# Lurker poll:Why don't you post? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 25, 2007, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241 "2007-12-25T23:46:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Octalcode](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Octalcode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octalcode)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/41 "2007-12-26T13:47:40Z")
Ex-lurker here. I really don’t find this board intimidating. I lurked for 2 years or so, and finally paid up as a Christmas gift to myself. I really like the banter here, and I like how I’ve really learned a lot. My first few posts as a member gave me a warm reception, but I’ll only post if I feel I have something worthwhile to contribute - maybe. I have two distinct careers - 35 as a machinist, and 30 as semi-pro and studio musician. So if something comes up in those subjects, I’ll kick in a comment or two. Really don’t care is someone doesn’t like my post. People post stuff that I don’t like, and I’m sure it doesn’t bother them. ---
**Author:** ![Octalcode](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Octalcode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octalcode)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/42 "2007-12-26T14:41:09Z")
I also notice there are over 570 views here, and only 40 replies. Come out and show yourselves, lurkers !!! ---
**Author:** ![puppygod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@puppygod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puppygod)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/43 "2007-12-26T14:52:22Z")
Among other reasons: - usually other posters answered factual questions already - I got quickly bored by discussions and don’t feel like coming back to repost my opinion for fourth time to remind “hey, guys, we already talked about this on page two” - English is my second language and I know that sometimes I can be misunderstood (and of course hi Opal!) - I’m better at listening than talking - I don’t care enough to pit somebody or something - etc. Well, I’m trying to post a little more, so maybe days of my lurkdom has ended. ---
**Author:** ![Buckwheat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@Buckwheat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buckwheat)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/44 "2007-12-26T15:30:27Z")
After I make one of my rare posts, I re-read it and see that it can be interpreted completely different than how I meant it, or worse, it can be interpreted as some smart-ass reply. Then I slink away and hope nobody gets the wrong idea about me. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveroptic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiveroptic/32/8257_2.png) [@Fiveroptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveroptic)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/45 "2007-12-26T16:14:10Z")
And just what the hell is _that_ supposed to mean?! Nevermind, you can answer in the Pit thread I just started about you. I’m kidding **Buckwheat** , I’m kidding! Yikes, now I know why I don’t post very often. ---
**Author:** ![as\_u\_wish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6f9a4e/32.png) [@as\_u\_wish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/as_u_wish)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/46 "2007-12-26T16:14:32Z")
I’ve been reading the Dope nearly daily since “the beginning.” So why the really pathetic post count? Probably the biggest reason is that I do a lot of my reading at work where I can read but cannot log on and post. By the time I get home, the moment for “appropriate posting” seems to have passed. I have a number of proud moments–including recently assisting Fetus in his re-naming efforts, helping with the rewriting of Lord of the Rings, and a well-received post in the funniest things that happened during sex. Mostly I tend to offer rather matronly and preachy advice/opinions (see the Catholic sex haver thread)–it’s a mom-thing. A lot of the time I don’t think I can add much to the discussion. For example, in threads where people post the results of an on-line quiz (how many 5-year olds can you beat?), I can’t see anyone caring about my results. I’m fairly content to be one of the nearly anonymous teeming millions. I add a morsel or two when I can. I’ll admit to being a bit envious, though, of the people who join the Dope with a splash and quickly become well known (sometimes beloved, sometimes annoying). I just haven’t been able to think up something clever enough (or notorious enough) to get really noticed. “Hey, look at me…over here…I’m invisible.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Buckwheat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@Buckwheat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buckwheat)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/47 "2007-12-26T16:37:47Z")
[QUOTE=Fiveroptic] And just what the hell is _that_ supposed to mean?! Nevermind, you can answer in the Pit thread I just started about you. I’m kidding **Buckwheat** , I’m kidding! Yikes, now I know why I don’t post very often. [/QUOTE] Now see, I loved this! It made me laugh. You should post more often **Fiveroptic** ---
**Author:** ![JustThinkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@JustThinkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustThinkin)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/48 "2007-12-26T18:08:59Z")
'Cause all the points get covered before I get to the topic – just like with this thread. :smack: 😃 Mostly - I just don’t have a lot to say. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/49 "2007-12-26T18:22:03Z")
I lurked for forever before I subscribed. Mainly for the reasons already listed - it was all a bit intimidating and I felt like I didn’t have much to add to any of the conversations that hadn’t already been said. MPSIMS is a good way to stick your toe in the waters. Especially the MMP. 🙂 We don’t bite. They’re more like love nibbles. ---
**Author:** ![Octalcode](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Octalcode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octalcode)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/50 "2007-12-26T18:36:11Z")
[QUOTE=HazelNutCoffee] MPSIMS is a good way to stick your toe in the waters. Especially the MMP. 🙂 We don’t bite. They’re more like love nibbles. [/QUOTE] Now that brings a question. What is MMP? ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/51 "2007-12-26T18:49:42Z")
If **HazelNutCoffee** is giving out love nibbles in MPSIMS, I’m heading over there right now. ---
**Author:** ![Rascal\_s\_Mom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a698b9/32.png) [@Rascal\_s\_Mom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rascal_s_Mom)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/52 "2007-12-26T18:50:32Z")
Longtime lurker, first time poster. Ah, hello? I too am intimidated. Please be kind. I too have lurked because though I am apparently intelligent, others come off as much more so than I am, and more eloquent as well. ---
**Author:** ![Flipshod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f19dbf/32.png) [@Flipshod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flipshod)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/53 "2007-12-26T19:23:54Z")
I lack the low post count cred. of some here already, but the answer is the same–I can read much faster than I can post–so I read and almost always find someone else who has been paying closer attention and has already answered anything I could add. The thing is for you posters, we ARE out here. The truly silent (minority/majority?). ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/54 "2007-12-26T19:28:21Z")
I must be one of the leaders in posts-per-year (low score is better, like in golf, right?) I tend to get too emotionally involved in my posts, which is odd since I’m not a terribly emotional person. Especially true in the religious threads, where (at one time) I was answering a fair number of the Islam questions. A lot of times posting creates anxiety in me, for some reason. I have expert-level knowledge and experience in several (very) diverse areas, yet I felt a lot of self-imposed pressure to be both perfect and unassailable in my posts. And I think at least a little bit of it is that, from my perception, the board has more flamers than before. In years past, I think I could have participated in intelligently and objectively discussing many issues; now, it seems there are a lot more people either thread-shitting or being a recreational asshole. I have no need for that in my day, so instead I rarely post, though I read every day. And it saddens me. ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/55 "2007-12-26T19:31:28Z")
Is it my imagination or do some of these lurkers have some of the most clever usernames on the board? Not fair! You guys should be posting so I can have a smile when I see your usernames! ---
**Author:** ![Ms.Pumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a87d85/32.png) [@Ms.Pumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms.Pumpkin)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/56 "2007-12-26T21:46:52Z")
I personally lurked for a long time because it seemed like everyone was already friends with everyone else(well, for the most part - I DO read pit threads!) and nobody would care what I had to say and would probably ignore me, anyway. I still feel that way sometimes, but screw it, I post anyway! 😛 Actually, I’ve found people here really nice for the most part, so I’m glad I decided to take the leap from lurking to membership. Special welcome to a fellow Mainer, **BrknButterfly**! ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/57 "2007-12-26T23:31:46Z")
[QUOTE=Hostile Dialect] If **HazelNutCoffee** is giving out love nibbles in MPSIMS, I’m heading over there right now. [/QUOTE] Only to the newbies. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2007, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/58 "2007-12-26T23:37:59Z")
[QUOTE=Octalcode] Now that brings a question. What is MMP? [/QUOTE] Monday Morning Post. It’s just a thread where people post chit-chat that doesn’t merit its own thread. A new thread is started every Monday morning, hence the title MMP. ---
**Author:** ![UncaStuart](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uncastuart/32/404_2.png) [@UncaStuart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncaStuart)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2007, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/59 "2007-12-27T01:58:30Z")
Although I spend time every day reading a lot of the threads, I am afraid to commit to interacting in them because I know that once started, I would spend more time than I could afford to do it “right.” ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2007, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241/60 "2007-12-27T02:03:45Z")
I urge more of you folks to post more often. We need some new blood around here. I started posting here because there were things I felt I could say here that I couldn’t say IRL. CRAZY THINGS! Unconventional things. Smart ass things. I have a sense of freedom here that I don’t have anywhere else – well, not since I was in college many years ago getting drunk and stoned regularly. Also, please don’t worry about being ignored. Most of the threads I start get half a dozen or less reponses. Many get zero responses. At least half of the comments I make don’t draw direct responses. I like to imagine they make a contribution anyway – just because someone hasn’t actually quoted you doesn’t mean your post doesn’t influence their response. I also find a degree of comfort in knowing how many jackasses are prolific posters here. If they can be shameless attention whores, so can I! Also, as encouragement to you and because I haven’t stopped bragging about it yet, participating in this board has led directly to me being [world famous for several weeks this summer.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=431467&highlight=Derleth) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lurker-poll-why-dont-you-post/431241.md?page=4)