# Idle Thoughts **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [April 1, 2015, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512 "2015-04-01T16:36:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/221 "2015-04-02T16:23:30Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I don’t want a formal apology, but this is exactly the reason I hate practical jokes: it takes people’s best qualities - trust, friendship, charity - and punishes them for exercising them. Which makes them less likely to do so in the future. In a tiny, tiny way it does make the world a shittier place, and all for a brief and not-particularly-funny joke. Seriously? You think that people who are pranked are less likely to trust in future? If that were true I would stop falling for practical jokes, but I haven’t. People who quit trusting because of a silly joke with NO VICTIMS? I never met one. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/222 "2015-04-02T16:32:37Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > Seriously? You think that people who are pranked are less likely to trust in future? If that were true I would stop falling for practical jokes, but I haven’t. People who quit trusting because of a silly joke with NO VICTIMS? I never met one. Must just be me then. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/223 "2015-04-02T16:41:15Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Must just be me then. So, you no longer trust anyone, then? ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/224 "2015-04-02T16:44:33Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > Cross posting this to the MPSIMS thread too. > > Some backstory… > On Facebook, for the [last](https://www.facebook.com/ChrisLeeNeal/posts/1969225354031) [four](https://www.facebook.com/ChrisLeeNeal/posts/3648924105450?pnref=story) [years](https://www.facebook.com/ChrisLeeNeal/posts/10203582424304924?pnref=story) I’ve done this. Every April 1st, I do the whole “Okay, confession time. I’m really a girl. I’ve been a girl all this time” prank. Mostly because it’s extremely amusing to see some people always believe it, despite having seen many of my photos, talked with people who know me in real life, or who have even actually _met me_. > I even did in in 2013, but can’t find the FB post for it right now. > Anyway, it got to the point where I became sort of “known” for this joke and even had many people messaging me before the first asking me if I’m going to do it again this year. Some years I’ve considered not doing it and said this, but it always seemed to get a lot of “No, you must do it! It’s practically tradition now!” type replies. > Even this year, I did a callback to that old prank now, [by changing my FB photo to one of me in drag](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10206463046078668&set=a.1609493920970.80151.1344879340&type=1&theater) (yes, that’s really me). > > So, if you’re friends with me on FB (or been friends with me on there for awhile), this prank should come as no surprise to you. For those of you who aren’t, however, you can see that this prank is nothing new in terms of me doing it. So whether you think it’s funny and liked it or think it’s stupid, immature, and unfunny, I don’t really care or mind too much. It’s your right to think of it how you want. > > But (for the second and last time), I apologize to anyone who either got mad at finding out it was a joke or who thought it was in poor taste. Gender-based humor, complete with a “drag photo.” Huh. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/225 "2015-04-02T16:53:12Z")
How will we ever move on now that we live in the post-apocalyptic pranking society? Erect the Thunderdome! ---
**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:** [April 2, 2015, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/226 "2015-04-02T16:54:18Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > Gender-based humor, complete with a “drag photo.” > > Huh. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/227 "2015-04-02T17:02:36Z")
> [@GrandWino](#): > > :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: Right back at you. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/228 "2015-04-02T17:05:06Z")
> [@GrandWino](#): > > :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: How eloquent. I had the same thought Una did. If the prank/joke had actually been funny in the slightest, that might have been enough to overcome the fact that it’s borderline offensive, but in actuality it’s about as funny as watching paint dry. Publicly posting PMs about it is just the shitty icing on the cake. Incidentally, “sorry if you were offended” is not actually an apology. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/229 "2015-04-02T17:05:42Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > Gender-based humor, complete with a “drag photo.” > > Huh. The best joke in the known universe? Maybe not. But I’ve been around enough transexuals joking about the transvestites and vice versa to think its not all that unique to the Dope. Gender based humor? Heck, half (or more) of the jokes told around the GLCC could be classified as such right down to us straights being thanked for creating so many gay and lesbian children. I’m just not seeing it as all that big a deal; especially on April 1. Make the same joke July 25th and my mileage may be different. The part I do see as sad though is that this may mean the end of the traditional April 1 spoof here. That we’ve all screwed ourselves to darn tight that nothing can be fun or funny. That I will really regret. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/230 "2015-04-02T17:05:51Z")
Please, please people! Can we all stop being so blithe and take ourselves more seriously? ---
**Author:** ![Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fool_in_the_Rain)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/231 "2015-04-02T17:05:52Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > I would have wanted as many people to get one as I could, so I started with who was online at the time. > > **The thing is, I quickly got to about 100-300 people** , so I could only go with about that many. I really underestimated how many regular posters are on here. I was tired of ctrl-V-ing by the time I was done. I’m flabbergasted I made the top 100-300, didn’t think I rated much…lol ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/232 "2015-04-02T17:08:41Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > The part I do see as sad though is that this may mean the end of the traditional April 1 spoof here. That we’ve all screwed ourselves to darn tight that nothing can be fun or funny. That I will really regret. Nah, I think it just puts some pressure on to bring your A-game and make it something good. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/233 "2015-04-02T17:16:34Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Nah, I think it just puts some pressure on to bring your A-game and make it something good. Yes please. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/234 "2015-04-02T17:16:52Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > I had the same thought Una did. If the prank/joke had actually been funny in the slightest, that might have been enough to overcome the fact that it’s borderline offensive, but in actuality it’s about as funny as watching paint dry. Publicly posting PMs about it is just the shitty icing on the cake. > > Incidentally, “sorry if you were offended” is not actually an apology. FWIW I was not offended by it; I just didn’t see the humor. I’m in no way as thin-skinned as people like “GrandWino” may suppose I am. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/235 "2015-04-02T17:17:11Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Moderators are supposed to warn and ban people that play unannounced jokes or lie. _It is to laugh._ [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/hWP_q4os-5g/hqdefault.jpg "Daffy Duck: "Oh Oh very funny"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWP_q4os-5g) About the only thing they do, and enforcement is sporadic, is Note those who come up with a “joke” answer before a real answer in GQ. Mind you, once in a while if the “joke” answer suggest something actually dangerous “Sure, go ahead and take the whole bottle of pills, it’s work faster!” they will say something. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/236 "2015-04-02T17:21:47Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > I would have wanted as many people to get one as I could, so I started with who was online at the time. > > The thing is, I quickly got to about 100-300 people, so I could only go with about that many. I really underestimated how many regular posters are on here. I was tired of ctrl-V-ing by the time I was done. I still feel left out. ☹ 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/237 "2015-04-02T17:22:24Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Moderators are supposed to warn and ban people that play unannounced jokes or lie. “This sentence is a lie.” How should the moderators react? ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/238 "2015-04-02T17:24:56Z")
> [@Calatin](#): > > “This sentence is a lie.” > > How should the moderators react? I demand that paradoxes be added to the list of bannable offenses. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/239 "2015-04-02T17:29:08Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > _It is to laugh._ > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWP\_q4os-5g](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWP_q4os-5g) > About the only thing they do, and enforcement is sporadic, is Note those who come up with a “joke” answer before a real answer in GQ. Mind you, once in a while if the “joke” answer suggest something actually dangerous “Sure, go ahead and take the whole bottle of pills, it’s work faster!” they will say something. Jokes? Lies? Aren’t these all just [funny stories](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18222978&postcount=133) after all? ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512/240 "2015-04-02T17:33:33Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Incidentally, “sorry if you were offended” is not actually an apology. You’re absolutely right; that’s not an apology. That’s also not what \*\*Idle \*\*said. > [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > First of all and most importantly, I apologize sincerely to anyone who I might have pissed off. That wasn’t my intent. I’m very sorry to anyone who didn’t like it. > … > Again, I apologize to those of you who didn’t like it. and later > [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > But (for the second and last time), I apologize to anyone who either got mad at finding out it was a joke or who thought it was in poor taste. If you didn’t like the attempt at humor, that’s fine. But don’t put words in her mouth. That wasn’t a ‘fake apology’. It was an apology directed specifically at the people who were pissed off/didn’t like it/got mad/thought it was in poor taste, but \*not \*to anyone else (who, not being in the first group, presumably don’t require an apology). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts/716512.md?page=13)