I have mentioned the SDMB to family, and Cecil Adams’ columns to many others.
It’s difficult trying to explain the boards, and sometimes I wonder if my mention of it to relatives gives them the impression that it’s like a religious cult or something.
Of course, I never viewed it as a cult… that is, until I went to my first Dopefest and learned the horrible truth :eek:
I haven’t recommended anyone come here, because I don’t know anyone who frequents message boards.
My family knows about it, because I often bring up topics I am interested in discussing with them that I found on here. (I think I refer to it as “that message board I go to”. :p)
I don’t keep it a secret. I mention it sometimes when discussing things of interest to me which have been intelligently discussed here. I get some looks. Oh well.
Naw, you ain’t bad. You just have a well-developed sense of privacy.
I’ve often sent links to online friends of threads that they would find interesting, but I haven’t begged anyone to join in a long while.
My mo and sister know about it, but I don’t think they ever come here and look around. A couple of my real life friends post, and another registered but was apparently purged from the system. I occasionally talk about it on my livejournal, and I think I have a link, so Rashad may or may not know about it.
I never try to explain dopefests. Course, this is especially easy considering Boston is notoriously lacking in them…
One more closet doper who quotes SDMB material as from “Somewhere on the Internet”
It’s easier that way. I think that there are several factors that are probably needed before someone becomes an active member, and most of my co-workers or friends do not fit one or another. For example, one person might be totally bored by the q&a style that is the lifeblood of the SD column; another might not have computer access; yet another might find it weird having a hidden identity on a board.
I feel a bit of guilt since my co-workers know nothing of this place: My monitor faces away from my office door, so when I have fifteen SDMB windows open and a co-worker passes by, he or she cannot see what I am doing. I have had more than one person comment on how dedicated a worker I am, giving me pangs of guilt for keeping the true nature of my lunch-time “work” a secret.
Ah, no. You aren’t bad. I don’t encourage anyone I know to to come here. I would be a totally different poster if I knew that everything I said would be scrutinized by my friends and family.
I’ve mentioned it to a couple of friends, but since they don’t have computers at home and don’t even care to use them at work–nor would they make the time for it–they just blink and forget what I told them.
I don’t keep it a secret on purpose, but I do consider it a privilege. Sometimes I say things to my friends like “well, I was reading on my message board the other day that blah blah blah blah …” If anyone ever said “wow, that sounds so cool!” I’d let them in on the secret.
So far, mostly, people just look at me funny. So I figure they don’t deserve to be here.
Mr. Del is a huge fan of the Cecil Adams books, but for whatever reason, isn’t at all interested in the message boards. He does read the main web site regularly. Go figure.
I have another friend, actually the person who first introduced me to the Straight Dope column years and years ago. She recently moved to a new city, and complained that it was hard to meet people. It’s an area with a fair amount of Dopefests, so I thought she might like the boards, and they would also be a way to make some new friends. She’s very internet-centric, so this would be a good match, right? Again, not interested. The mind reels.
When I post on these boards, it’s either ‘hit or miss’. Sometimes I don’t come off as being a complete idiot, and then I have some bad days where I just say some of the most dimwitted things. I don’t think I could live with anyone I actually know stumbling across some of the stupid threads I’ve written, and nonsensical replies I make.
Then there are times when I can be somewhat clever. When I do come up with something I’m proud of, I often try to work it into conversations I have with people in real life.
I swear, I’ve never known anyone with so many “ups and downs” as me.
OT, I think the people here have gotten a lot nicer, and more understanding to people like me. Or maybe I’m just learning. Whatever the case, I think these boards have really helped me in certain social situations. So… THANKS!!
I don’t tell anyone about this place by name. I often mention “The message boards”, and leave it at that. Most don’t seem interested, and that’s fine. I try to make it clear that I am discussing interesting things like current events and art (lest they think I am doing cybersex, or something) but that is it.
In fact, I am so possessive about this place that I when a few people have tried to pry the URL from me, but I won’t tell. Let them find their own message boards, dammit! I am almost positive that at least one person has looked this board up specifically to find me (just to be nosy) and yes, that pisses me off. But there is nothing I can do about it.
Fortunately, knowing that people will be nosy, and knowing that the Internet is not exactly a private place, I don’t reveal any deep dark secrets, and never have. However, if a few people were to find this board and read specific posts of mine (which are few and far between) they might recognize themselves in what I write. (As in, “I have this passive-aggressive friend…”) But that’s too damned bad, I guess. That’s what you get for being nosy! 