There are times when the Dope is overly pedantic, and there are a number of very vocal posters who are serious jerks (and that number is probably different for everybody. I’m sure there are people who think I’m a bitch - and they may be right, depending on the topic). I think some people take our ‘smartest people on the net’ joke too seriously.
But I’ve yet to find another board that covers such a broad range of topics as well. I like the community at CustomersSuck.com. There are two conlanging / linguistics boards that I browse, because they’re fascinating (and nearly everyone there is apparently smarter than me). I liked the sense of community at Warren Ellis’ Whitechapel board and the strict (mostly self-)moderation, but it’s too artsy and indie for me.
But the Dope is the one I stick with, for whatever reason.
To the OP, the only other forum I’ve found that is similar to the Straight Dope in content & atmosphere is the Rational Skepticism board. Not sure if we’re supposed to link directly to other discussion groups here, but a few seconds of Google will put you there. I don’t post there, but occasionally follow one of the threads…in fact I originally discovered the Dope through a link in a RS thread. I would say, however that discussions there tend to get more confrontational than they do here.
To those who complain that they are picked on in this forum, I think they mostly need to grow up. Yes, there are a few jerks here, but if you maintain a civil tone and can back up your argument you don’t have much to worry about. Any worthwhile discourse or debate will draw a difference of opinion and sometimes the tone can be sharp. If you just wish to preach to the choir, so to speak, there are plenty of other places to do that.
SS
I have never seen posters of flames or insults in GQ–beyond the shorthand “I call bullshit” that must be followed by a reason–that have not been quickly interrupted with a warning by the Mods.
If you want a huge range of topics and fast paced, try the TV Tropes forums. It doesn’t really have a ‘factual’ board, although there are places you can ask such questions.
