This is a ridiculous argument. If it were true, then there really wouldn’t be a need for that guide I linked to in my last post, would there?
Before you counter that the majority understands those in-jokes, let me point out that at one time, the majority did not. They had to be created at some time, and people got to know them by seeing them and asking “what the hell are those words doing there?”
Others then had to link to the obscure reference that produced the joke or otherwise explain it. That’s how ignorance is fought, after all: by spreading knowledge.
In itself a large number of people being annoyed at something on the internet isnt enough, as there is a large number of people on the internet who try way too hard to get the world to fit their preferences rather than adapting to it, and theres a much larger group who is willing to live and let live who dont get counted in the vote with that metric.
Adapting to them simply means you let them get more and more restrictive as time goes on, which in my view has been happening with this forum over the years, and unfortunately becomes self reinforcing as time goes on.
So something does get ‘lost’ when you bow to these kinds of demands too often in my view. The problem is its not something that shows up on a daily or weekly basis, but only over time.
I’m joining Bo at the quarry. A pitting is one thing. This thread on the other hand, is ridiculous and has already made me adopt the quarry theme to express amusement.
The difference is that most of those occurred organically, as a bunch of people picked up on something they found funny or interesting. I don’t remember a single case where one person spent dozens of posts inserting a catchphrase that almost no-one else knew about.
Anyway, the argument that your stupid catchphrase is no worse than those other stupid catchphrases is not one i find especially compelling, because i think that most of the catchphrases in the list you linked to are pretty dumb.
But, as i said earlier, you do what you want. I’m not arguing, and have never argued, that anyone should stop you.
No, they’re not. In fact, the rules specifically address this:
That is addressed in the rules as well.
[/QUOTE]
Then you guys aren’t doing a very good job of enforcing it.
Cite from today:
A quick search reveals that every post of his/hers I could find had such a sign-off. Not to pick on Shodan specifically; it was just the first that came to mind.
I think there usually is a fine line between two extremes whatever they may be; self-restraint & abuse, moderation & over-the-top, and ‘something getting lost’ & something becoming rampant.
I already mentioned this in the Pit thread (post #204), but the exact way you describe it is what happened.
After the story was told in the Autocorrect thread, several people found it funny and re-used the phrase in that thread. I read that thread, and carried it over to other threads. I can’t see where it makes a difference that I did most of the initial posting of it in other threads vs. several people posting it in other threads; everything starts somewhere. And then, with the Pitting and this thread, even more people posted it or a variation of some kind, just like people do with “burning your dog” or “1920s-style death ray” or “penis ensues”, etc.
Shodan isn’t breaking the rules. They specifically say a simple signoff in the format such as “Regards, Shodan” is permitted in every post. The rules do make a distinction between a simple signoff and a signature.
Hmm is there checkbox or something for those who have a signature to include it in the post? Is it something only Charter members see? I had no idea that was even an option, since I’m not provided with that choice (could also be due to me not having a sig and/or having disabled others).
Anyway, I was mistaken as I thought Wombat’s two questions were referring to the same issue, not realizing signatures can (presumably) be selectively included.
When you are posting, below the box you type in is a blue bar that says “Additional Options”. Under that is a box marked “Miscellaneous Options” with 3 check boxes. The first one is “Show your signature”, and by default it is unchecked.
Anyone can have a signature; it’s not limited to members or charter members.
I don’t have that option and I don’t see your signature (since I have them hidden). As for the former, I’m guessing it’s either because I have sigs hidden, or because I don’t have a sig myself.
I started off not caring much either way. But after reading what Bo has to say I realize it’s either a really stupid affectation or he is purposely doing it to piss people off. Since I hate affected people and those that purposely piss people off for their amusement, I now hate Bo.
