# No longer fighting Ignorance, now encouraging it. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [April 8, 2016, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557 "2016-04-08T16:37:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/1 "2016-04-08T16:37:59Z")
For this post: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=19242122#post19242122](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=19242122#post19242122) **Captain Kirk Hit with $170-Million Paternity Suit.** _No, sorry, Captain Kirk is a fictional character. No one is suing him._ IvoryTowerDenizen **Warning Issued DrDeth you’ve been told to knock this behavior off before. It’s deliberate, it’s disruptive, and it’s time for it to stop. Everyone else, please drop the discussion of this behavior, as frustrating as it is. Next time, please just report it.** Look, it’s **the truth** that “Captain Kirk is a fictional character”. If it’s disruptive, it’s the fault of those that post continued comments on the issue. The goal of the Straight Dope is to Fight Ignorance, not encourage it. Hell, William Shatner wasn’t even\* playing \*Captain Kirk in 1956. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/2 "2016-04-08T16:41:25Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > For this post: > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=19242122#post19242122](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=19242122#post19242122) > > **Captain Kirk Hit with $170-Million Paternity Suit.** _No, sorry, Captain Kirk is a fictional character. No one is suing him._ > > IvoryTowerDenizen > **Warning Issued > DrDeth you’ve been told to knock this behavior off before. It’s deliberate, it’s disruptive, and it’s time for it to stop. > Everyone else, please drop the discussion of this behavior, as frustrating as it is. Next time, please just report it.** > > \*\*Look, it’s **the truth** that “Captain Kirk is a fictional character”. \*\* > > If it’s disruptive, it’s the fault of those that post continued comments on the issue. > > \*\*The goal of the Straight Dope is to Fight Ignorance, not encourage it. \*\* > > Hell, William Shatner wasn’t even\* playing \*Captain Kirk in 1956. It’s called humor. No one believes that Capt. Kirk is a real person. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2016, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/3 "2016-04-08T16:49:50Z")
You know, if you’ve been told to “knock this behavior off before. It’s deliberate, it’s disruptive, and it’s time for it to stop,” then maybe you should knock this behavior off because it’s deliberate, it’s disruptive, and it’s time for it to stop. And stop whining while you’re at it. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/4 "2016-04-08T16:53:11Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > It’s called humor. > No one believes that Capt. Kirk is a real person. Spoiler, please! ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/5 "2016-04-08T16:53:38Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > For this post: > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=19242122#post19242122](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=19242122#post19242122) > > **Captain Kirk Hit with $170-Million Paternity Suit.** _No, sorry, Captain Kirk is a fictional character. No one is suing him._ > > IvoryTowerDenizen > **Warning Issued > DrDeth you’ve been told to knock this behavior off before. It’s deliberate, it’s disruptive, and it’s time for it to stop. > Everyone else, please drop the discussion of this behavior, as frustrating as it is. Next time, please just report it.** > > Look, it’s **the truth** that “Captain Kirk is a fictional character”. > > If it’s disruptive, it’s the fault of those that post continued comments on the issue. > > The goal of the Straight Dope is to Fight Ignorance, not encourage it. > > Hell, William Shatner wasn’t even\* playing \*Captain Kirk in 1956. I’m assuming that you didn’t learn your lesson when you were [warned](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=752879) for the exact same thing you’re bitching about here. And that was just a little over a year ago. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/6 "2016-04-08T16:55:06Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Hell, William Shatner wasn’t even\* playing \*Captain Kirk in 1956. The book or the movie? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/7 "2016-04-08T16:59:42Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I’m assuming that you didn’t learn your lesson when you were [warned](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=752879) for the exact same thing you’re bitching about here. And that was just a little over a year ago. Not Warned. and "_DrDeth drop correcting people for using a past character’s name to refer to a role played by the same actor. It’s been done before and there is nothing against the rules about it. It is clear the posters know who they are referring to and don’t need your “corrections”. If you are genuinely confused as to who is being referred to then ask. Otherwise you’re just Jr. Modding and hijacking the conversation. "_ Not the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/8 "2016-04-08T17:02:26Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Not Warned. > > and "_DrDeth drop correcting people for using a past character’s name to refer to a role played by the same actor. It’s been done before and there is nothing against the rules about it. It is clear the posters know who they are referring to and don’t need your “corrections”. If you are genuinely confused as to who is being referred to then ask. Otherwise you’re just Jr. Modding and hijacking the conversation. "_ > > Not the same thing. Fair enough. My mistake. I misinterpreted it as I skimmed. But I think my larger point stands. You were told to knock it off a year ago, and you’re doing it again. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/9 "2016-04-08T17:02:37Z")
**DrDeth** , do you honestly believe that a jocular reference to Shatner’s most famous character is spreading ignorance? Or are you pulling our collective plonker? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/10 "2016-04-08T17:09:10Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > No one believes that Capt. Kirk is a real person. _ **WHAT???** _ Seriously, though, DrDeth you need to get over the fact that people use the character’s name instead of the actors. It doesn’t even need to be a joke. It’s just the way language works. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/11 "2016-04-08T17:15:13Z")
For the record, I agree with **Ivory Tower Denizen**. It’s deliberate and disruptive (her words). You know that it’s annoying to people and you do it anyway. I’m glad you got a warning for it. Besides, Shatner wouldn’t even have become that famous if not for Captain Kirk and the paternity suit would not have been worth noting. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/12 "2016-04-08T17:16:59Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Hell, William Shatner wasn’t even\* playing \*Captain Kirk in 1956. No one can play Captain Kirk as that’s a fictional character and not a musical instrument. You should use _portray_ or _act the part of_ to avoid confusion. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/13 "2016-04-08T17:17:03Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > **DrDeth** , do you honestly believe that a jocular reference to Shatner’s most famous character is spreading ignorance? Or are you pulling our collective plonker? Look, I didn’t make a big deal of it. _It was a single line._ I assumed some would find it humorous. Others went off on it. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/14 "2016-04-08T17:22:24Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Look, I didn’t make a big deal of it. _It was a single line._ I assumed some would find it humorous. Others went off on it. So, all that stuff in the OP about fighting ignorance, etc… was a joke, too? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/15 "2016-04-08T17:24:34Z")
Perhaps you should just stop now. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/16 "2016-04-08T17:27:55Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Look, I didn’t make a big deal of it. As opposed to what you’re doing now? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/17 "2016-04-08T17:34:19Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > As opposed to what you’re doing now? :dubious: Yes, since ITD and other posters made a big deal of it, I am responding. It’s a lame warning. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/18 "2016-04-08T17:35:22Z")
To be fair, there have been ambiguities over the years - [1](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DU57-oYvhes/VOsFl7ydsSI/AAAAAAAAICg/kfpAfbaBYgQ/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2015-02-23%2Bat%2B2.42.04%2BAM.png), [2](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_of7mShM5N1g/TFMYVt5jqNI/AAAAAAAAB0k/sjOcoa2FE4g/s1600/st_fan_clubs_mag_05_ln_book_01_and_02.jpg), [3](http://shop.startrek.com/imgcache/product/resized/000/884/403/catl/i-am-spock-paperback-book-020_1000.jpg?k=ea82fe21&pid=884403&s=catl&sn=startrek) - and I’m no longer convinced that the programme was fictional. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/19 "2016-04-08T17:48:15Z")
So who is the best starship captain: Bill Shatner, Edward James Olmos, or Captain Crunch? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557/20 "2016-04-08T17:50:20Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > So who is the best starship captain: Bill Shatner, Edward James Olmos, or Captain Crunch? Grace Slick. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-longer-fighting-ignorance-now-encouraging-it/751557.md?page=2)