# I object to JohnClay's very existence and everything he stands for **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 24, 2014, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965 "2014-07-24T19:57:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/61 "2014-07-25T14:46:23Z")
> [@JohnClay](#): > > Just wondering - what do you think my “view of the world” is? It has changed a lot over the years in my opinion… ranging from being manic to suicidal to having paranoid delusions - to thinking there is a hidden magical realm a bit like Harry Potter. I also used to believe that our world was very young - about 6000 years old and I believed that God was running the world. I suspect your view of the world is constantly changing, depending on your current mental state. However it appears that most of the time, you do not understand many of the unwritten rules of societal behavior. Or perhaps you do understand them, but don’t understand the value of following them so you deliberately ignore them. ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/62 "2014-07-25T14:53:23Z")
> [@JohnClay](#): > > I’d rather post the comments to friends on Facebook. BTW I’m not allowed to post certain personal topics on these boards but I can accept that. Though if I had a blog I could post anything but I don’t want to. I just want to keep posting on these forums. So, here’s an honest question for you. Given that a) you like getting replies, b) your posts that seem to get the most attention are ones that are now strictly forbidden topics, and c) you bemoaned the fact that earlier “allowed” threads (such as your videogame post) didn’t receive any attention until you specifically mentioned that fact, in a now-forbidden thread… How long do you think you can last operating under the new rules of what you can and can’t discuss? ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/63 "2014-07-25T15:20:53Z")
I used to engage him, but then I realized this was just enraging me to no purpose. I have found that an occasional mockification will still escape me, but I am trying to embiggen my soul to be above such pettiness. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/64 "2014-07-25T15:36:42Z")
For those calling for **JohnClay** to switch to blogging, while it may be good advice, may I draw your attention to MPSIMS and especially the MMPs which are possibly the most mundane, pointless things in the history of the universe and would be far more appropriate for a blog, Twitter or Facebook. I don’t like those threads, so I don’t read them. ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/65 "2014-07-25T15:41:44Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > For those calling for **JohnClay** to switch to blogging, while it may be good advice, may I draw your attention to MPSIMS and especially the MMPs which are possibly the most mundane, pointless things in the history of the universe and would be far more appropriate for a blog, Twitter or Facebook. I don’t like those threads, so I don’t read them. While I understand what you are saying, those are all part of one thread. I think part of the beef is that **JohnClay** sees fit to open a new thread for every single thought that crosses his mind. If he would just make one “ **JohnClay** ’s Thoughts” thread and stick to it, I don’t think people would mind as much. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/66 "2014-07-25T15:43:07Z")
**John Clay** is mentally ill. That’s what everybody has to realize. The guy really does have a mental illness. That’s not an excuse, or even a plea for kindness; it’s a very brief “how to” on how to deal with the guy. The dude’s got a mental illness, that’s why he posts the way he does. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/67 "2014-07-25T15:52:02Z")
> [@armedmonkey](#): > > **John Clay** is mentally ill. That’s what everybody has to realize. The guy really does have a mental illness. That’s not an excuse, or even a plea for kindness; it’s a very brief “how to” on how to deal with the guy. > > The dude’s got a mental illness, that’s why he posts the way he does. And one of the reasons people get frustrated with him is that he’s unable to just stop being ill. And if you think about it… of course he can’t. [Yes, he also has an endless supply of horrible things he’s said to his wife, who must have a lot of problems of her own.] It’s one thing to ignore advice - and if there’s one thing that drives Dopers crazy, it’s when their advice gets repeatedly ignored. But advice doesn’t really penetrate if you have a disability that has very strong effects on how you see the world. I don’t know if **JohnClay** can do better than he does, but it seems to me that it’s very unlikely he’ll improve much and if he does I don’t think the SDMB will have much to do with it. That’s one of the reasons we tell people that this board is not a substitute for things like therapy. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/68 "2014-07-25T15:53:51Z")
> [@JohnClay](#): > > Just wondering - what do you think my “view of the world” is? It has changed a lot over the years in my opinion… ranging from being manic to suicidal to having paranoid delusions - to thinking there is a hidden magical realm a bit like Harry Potter. I also used to believe that our world was very young - about 6000 years old and I believed that God was running the world. It’s good that you’re views are evolving, and I wish you all the best. As long as you continue to share, I’m happy to read and respond where appropriate and I assume those who do not want to read your stuff will figure out that they are not required reading. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/69 "2014-07-25T16:12:20Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > But advice doesn’t really penetrate if you have a disability that has very strong effects on how you see the world. I don’t know if **JohnClay** can do better than he does, but it seems to me that it’s very unlikely he’ll improve much and if he does I don’t think the SDMB will have much to do with it. That’s one of the reasons we tell people that this board is not a substitute for things like therapy. Except, where do you draw the line, between someone who has a genuine mental illness and someone who’s being a jerk? Most jerks can’t help but act like a jerk – they were born/raised that way. FWIW, the only thing I find really offensive about **JohnC’s** posts is the way he puts down his wife in public, and how he airs intimate details about their relationship that should remain private. That kind of thing’s utterly disrespectful. OTOH, it does appear that his wife’s just as crazy as he is, and doesn’t know better than to just put up with it. The two seem to be made for each other – like they each found someone really special. Which, of course, makes me jealous. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/70 "2014-07-25T16:12:28Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > Not really, but I thought Ellen Cherry’s [mod note](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17577027&postcount=19) was hilarious. > > Anyway, dude is annoying. Get a blog, already! Thanks. I’ll be here all week. ---
**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:** [July 25, 2014, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/71 "2014-07-25T16:13:31Z")
If a cow got the chance, he’d eat JohnClay and everyone he cares about. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/72 "2014-07-25T16:16:46Z")
> [@Calatin](#): > > While I understand what you are saying, those are all part of one thread. I think part of the beef is that **JohnClay** sees fit to open a new thread for every single thought that crosses his mind. If he would just make one “ **JohnClay** ’s Thoughts” thread and stick to it, I don’t think people would mind as much. No, they’re not. There’s a MMP thread every week. But maybe a single thread for such musings is a good idea. > [@buddha\_david](#): > > Except, where do you draw the line, between someone who has a genuine mental illness and someone who’s being a jerk? Most jerks can’t help but act like a jerk – they were born/raised that way. > > FWIW, the only thing I find really offensive about **JohnC’s** posts is the way he puts down his wife in public, and how he airs intimate details about their relationship that should remain private. That kind of thing’s utterly disrespectful. OTOH, it does appear that his wife’s just as crazy as he is, and doesn’t know better than to just put up with it. The two seem to be made for each other – like they each found someone really special. Which, of course, makes me jealous. :mad: If he has to air some of that stuff (and it really can help) it’s probably better that he does it with strangers than mutual friends. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/73 "2014-07-25T16:25:25Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > There’s a whole lotta people on this board that should get a blog or a diary. > > Dear Diary, > > I am not gay. > > Sincerely, > JohnClay. [A relevant classic from The Onion.](http://www.theonion.com/articles/why-do-all-these-homosexuals-keep-sucking-my-cock,10861/) ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/74 "2014-07-25T16:34:20Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > No, they’re not. There’s a MMP thread every week. But maybe a single thread for such musings is a good idea. No, my point was that it is a place where everyone chimes in with mundane observations / statements. **JohnClay** doesn’t participate in those, instead choosing to create a new thread for every statement / thought that crosses his mind. The weekly MMP threads are for everyone, where **JohnClay’s** threads serve to put the focus solely on him. I think the volume and content of his threads are what people find “note-worthy,” which is why I suggested he consolidate the numerous postings and make a thread along the lines of “ **JohnClay’s** Thoughts.” He could update it as he sees fit and it actually might provide some insight in tracking his story all in one thread, as opposed to having to search for all previous threads started by him and piecing it together that way. Of course, now that certain content is “off-limits,” this suggestion might not be applicable. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/75 "2014-07-25T16:44:02Z")
Yeah, you know what? I’ve got enough Sympathy Vampires IRL to bother with this one on the Dope. Troll or not, the desperate efforts at validation irritate the shit out of me. “Here are the threads I’ve started in the last…” Are you fucking kidding me? Nobody fucking cares dude. How about you just contribute and not draw attention to yourself? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/76 "2014-07-25T16:51:33Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > Except, where do you draw the line, between someone who has a genuine mental illness and someone who’s being a jerk? Most jerks can’t help but act like a jerk – they were born/raised that way. Short answer? It’s very difficult. Slightly longer answer: it’s very, very difficult and might be impossible. > [@Morbo](#): > > Yeah, you know what? I’ve got enough Sympathy Vampires IRL to bother with this one on the Dope. Troll or not, the desperate efforts at validation irritate the shit out of me. “Here are the threads I’ve started in the last…” Are you fucking kidding me? Nobody fucking cares dude. How about you just contribute and not draw attention to yourself? Also understandable. They’re annoying as shit, and **buddha\_david** is right about the constant violations of his wife’s privacy. > [@Bozuit](#): > > If he has to air some of that stuff (and it really can help) it’s probably better that he does it with strangers than mutual friends. The only good place to do it would be _a therapist’s office_ because that’s the only place where anything that might lead to any kind of improvement would happen. The problem with doing it on this board is that he gets attention for doing crappy things and then seems to feel he gets absolved by admitting them, so then he goes out and does them some more and then comes back to post about them for more attention. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/77 "2014-07-25T16:59:10Z")
**JohnClay** is creepy and annoying, but I’m willing to overlook it for the rest of time if he promises to not ever have children. For me, that’s where it crosses the line from “man, his poor wife, what was she thinking?” to “that poor child, what kind of piece of shit monster brings a kid into that situation?” Get a vasectomy, **JohnClay** , and I’ll be on your side forever and ever, no matter how weird or nutty you are. Seriously. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/78 "2014-07-25T17:22:55Z")
> [@armedmonkey](#): > > The dude’s got a mental illness, that’s why he posts the way he does. What’s your excuse? ---
**Author:** ![hyden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/35a633/32.png) [@hyden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hyden)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/79 "2014-07-25T18:51:23Z")
> [@JohnClay](#): > > On second thoughts I have been misleading several times - I used American spelling so that people might not figure out what country I come from. But that’s it as far as I can remember. Early, in your introspective post, you mentioned city names that sort of gave away that you were not from/in the US. Also, the using the phrase ‘at university’ as opposed to ‘at college’ helped confirm as well. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965/80 "2014-07-25T19:01:13Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > **JohnClay** disturbs the hell out of me, so I try to stay away. And that’s all I’ll say on the subject for now, because I’m told we’re not allowed to publicly say who’s on our Ignore lists. You can in the Pit, I believe. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-object-to-johnclays-very-existence-and-everything-he-stands-for/693965.md?page=5)