Oh Hell No. When I’m lurking, I’m Lurking!
Well, I lurked for several months after taking about a year off from even checking in. I finally paid to be a member (actually, my membership was paid by another) back in April or May this year, but had been lurking (in the sense of just reading) for the fun of it with no malice aforethought.
What’s your motive in Lurking, Nic2004?
Am I the only person who sees the irony here? A thread about people who don’t make a habit of posting much has gone for two pages. It’s kind of funny when you think about it. Or maybe not. Hmm, I think I’m starting to see why I don’t post as often as I want to.
I must admit it does have the ring of Anarchists United or Mimes Speak Out, but it’s rewarding to see so many playing along, yourself included.
I’m hoping to have at least one lurker for every month since whenever, 1999 or before?
Speaking of which, here’s an update:
Gundhilde Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Posts: 219
BelZarak Charter Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 72
Elret Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 316
SP2263 Charter Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 330
Noelq Charter Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 67
Nausicaa Charter Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 109
MoodIndigo1 Charter Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 245
Hirka T’Bawa Charter Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 176
Nordic Pacer Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 60
dcordell1960 Charter Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 45
Fredescu Charter Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 28
Kyyrewyyoae Charter Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 121
Arien Charter Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 98
CowPatty Charter Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 23
Vihaga Charter Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 6
Av8trix Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 3
Mgcklmoon Charter Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 45
Phantoms Charter Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 17
swanky_glue Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 59
kushiel Charter Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 165
Ice Machine Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 12
pipperroo Charter Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 41
Arrimus_2 Charter Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 2
WVmom Charter Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 238
hopesperson Charter Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 20
AnatomicallyCorrect Charter Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 92
wenonahbone Charter Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 69
david8686a@netscape.net Charter Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1
Of Cabbages and Kings Charter Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 20
PeachNoMore Charter Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 20
Tisha Charter Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2
Notorious Nik Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 51
baileygrrrl Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 17
MissDisaster Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 36
Little Rachael Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5
yohan go Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 15
CantUseMyRealName Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 27
WOOKINPANUB Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 48
leandroc76 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 45
Crab Rangoon Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3
metj Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1
Im a lurker. Ive tried overcoming it, and am beating my fear, but sometimes you guys are intimidating!
The reason I posted here is because it was mostly lurkers, so I didn’t feel like I was jumping in with the big dogs. It’s like as lurkers we are on some even footing. I look at it as a training ground for myself to have some confidence to post more often in more threads when I have something to add to the conversation.
Thanks Zeldar for providing a space here for me to do that. I feel so included with the other Lurkers. *
*runs back to her hiding place under her rock
Another lurker checking in.
You’re quite welcome, swanky_glue, and I hope not just you but others who have spoken up will find it easier to contribute to whatever threads strike your fancy. There’s a fine line between posting “ditto” or “me, too” and adding just a few words to that reply that indicate you’ve thought about the topic and, even though others have said what you might have and perhaps “better” than you might have if left to your own words, the OP may gain some support from hearing from you.
Sometimes, the replies will come down heavily on one side of an issue to the point that a dissenting view really puts you in a weird position. I have refrained from comment on such topics just to avoid feeling like an outsider. But I usually feel that I’ve cheated myself by not voicing my real opinion. I’m not advocating speaking up on every thread, far from it, but when you do have an opinion and the issue really speaks to you, why not say so?
In any case, thanks again for stepping out.
I started reading these boards about a month or two before the report of WallyM7’s death was posted.
Dopers nearly always spring to mind whenever I am away from the computer and want to know something or want to hear opinions about something. I truly respect this community.
I am humbled by the knowledge Dopers possess. For a big part of my life, I was the one people went to to for bits of trivia, spelling assistance, humour, etc. Everyone wanted to be my partner in Trivial Pursuit. No one could beat me at Balderdash. I was very used to that. Then along came the Internet. My ego was knocked down a bit, but I now can’t live without the Internet, and I have discovered that I am more average than I thought. And that’s all ok.
I learn so much here, that I am content just to sit and read and learn. Many others have posted that if they do see an opportunity to jump in with a comment or fact, they discover that several other posters have very eloquently made the same point. That’s what happens with me.
I agree with this 100% I respect and admire this community so much - and they are always on top of things. Am I worthy to be here? Who knows?
I remember the SuperBowl Wardrobe Malfunction Fiasco… I emerged from a nap directly after half time, and my DH was sitting on the couch with his mouth hanging open. “I think… I think I just saw someone’s boob! I think it was… Where would I found out this soon if that is what I saw?”
I looked at him and said, “I know exactly who would know.” 
And sure enough, not five minutes later, there were three threads dedicated to it already.
This is too true! I can recall several news items that were posted here (often in several threads) before CNN, Fox News, MSNBC or any of the broadcast networks had it even in crawls, much less “breaking news.”
There are quite a few “newshounds” whose main raison d’etre seems to be to post weird news and amusing stories, often without comment or elaboration, and if that sort of thing is big with you, just check in and get the scoop here.
What’s best is that more than just the story, you get interpretation that’s at least as well thought out as Matt Lauer and Katey Couric will have.
wanders in, waves, wanders back out
Long time lurker (even before my official join date) and proud of it!
Lurking here, too. We definitely need a 12 step program. This is the 2nd day in a row where I should have been doing billing and spent the whole morning here instead. When my receivables don’t come rolling in, can I blame the SDMB?
Another lurker checking in.
Man, I was so excited to be the longest lurker but Gundhilde had to come along and put me in second, and I know there’s people out there with less than my .05 post/day count. I do have on thing going for me though. I’ve spent a third, yes a whole third, of my life on the Dope. I’m 21 and I’ve been here for at least 7 years (rounded up for the AOL days). I’m not sure if that’s something to be proud of, but I definitly have no regrets. I’ve learned a lot quietly reading the questions and debates, and MPSIMS is always good for a laugh, even if I have nothing to add.
Fantastic record, Mundo, and one that’ll be hard to beat. It’ll be a real challenge to find a younger/older Lurker with even fewer posts who has a higher percentage of his/her life devoted to SDMB.
Do you happen to know of fellow Lurkers from the AOL days?
This is probably as good a time as any to de-lurk. Or un-lurk.
Beautiful! Just plain beautiful.
shhhhh!
I’m not really here.
I’m 22, been here since I was 16.
So, you did just barely beat me in proportion of life devoted to The Dope! shakes your hand heartily Nice work, young whippersnapper.