# Is it me or .... ? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 30, 2013, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552 "2013-08-30T00:51:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/41 "2013-08-30T04:15:19Z")
> [@Penny](#): > > Is it just me or are you folks needlessly verbose? I have to say, as a newb I’m finding it such a turn off to have to slog through so much faux intellectual posturing to get to the point. Is this how this place rolls? > > (Please be gentle. I’m new 🙂 ) So how is ‘faux stupid’ an improvement, exactly? Also, I think **Silver Fire** wins the thread… ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/42 "2013-08-30T04:16:26Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Ah, but you do you know you’re not in a holodeck or something of that nature? > > Cogito ergo sim. If I think not, am I not, I think not, don’t you think? [/Lisa Turtle] The funny thing is…she was right. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/43 "2013-08-30T04:17:09Z")
> [@Penny](#): > > Is it just me or are you folks needlessly verbose? I have to say, as a newb I’m finding it such a turn off to have to slog through so much faux intellectual posturing to get to the point. Is this how this place rolls? From what I’ve seen, this is not a board for posturing. There are too many genuinely intelligent people here for anyone to get away with faking it. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/44 "2013-08-30T04:23:10Z")
I’ve been here for ages, and my posture’s still somewhere between Cro Magnon and Tom Waits. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/45 "2013-08-30T04:45:57Z")
Don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya! ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/46 "2013-08-30T04:59:29Z")
I haven’t really noticed excessive verbosity around here. Does the OP have an example or two? ---
**Author:** ![Penny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8baadc/32.png) [@Penny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penny)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/47 "2013-08-30T04:59:41Z")
Most excellent! I am thrilled with these responses! Yes, I am new here. I registered with intention to post but alas, life arose. A dusty newb perhaps? I have no trouble with intellectualism or interesting ways of getting to know new people. “Hi I’m new” never really gets any attention. I apologize for my trolling but it’s the fastest way for me to put you in rows. There are some big subjects on this board that require due discussion but it is far more difficult to employ those big vocabularies to be pointed and concise. Simple isn’t always stupid. And yes, I know the difference. Anyhoo … hi! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/48 "2013-08-30T05:12:15Z")
So you start out by trolling us? That’ll go over well. ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/49 "2013-08-30T05:13:17Z")
Ho. ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/50 "2013-08-30T05:27:20Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > While brevity may often be the most efficient way of conveying an idea, some concepts are better served by fuller exposition For example, there is the classic question, ‘Have you stopped beating your wife? Answer “Yes” or “No.”’ If one answers ‘Yes’, then obviously he used to beat his wife. The implication of the answer ‘No’ is that he has been beating his wife, and is continuing to do so. Of course, ‘No’ would be correct if the man does not beat his wife and never has beaten his wife; he cannot stop beating her if he never started. Thus, a brief answer will not suffice for the innocent man. He needs to explain, against the instructions by the querent, that he has never beaten his wife. > > Additionally, many statements require background information in order to be understood, or not misunderstood. A person may observe behaviour amongst a certain group, which he does not observe in other groups. If his enquiry is brief, such as ‘Why do [these people] do [this]?’, then others will certainly chime in with examples that the person has not observed. They may point out that some members of the specified group do engage in the given activity, but that members of the group as a whole do not. It behooves the questioner to give some context to his query. For example, ‘I have noticed that some members of [this group] engage in [this activity]. By no means do I suggest that all or most [members of this group] do this. It occurred to me that this behaviour is something engaged in by some members of a subset of this group, as I have not seen it amongst members who appear to be from a different demographic. Could this be a cultural behaviour by this subset; behaviour which I have not seen amongst people who are not [members of this group]?’ To be sure, more background information or various disclaimers may be needed to ensure that one’s intentions are not misconstrued; but it’s better than the simple question as to why [Group X] engages in a certain activity. > > There is a concept of ‘simple answers for simple people’, which can lead to people believing that there are easy answers to very complex issues. We have seen, for example, how this adversely affects our political system. If we, as a group, tend to be somewhat verbose, it is only because we wish to provide context for our statements and arguments. TS;DR ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/51 "2013-08-30T05:28:12Z")
> [@Penny](#): > > Most excellent! I am thrilled with these responses! > > Yes, I am new here. I registered with intention to post but alas, life arose. A dusty newb perhaps? > > I have no trouble with intellectualism or interesting ways of getting to know new people. “Hi I’m new” never really gets any attention. I apologize for my trolling but it’s the fastest way for me to put you in rows. > > There are some big subjects on this board that require due discussion but it is far more difficult to employ those big vocabularies to be pointed and concise. Simple isn’t always stupid. And yes, I know the difference. > > Anyhoo … hi! 🙂 That’s great! Hi, **Penny**! Welcome to the boards! [Moderating] …where we have strict rules about trolling. And you’ve just violated them! Ima give you a warning for this now, instead of just flat out banning you, because I’m a big softie like that. I’d recommend you pour yourself a glass of warm milk and curl up with a copy of the registration agreement before you post any more. Any more crap like this, and we’re going to have to find out how well the SDMB can soldier on without your presence. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/52 "2013-08-30T05:33:56Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > There is a concept of ‘simple answers for simple people’, which can lead to people believing that there are easy answers to very complex issues. I believe this is the motto of the Fox News Message Boards (FNMB). > [@Max\_the\_Immortal](#): > > I haven’t really noticed excessive verbosity around here. Does the OP have an example or two? This business is well ended. My liege, and madam, to expostulate What majesty should be, what duty is, Why day is day, night night, and time is time, Were nothing but to waste night, day and time. Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit, And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, I will be brief: troll away. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Penny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8baadc/32.png) [@Penny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penny)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/53 "2013-08-30T05:44:06Z")
You know, there was a legitimate pit worthy rant in my “troll”. I just curled up with War and Peace so the reg agrement as riveting as I’m sure it is, will just have to wait it’s turn. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![HardlySanguine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HardlySanguine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HardlySanguine)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/54 "2013-08-30T05:48:05Z")
See, I’m thinking you just used that word “trolling” because everyone else was using it and you didn’t realize it was a Bad Thing (especially here). This is a perfect example of why sometimes verbosity is good. I think what you meant to say was, “I wanted to make a more interesting ‘Hello, I’m new post’ and brought up a topic that you had thought about before (And not one that was potentially controversial for controversiality’s sake).” Or maybe I’m just naive. ETA: Probably not the best idea to be snarky to mods when they’re moderating, though… ---
**Author:** ![Penny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8baadc/32.png) [@Penny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penny)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/55 "2013-08-30T05:51:34Z")
I like Twain and like to use the language of the people. He had a strong opinion on verbosity as well. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/56 "2013-08-30T06:13:40Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Aye, you’ll note that there’s nobody with a twitter account trying to summarize Proust, for example! There may be, but in that case, the prize will go to the girl with the biggest tits. (Which might well be Penny, come to think.) ---
**Author:** ![Penny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8baadc/32.png) [@Penny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penny)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/57 "2013-08-30T06:31:07Z")
Might be njtt. They have to be big to balance out my balls 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/58 "2013-08-30T06:53:03Z")
> [@Penny](#): > > I have no trouble with intellectualism or interesting ways of getting to know new people. “Hi I’m new” never really gets any attention. I apologize for my trolling but it’s the fastest way for me to put you in rows. “Put you in rows”: I’ve never heard that expression. What part of the world does it come from? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/59 "2013-08-30T07:08:45Z")
> [@Penny](#): > > “Hi I’m new” never really gets any attention. I apologize for my trolling but it’s the fastest way for me to put you in rows. And how’s that plan working out for you? ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552/60 "2013-08-30T07:36:30Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Or perhaps it’s _actual_ intellectualism and you’re not up to it? :rolleyes: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or/667552.md?page=4)