… that some of the most interesting people post to this MB. I enjoy reading them and I often wonder what this and that person would be like in real life.
At my job, I feel I am a fish out of water. Sometimes we are not that busy, but there seems to be no one to talk to, because they are either too young or their minds are only consumed with getting through their shift.(This is going somewhere pertinent, I promise!)
So I see all of these Doper-Meets posted in MPSIMS, but I have hesitated going to one near me, because, after reading all of the thread, it seems as if I am too old and would probably stand out like “turd in a punch-bowl” if you will pardon the expression.
So here’s the question: Would it be possible to somehow “create” a forum geared to age? Not to discriminate, but to further “enhance” a “meeting of the minds”?
This probably will move over to IMHO, but…
I would wager that many of the people who go to these Dopefests are NOT “youngsters”; that is, under, say, 30. I have never been to one, but that’s my supposition. There are a zillion people on this board, and it’s a very diverse place. There’s no need to feel like a fish out of water here; the “old” people can relate to things as easily as the “young” people can simply because we’re all trying to eradicate our own ignorance (as well as that of others, if we’re lucky). We can and do learn from each other here, and it would seem superficial to dvide the place on the basis of age.
Part of the enjoyment I get out of the boards is that I can associate with all sorts of people. Older, younger, female, male, etc.
Hell, man, I think it would be a hoot to meet you. And I’m 25. If you’re ever in Pennsylvania, I’ll buy you a beer, and you can tell me about the “old days” .
Anyways, 51 isn’t that old. Some of my best RL friends are much older than I am. There’s nothing wrong with that.
In fact, the Dopefest I went to the other day, we had people ranging in age from their 40’s to their teens.
Just go, man. Everyone is cool. You’ll have a good time.
Quasi, I’m 52 and I’ve been going to almost every one we’ve had here in Dallas for about a year and half. And we have lots of them. I’m the oldest there, but Beatle comes up from Houston sometimes and he’s almost as old as I am.
The main group has several in their 30s. Talking about things on the board gives a natural entry into conversations. You can find out a little something about the people you are meeting before hand by reading some of their posts.
I’m speaking of the group in Dallas, of course, but I’d expect it to be pretty much the same all over.
So, go to one or two, see what’s it’s like. They aren’t exclusive, just join in.
Sorry. Guess it does appear that I am prejudiced after re-reading my post. I apologize because it really isn’t that way in Real Life. Guess I must just be lonely.
Don’t worry about it; on the Internet, you’re never alone. Besides, think of it this way: Many of us posting here are just as lonely as you are, and that’s why we post seemingly thousands of messages each day!
What dantheman said. I know exactly how you feel Quasi (see my current sig). The internet’s great, and I get to relate to people, who are, on average, of at least equal intelligence to myself, but you know, ya just can’t take SDMB out to a nice place to share some drinks (computers and alcohol just don’t mix). Go to a dopefest, don’t worry about age (yours or theirs), you’ll meet some nice people. Heck! I’m trying to get a dopefest going in my area just so I can meet some people who can rub a coupla brain cells together. Sure, we may not hit it off, if it happens, but we sure as hell won’t if we don’t all meet.
I appreciate your words, and I did not mean to sound so prejudicial in my OP. I appreciate all of you, and I will take your advice and go to a SDMB meeting in the near future.
It could be worse - you could be gripped with fear that you are too ugly, and thus if you go to a Dopefest people will mock you and be mean to you. I recommend you go - old is cool.
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