from a rant about slow drivers to German poets/novelists of the 18th and 19th centuries in 20 posts! I agree with struuter, we should get some kind of award for that. Or should we have tossed some more pop culture references in there? Next time I’ll try to mention muppets, Speed Racer (how did we miss that one?), MST3K, or stupid TV shows of the 70s and 80s. ---
**Author:** ![struuter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@struuter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/struuter)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/22 "2000-10-03T14:03:54Z")
Okay, I’m game. The official odd reference thread, is it? Cool. Let’s see…but we’ll need to keep it orderly, so one reference can only be in reference to another reference…ooooh. Make sense? Ex. I studied Goethe in a literature class, and the professor had a small model of a Frank Lloyd Wright house in his office. Complete with the sidewalk and street in front. No cars, though. Probably all driving too slow. Or fast. ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/23 "2000-10-03T15:43:43Z")
You know, I saw a documentary about Frank Lloyd Wright by Ken Burns, you know that guy that did the documentary on Baseball? He missed a lot of stuff in that baseball documentary, but he did mention Joe DiMaggio, who was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1955, the same year James Dean died. Maybe if someone had been blocking Dean, making him drive slower he’d still be alive today. Those drivers may have saved your life! (Frank Lloyd Wright? What the hell am I gonna do with Frank Lloyd Wright?! There, I gave you 3 things to work with!) Frank Lloyd freakin’ Wright! ---
**Author:** ![lurkernomore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@lurkernomore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurkernomore)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/24 "2000-10-03T16:14:16Z")
Crunchy, ``` I don't think Joe D got in in 1955. He played thru 1951 and didn't make it ont he first ballot, and there is a 5 year waiting period in most cases (the first HOF class, Clemente exceptions) ``` ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/25 "2000-10-03T16:31:10Z")
I got my information from [the National Baseball Hall of Fame](http://baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/dimaggio_joe.htm) biography of the Yankee Clipper. BTW - Burns also really did do a documentary on Wright. I must of missed that one, I only found out about it doing a search about Wright trying to find something to reference to a keep the game going. ---
**Author:** ![struuter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@struuter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/struuter)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/26 "2000-10-03T16:39:44Z")
Speaking of searching… In Lincoln, Nebraska there is a Wright design-knock-off. It’s a lovely house…and I’m not sure that Wright didn’t design it himself, but at any rate, people drive very slowly past it. Just to get a good look. I don’t know how things are in other parts of the world/country, but here the past-time of driving around to look at Christmas/holiday lights is very popular. People drive veeeerrrrrrryyyyyy slowly for that. Easily amused? Um…yeah. ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/27 "2000-10-03T16:47:51Z")
Wait a minute – I searched for about a half hour to link Frank Lloyd Wright to Ken Burns to Joe DiMaggio to James Dean, and you stick with **Frank Lloyd _Freaking_ Wright** as the reference?! I gave you Burns, DiMaggio, and Dean to work with and you _stuck with Wright_!?!? Just for that, I’m going on my lunch break and won’t post here again for about a half hour. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/28 "2000-10-03T16:54:11Z")
:sneaks out of editing: > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by struuter \* > \*\*I don’t know how things are in other parts of the world/country, but here the past-time of driving around to look at Christmas/holiday lights is very popular. People drive veeeerrrrrrryyyyyy slowly for that. Easily amused? Um…yeah. \*\* Let me guess…all of them driving ‘Intrepids’? With the left blinker on? 😃 :sneaks back to editing: ---
**Author:** ![struuter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@struuter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/struuter)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/29 "2000-10-03T17:09:35Z")
_sigh_ I’ve irked Crunchy. Now I’m sure to get sprayed or what-have-you with all sorts of poisonous and otherwise unseemly toxins. Rats. screech–you are…(forgive me) a hoot. 🙂 Okay, I’ve done some work for you, Crunchy. I hope you’ll be pleased. Ken Burns, who did the documentaries on baseball and Frank Lloyd freakin’ Wright, also produced one about Thomas Hart Benton, an American artist. Benton was friends with another artist named Stanton McDonald-Wright (no relation AFAIK). McDonald-Wright’s first works, exhibited in Munich in 1913, were what he called ‘Synchromism,’ meaning ‘with color.’ They were the first non-representational works ever seen. One of his works called ‘Dragon,’ is on display at the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery in Lincoln, Nebraska. I live in Nebraska, as do the people driving the Intrepids which are driving me crazy. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Zero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Saint\_Zero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Zero)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/30 "2000-10-03T17:19:02Z")
I am **SO** unworthy to post in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/31 "2000-10-03T17:20:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by struuter \* > **screech–you are…(forgive me) a hoot. 🙂** :sneaks back in: Awww, shucks. :o :curtsies: Any way I can help out! :considers quote for a sig line: :sneaks back to editing: ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/32 "2000-10-03T17:32:13Z")
:pokes head back in: > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Saint Zero \* > **I am SO unworthy to post in this thread.** How so? I find you quite insightful, charming and amusing. I would hardly say unworthy, much less ‘ **SO** unworthy’? C’mon in, join the fun! :leaves to get this &\*&#$@ editing done: ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/33 "2000-10-03T17:35:53Z")
Naw, I wasn’t irked, just couldn’t think of anything and it was time for my lunch break. Don’t expect to see too much of me for the rest of the day, cuz the Cards are playing the Braves in Game 1 of the playoffs and are currently winning 3-0 in the first. I’ll be sure to check in though. BTW - I’ve been to Nebraska when I was in the Air Force. Not much there but the Cornhuskers. Speaking of sports, last Sunday between the Rams game and the Cards game, there were 100,000 people in downtown St Louis - now **that** caused some slow ass traffic! ---
**Author:** ![Odieman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a87d85/32.png) [@Odieman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odieman)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/34 "2000-10-03T17:44:08Z")
Frank Lloyd Wright was familiar with the work of Stanford White, who designed the original Madison Square Gardens, the second most famous New York sporting venue, next to Yankee Stadium, where Joe DiMaggio played. Stanford White is best known these days for having been shot to death by Harry Kendall Thaw, whose wife, Evilyn Nesbit, was having an affair with Stanford. This was an important component in the novel “Ragtime” by E.L. Doctorow. The movie Ragtime was the last film role of James Cagney. The original Madison Square Gardens is no longer standing, but it’s current successor has hosted many Intrepids in it’s parking garage. Keith ---
**Author:** ![struuter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@struuter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/struuter)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/35 "2000-10-03T17:44:29Z")
SZ, I would have to agree with screech on this. Can’t we lure you out? Crunchy, don’t say that! Nebraska isn’t Excitement Central, but there’s more to us than football. At least I hope that I inspire you to think of me as something other than a Huskerhead. I hope you were treated well here. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/36 "2000-10-03T17:52:30Z")
:gives up on the editing: What is this? Six Degrees of struuter’s 'Trepid-ation? 🙂 Okay, 2 degrees. If Frank Lloyd Wright was alive today, he’d probably drive an Intrepid, or at least design a sportier model. Um, FLW _is_ dead, right? (Can’t find my big book of famous people anywhere!) ---
**Author:** ![struuter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@struuter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/struuter)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/37 "2000-10-03T18:01:56Z")
screech, I just have to tell you how much I love to click on a thread when I know you’ve posted. 🙂 (FLW is dead.) Okay, back on with the…whatever this is… ‘Ragtime,’ by E.L. Doctorow, is on the Board of the Modern Library’s 100 Best Book of the Twentieth Century. Also on that list is ‘Native Son,’ by Richard Wright. Now…I’m determined not to use Wright again. I promise. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Zero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Saint\_Zero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Zero)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/38 "2000-10-03T18:22:59Z")
Well, shucks. I’m not as good as ya’ll, but I’ll give it a shot. Let’s see. Backwards! I drive a Voyager, made by the same company that builds the Intrepid. Chrysler was bought by Daimler/Benz, which is headquartered in Germany. Daimer/Benz uses the three pointed Star as their trademark, which one of Daimler’s sons encouraged him to use. It was trademarked in 1909, the same year that Mr. Wright came to Europe for a few years. Hm… Could the Intrepid be his fault? ---
**Author:** ![struuter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@struuter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/struuter)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/39 "2000-10-03T18:30:37Z")
Damn, Zero…nicely done. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2000, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352/40 "2000-10-03T18:47:30Z")
Quite impressive! I couldn’t have done that forwards, but backwards?! And you said you were _unworthy_… So we can somewhat logically blame Intrepids on FLW? [And thanks again, struuter.] And how’s the game so far, Crunchy? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-it/35352.md?page=3)