# I'm not like other Dopers because… **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 9, 2004, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978 "2004-12-09T19:33:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/1 "2004-12-09T19:33:56Z")
Sometimes I feel like such a misfit here. I’m not American, which probably explains some of these, but: - I have never been in a Wal-Mart. - I have only the very vaguest notion what _MST3K_ might be. - I have no clue about computer programming. - I do not own any comic books. - I have no interest in _Star Trek_. - Or _Star Wars_. - Oh, or _The Lord Of The Rings_. - I have no clue about anime, or manga. Or what the difference is. Or even if there is a difference. - I’ve never seen _The Matrix_. - Or _24_. - I don’t get Weebl. Or Bob. - I can’t even remember how many times man has visited the deepest part of the oceans. Or when. - Or for how long. What sets you apart from the Dope community? ---
**Author:** ![lightingtool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/57b2e6/32.png) [@lightingtool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lightingtool)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/2 "2004-12-09T19:46:01Z")
-I didn’t do very well in school. -I know nothing (really, nothing) about computers or operating systems. -I don’t read all that much outside of the news. To make you feel better, **Colophon** , I also don’t know much about anime, I’ve never even heard of manga, I’ve never seen _24_, I don’t know about programming and don’t own any comic books. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/3 "2004-12-09T19:48:49Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > - I have only the very vaguest notion what _MST3K_ might be. > > - I have no clue about computer programming. > > - I do not own any comic books. > > - I have no interest in _Star Trek_. > > - Or _Star Wars_. > > - Oh, or _The Lord Of The Rings_. > > - I have no clue about anime, or manga. Or what the difference is. Or even if there is a difference. > > - I’ve never seen _The Matrix_. Right there with you, babe, on all these points! We can start out own Misfit Doper community. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/4 "2004-12-09T19:50:16Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > What sets you apart from the Dope community? Location, intelect, mastery of one subject. ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/5 "2004-12-09T19:50:56Z")
Well, I do like Trek and LotR, I’m an American and shop at Wal-Mart, but I’m with you on most of the rest of it. Don’t be so hard on yourself, we’re _all_ different here in some way or another. Me? I hate to debate or argue or anything else like that. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/6 "2004-12-09T19:53:26Z")
Well, **Colophon** , I can list almost everything you did, except for the Wal-Mart and Lord of the Rings part. You’re not missing much. Especially on the Wal-Mart front. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/7 "2004-12-09T20:00:42Z")
> [@yellowval](#): > > You’re not missing much. Especially on the Wal-Mart front. Well, that’s Arkansas off next summer’s holiday plans. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![kittenlm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ce7236/32.png) [@kittenlm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenlm)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/8 "2004-12-09T20:05:41Z")
Oh, this is the thread for me! - I am not as witty and clever as most people here - I hate debating / arguing / trashing people - I have a very vague idea of what anime is - I also have no comic books, nor have I ever read one - I know the bare minimum about computers - I hate Star Trek - And I actually _like_ Wal-Mart :eek: Like others have said, we’re all different here. These things just make me feel like a little bit of an outsider. On the other hand, I’m sure there are places here I fit in very well where others would feel left out. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/9 "2004-12-09T20:09:24Z")
I am a lousy, lousy, lousy debator. I’m always just too empathetic to the other side. “You know, that’s actually a very good point…” ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/10 "2004-12-09T20:10:04Z")
I’ve seen [the first series of] 24, but ditto to the rest. Are you a woman **Colophon**? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![nivlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3bc359/32.png) [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/11 "2004-12-09T20:40:25Z")
Colophon, Well, I’ve done, watched, or owned everything you didn’t do, watched, or owned on your list. But there are really no misfits because … I think that the common denominator of Dopers is the thirst for knowledge – to know more about EVERYTHING! Oh, and a willingness to share knowledge and opinions. Some do get a little carried away in the sharing part. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Jayn\_Newell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jayn\_Newell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayn_Newell)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/12 "2004-12-09T20:47:07Z")
\*I can’t work up enough venom for a decent pit thread except on a very, very few subjects. \*I don’t like _The Lord of the Rings_ \*I have never watched _MST3K_ \*I have never read any comic books, nor do I own any (Excluding manga, which I’m trying to build a collection of) \*I am not an expert on anything, and generally can’t give decent advice on any subject \*I don’t pay attention to the news. These boards are my main source of information regarding the outside world (and this is despite having a newspaper subscription). ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/13 "2004-12-09T20:52:28Z")
- I’m generally Conservative. - The only name I recognised from this year’s Grammy nominations is Ray Charles. - I don’t obsess over trivia, or politics, or music, or TV, or… - I’m really, down-deep, not that nice a person. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/14 "2004-12-09T20:52:21Z")
Check, on all the things on **Colophon** ’s list except Wal-Mart and MST3K. I know what anime and manga are, because my wife is a collector of both. But that’s all I know - I have no interest in it. (Anime is cartoons, manga is a graphic novel that would be anime if it was animated.) Other things: - I was unable to continue my education because of having to escape my family at 16. - I don’t think anybody else here was essentially destitute and homeless for large parts of 14 years. That’s why I’ve never mentioned it. You couldn’t imagine. - I can’t get interested in sports, and have never watched any game. - I can’t discuss movies or TV shows because I haven’t seen most of them. - I don’t know the first thing about politcs. The subject makes my eyes glaze over. - I’ve don’t know how to engage in a debate (so I stay out of GD). (I’m OK now! Got a job and a wife and a house and some toys, and like that.) ---
**Author:** ![Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Licentious_Ectomorph)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/15 "2004-12-09T20:59:49Z")
I couldn’t think of a clever/witty name. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/16 "2004-12-09T21:04:55Z")
What’s the big deal? We are all different!! Well, I’m not. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/17 "2004-12-09T21:20:46Z")
Oh, and I have never attended, and never plan to attend, a dopefest of any kind. Believe it or not, on that score, my reason is - It’s just a message board! ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/18 "2004-12-09T21:27:43Z")
> [@Lobsang](#): > > Oh, and I have never attended, and never plan to attend, a dopefest of any kind. > > Believe it or not, on that score, my reason is - It’s just a message board! What he said! (Although, I do think it would be funny — read “totally suicidal” — to enter “Dopefest” under “Reason For Visit” on a US immigration form…) And sorry, **gum** , but I am not a woman. Still, it’s good to hear that y’all ain’t a big bunch o’ computer-programmin’, role-playin’, comic-bock-collectin’ spods 😉 ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/19 "2004-12-09T21:31:27Z")
Originally posted by **Colophon** > [@](#): > > _And sorry, gum, but I am not a woman._ Don’t worry about that. We can’t all be perfect. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Aldebaran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Aldebaran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aldebaran)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978/20 "2004-12-09T21:32:09Z")
This is an easy one: 1. Not Made in the USA. 2. Don’t know English + have a birthgift I call twinbrother Dyslex. Who has something against languages using Latin script tob egin with. This combination makes that my posts have a unique outlook and it can make them also complete riddles for the readers. On a rather frequent base. 3. Muslim 4. Arab (father’s side) 3 and 4 = Very Bad Combination! 5. EU’er (mother’s side) Old Europe! 6. Live in the despised Middle East = 3+4+6 = Extremely Bad Combination!! 7. Wal-Mart ?? MST3K ?? computer?? and PC programming.??? comic books? If you want to say US ones, no clue about them. Star Wars??? anime, or manga ??. The Matrix.?? 8. How many times man has visited the deepest part of the oceans. Or when. Or for how long : As far as I know there are still parts where nobody ever went or is able to go. 9. Star Trek : Yess. Funny! 10. The Lord Of The Rings.: Just saw the first one, have the other ones but didn’t went as far as taking the time to look at them. 11. “24”. Yes. Not bad. The first was better then the second. I must have the third edition, I htink. Did not watch it. Salaam A [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-like-other-dopers-because/278978.md?page=2)