# Mourning the loss of the Chicago forum. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 30, 2015, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369 "2015-01-30T20:43:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369/41 "2015-02-02T15:43:27Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > Crazy idea here: How about a forum called “Local Issues” or something like that. Each thread starts with the name of a specific location, followed by the issue. For example: “CHICAGO: Why do cabs all of a sudden all have green license plates?” A “read this before posting!!!” sticky at the top would explain the procedure. > > That way, the forum can be populated by all sorts of threads from all over the country (indeed, the world, nay, the galaxy!) and therefore avoid appearing to be moribund. Yet people can still easily see which ones are relevant to their own locations, and participate accordingly. > > Just a thought! Seems to me there would be little incentive to check the forum just on the off chance that someone had started a thread about your locality. It’s easy enough to start locality specific threads in other forums. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369/42 "2015-02-02T20:01:01Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > If theres not, then I totally agree it was a third wheel. Unneeded. Tricycles need third wheels. ---
**Author:** ![Archeonomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Archeonomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archeonomist)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369/43 "2015-02-02T22:45:41Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Seems to me there would be little incentive to check the forum just on the off chance that someone had started a thread about your locality. > > It’s easy enough to start locality specific threads in other forums. Someone mentioned using tags to aid in sorting threads - in theory that sounded like a nifty solution. I haven’t seen a board that uses them, though so I’m not sure if would be at all workable here. Anyone knows more or can point to examples? Would it work with tapatalk? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2015, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369/44 "2015-02-03T02:55:41Z")
As someone who has lived just outside Chicago for most of my life, I did with the Chicago forum what my peers and I have always done with Chicago: I rarely went there unless I was paid to, and I was never paid to enter that forum. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2015, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369/45 "2015-02-03T15:04:53Z")
Now I want soup. From tits. In Chicago. Damn you all! ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2015, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369/46 "2015-02-03T16:43:55Z")
I spent more time in the forum than most non-Chicagoans (I was born there and have family there). You have to remember that the idea started with [SDMB Chicago](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=495873&highlight=sdmb+chicago), the Reader’s attempt to leverage its home base. That was going to be an entire mini-Dope, with its own column, multiple forums, etc. That lasted about 18 months, when Creative Loafing decided it would be better to keep the Chicago crowd [on the same board, but with a dedicated forum](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=567159&highlight=sdmb+chicago). The success of that forum would justify spinoffs for other Creative Loafing cities. That was in mid-2010. Therefore, the idea of a hometown Dope has been around for seven years and lasted through _three_ owners. Yet, it’s never really thrived. Seven years is a long time for a barely marginal idea to survive, so I say, “good try.” ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369/47 "2015-03-29T14:57:57Z")
Late to the party again, but: **Chicago Forum** , meh, what’s to talk about? Wind and deep dish pizza, that’s all I can think of. I could certainly get behind a **Philadelphia Forum** : cheesesteaks, Ben Franklin, cream cheese, George Washington, soft pretzels sprinkled with cheese, Thomas Jefferson…the list goes on and on, but, I can live without that forum, too. What the SDMB needs is the **Bullshit Forum**. This could serve a multi-function purpose and I believe it has the potential to become one of the most popular forums. This would be a forum to post: [ul] [li]Purposely Tall Tales: post your tall tales or Onion style “reports” in humorous fashion specifically for the reading pleasure of fellow dopers. Tall tales are sometimes posted in various threads on these boards, with the poster’s intent being not to deceive, but to humor. Most people get the joke, but some (the humor-impaired) don’t, and get their panties in a bunch over it. For example, the vast majority of my posts are impeccably true and factual, so I’m sure I have gained a reputation for being an erudite true & factual poster. On rare occasions, however, I like to write a bit of BS, simply for the fun of it. But, I’m always worried, \*if I make the humor too dry, will all the audience understand I’m just pulling their legs? \*[/li][li]Non-purposely Tall Tales: this is also the place to have moderators send posts/threads that are accused of being BS, and the poster did post to deceive. This would give dopers the opportunity to point sticks and make fun of the BS post/poster. The OP could either, at that point, ignore the ridicule, admit the accusation and join in on the fun, or try to defend his position with proof. Taking it a step further, if a kangaroo court poll vote determines that the OP was falsely accused, his post(s) can be sent back to the original forum, as redemption. All, in all, lots of fun for all. [/li] [li]Banned trolls and socks, and those suspended: Instead of just banning these characters, stick them in the **Bullshit Forum** for all to enjoy. They can troll all they want in there, because it’s now expected of them. I believe most trolls and socks will continue posting, even though they have been outed, simply because these types of people want an audience, any audience, even if it’s one that ridicules them. This will only work if the technology of the board allows people to be limited to posting in just one forum (I think it can, but I’m not sure?). Also, people suspended could be sent there for just the limited time of their suspension, before being released back into the general population. They can post in **Bullshit** at their own risk.[/li][/ul] If a **Bullshit Forum** of this type existed on the SDMB, I know I would spend time in there, and I’m confident others would, too. It should be set up with **Pit Forum** style language allowed, but the vitriol toned down. There are lots of talented writers here who could write swell Onion type content, plus we need a place to poke miscreants with sticks and laugh. Just my 2 cents (I want change). ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369/48 "2015-03-29T20:08:18Z")
Just to be clear, my last post was not a BS post. I believe a BS Forum would be great, and that’s no BS. ---
**Author:** ![jimbuff314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c57346/32.png) [@jimbuff314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbuff314)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369/49 "2015-03-29T20:29:00Z")
I don’t care for the name : **Bullshit Forum**. Say someone has been suspended and sent to the **Bullshit Forum**. When someone asks about them, are posters gonna say “Oh, s/he’s been sent to the **Bullshit Forum**?” Maybe a time or two. Posters are quickly going to verbify it, though, and say “Oh, s/he’s been **Bullshitted**.” Not cool. We need another name, one that can be verb-alized without fear of infamy. Something like “ **The Cage** ”. “Oh, s/he’s been **Caged**.” Follow me? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369/50 "2015-03-29T20:44:48Z")
> [@jimbuff314](#): > > We need another name, one that can be verb-alized without fear of infamy. Something like “ **The Cage** ”. “Oh, s/he’s been **Caged**.” Follow me? You could call it the Chicago Forum. “She’s been sent to Chicago.” ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369/51 "2015-03-29T21:02:20Z")
> [@jimbuff314](#): > > I don’t care for the name : **Bullshit Forum**. Say someone has been suspended and sent to the **Bullshit Forum**. When someone asks about them, are posters gonna say “Oh, s/he’s been sent to the **Bullshit Forum**?” Maybe a time or two. Posters are quickly going to verbify it, though, and say “Oh, s/he’s been **Bullshitted**.” > > Not cool. We need another name, one that can be verb-alized without fear of infamy. Something like “ **The Cage** ”. “Oh, s/he’s been **Caged**.” Follow me? Yes, **Jim…etc.** , I do follow you. But, remember probably ~half of this forum is meant for Dopers who are posting tall tales on purpose, non-deceitfully, for the enjoyment of the masses; not for those naughty Dopers being punished for bald faced lying. So, the name of the forum can’t sound too punishing for us good Dopers. If I tell a funny little story, I would be mortified if I had to say I was _“caged”_ like some kind of rabid hyena or something. No, that wouldn’t do at all. How about, as a compromise, we call it, **The Rubber Room**. I’d rather be thought of as a “nutty”, but well-meaning psychopath than a vicious rabid animal. It kind of strikes a balance between good and evil, sane and insane. Not too bad for us nice Dopers, but just bad enough for the not-nice ones. Do you follow me? Yes, of course you do. So, **Ed**!..Mr. **Zotti** , sir, you’ve now got two Dopers here endorsing the Rubber Room Forum. Please rotate those dials and push the buttons on that internet machine you have, and let’s get this forum up and running, ok? ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369/52 "2015-03-29T21:30:40Z")
Ed, make that three (3) Dopers here on board to endorse the **Rubber Room Forum**. **Musicat** is on board too, or soon will be. He may just need a little [sup]air quote[/sup]convincing[sup]air quote[/sup], that’s all. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369/53 "2015-03-29T22:35:21Z")
> [@Tibby or Not Tibby](#): > > What the SDMB needs is the **Bullshit Forum**. Bumping a very specific thread for some unrelated nonsense that the board admins won’t possibly ever go for? Lousy idea and crummy execution. And, yes, I’m still mourning the loss of the Chicago forum. There has been some recent giardiniera-related news that would have been nice to share locally, for example. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369/54 "2015-03-29T23:26:59Z")
IMO MPSIMS is exactly the Tall Tales forum. If you _really_ think your humor is so dry as to fool people, put a disclaimer at the bottom. Or try harder to be funny. And for the life of me I cannot understand why anyone would want to combine tall tales by our most talented writers with trollish commentary by our largest jerks. That seems to ensure zero audience because anyone even vaguely interested in one post type will be actively repulsed by the other. In short, young \*\*Tibby \*\*has IMO a truly poor idea, rightly to be ignored by all. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369/55 "2015-03-30T00:49:57Z")
So, you’re saying I’m not a good-bee and should be thrown in the Rubber Room? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369/56 "2015-03-30T01:16:27Z")
I am always careful to comment on a post, not a poster. You may play wherever; including the Latex Lounge if you so choose. It’s a proposed “adult” version of the Rubber Room. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369/57 "2015-03-30T01:56:28Z")
I’m really not interested in the kink you propose, but at least use a little decorum in here; poor **jnglmassiv** is in mourning after all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mourning-the-loss-of-the-chicago-forum/711369.md?page=2)