# Paid Subscriptions - What for?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [May 27, 2004, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367 "2004-05-27T16:39:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 11

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/201 "2004-05-30T15:56:39Z")

</div>

The thing that folks like **PorkChop47** don’t seem to understand is that even if the Chicago Reader _were_ clearing a profit from this thing, we don’t care! If you were to tell me that switching to paid subscriptions has allowed **Ed Zotti** to retire to Tahiti and lie on the beach being fawned over by beautiful maidens, I’d be perfectly happy. They’ve spent a lot of years putting up with us and losing money in order to do it. They’ve chosen to ask for a lot less than they deserve.

Way back at the beginning of the thread, I would have said that **PorkChop47** was probably simply ignorant of the reasons why the current subscription plan is in place. Now I see that he’s being willfully obtuse.

And he resorted to one of the lamest argumentative strategies out there–“What about the people in Africa?” That’s truly the last refuge of the rhetorically defeated. Maybe we should call any variation of “your points are invalid because there are people out there who are _really_ suffering” **Porkchop’s Ploy**?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/202 "2004-05-30T16:06:54Z")

</div>

I’d like to note that yes, I agree that a fee will keep out some people who simply cannot afford the money, and who cannot get someone to sponsor them during their guest period.

However, I’d like to note that the alternative is not having a SDMB at all. This would impact the diversity of our board greatly, given that it wouldn’t even exist!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Uvula\_Donor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e19adc/32.png) [@Uvula\_Donor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uvula_Donor)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/203 "2004-05-30T16:27:56Z")

</div>

> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#):
>
> Seriously, though, how old are you?
> 
> Chronologically, that is.

Let’s see…

Attitude, braggadocio, selection of _Red fucking Lobster_ as an example of an expensive restaurant where he could take everyone after “buying all our memberships”…

I’d say he’s about 14.

Next he’ll be bitching that the smilies aren’t animated. :rolleyes:

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/204 "2004-05-30T16:47:23Z")

</div>

> [@PorkChop47](#):
>
> Chitwood asks. “Why are you posting?”
> 
> I’m posting cause I would like to be informed about where all the extra $$ is going? No I’m not here for fame or anyone’s sympathy or even for you to say I am right. If you want to get a refund go ahead and ask for it. I didn’t suggest that. I’m not even posting to ruffle
> 
> Also why no “welcome to the board” for me or the other guest users supporting my views.You welcomed user P\_T\_ who makes 2 liner posts. Does that impress you. His posts are few in quntitiy and even less in intelligence. Yet you chastise me , the one who has your knickers in a twist.
> 
> It’s not even about the $14.95 anymore. I might just stay here, you’re right it is pretty entertaining talking to a group of numbs.

I strongly advise that you DON’T stay here. As it is, you’re \>this\< close to getting banned for trolling and abusing the membership as a whole.

It’s really none of your business where the money goes. The Chicago Reader wishes to see a return on its expenditure, and it’s set $14.95 as this year’s subscription price. If posting and searching on the boards is worth 15 bucks a year to people, then they’ll subscribe. If not enough people subscribe to make it worth the Reader’s while to keep the boards going, then the boards will be shut down.

**P\_T\_** was welcomed because it’s apparent that he(?) is quite witty and funny. Sometimes a short, snappy post says much more than a longwinded one.

Incidentally, I find it amusing that you accuse the Straight Dope of not being interested in people from “developing nations”…if they can get here, and can hold their own, we’re happy to have them. In fact, one of our moderators is from India. No, I’m not going to tell you which one. But we’re very happy to have him. We’re very lucky to have him, in fact, he’s very smart and witty, and has a wicked sense of humor.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/205 "2004-05-30T17:01:22Z")

</div>

> [@PorkChop47](#):
>
> … why no “welcome to the board” for me[?] …

If you do indeed have $14.95, I strongly suggest that you use it to buy a clue.

P.S. Quntitiy is not qulitiy.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/206 "2004-05-30T17:49:42Z")

</div>

> [@PorkChop47](#):
>
> For those that were poking fun at my poor spellings. I speak, read and write 3 languages and can only speak a 4th language. Sorry if my spellings don’t meet your demands. In anycase I didn’t read through my posts spellings. I give a quick scan for bigger mistakes. There may be errors in my posts. Sure, I’m not perfect, but the few errors you find are in my paragraphs of typing. I type more than the average user on this board. I’m hardly going to fall on my back like a bug and go on no my english is horrible. Like I said I’m not typing a term paper here for my Masters degree that I should proof read the crap out of it. If something I have posted is unclear kidnly (there I mispelt kindly did i hit the backspace?) refer back to me and I will get back to you.
> 
> The individual who found it amusing that i spelt spell check “spel chek”. Did you bother to read the rest of my post? Or were you going to pick on a very intentional spelling mistake. I was saying it would be nice to have a spell check on the board. Wow and you call yourself someone with a sense of humor or humour for the British readers on the board.

Oh, ferchrissake. Look, the “I’m so smart I can’t be bothered to express myself in coherent sentences” argument is very, very old and very, very tiresome. You may think you’re hot shit, but I guarantee you that there are plenty of people on this board who are smarter than you, better educated than you, and who can still somehow manage to use proper spelling, grammar, and rhetoric. If you’d tone down your arrogance a bit, you might get along here better–but you’ve made it clear that you have no real intention of doing so.

While it may be true that on the Internet nobody knows you’re a dog, it’s generally pretty clear whether you’re a jackass.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/207 "2004-05-30T19:00:17Z")

</div>

> [@Green Bean](#):
>
> The thing that folks like **PorkChop47** don’t seem to understand is that even if the Chicago Reader _were_ clearing a profit from this thing, we don’t care! If you were to tell me that switching to paid subscriptions has allowed **Ed Zotti** to retire to Tahiti and lie on the beach being fawned over by beautiful maidens, I’d be perfectly happy.

Exactly. In fact, although I paid only 4.95 for my membership (and incidentally, will pay only 7.49 next year, and will likely **never pay 14.95** unless the Reader decides to make membership cost $30), I suspect I am not the only person who would gladly kick in an additional 14.95 if **PorkChop** and his ilk would go away.

Bringing my Dope fees to 19.90 US$ for unlimited fun, wit, insightful reading material and freedom from jackasses. Yes, I would buy that.

FB

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/208 "2004-05-30T19:28:45Z")

</div>

> [@PorkChop47](#):
>
> I could buy all your subscriptions, and take you out to red lobster, and top it off with a couple lap dances for you 12 year olds who’re tossing the F word like it’s going out of fashion.

Less talk. More svelte pre-pubescents and shellfish.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/209 "2004-05-30T19:42:15Z")

</div>

> [@Hunter Hawk](#):
>
> While it may be true that on the Internet nobody knows you’re a dog, it’s generally pretty clear whether you’re a jackass.

SIG LINE!!  
🙂🙂🙂

**Hunter Hawk** , with your permission, may I?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/210 "2004-05-30T20:00:15Z")

</div>

> [@Lynn Bodoni](#):
>
> In fact, one of our moderators is from India. No, I’m not going to tell you which one. But we’re very happy to have him. We’re very lucky to have him, in fact, he’s very smart and witty, and has a wicked sense of humor.

[sub]Crap! She saw right _through_ my devious “Brooklyn” subterfuge![/sub]

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/211 "2004-05-30T20:16:38Z")

</div>

> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#):
>
> SIG LINE!!  
> 🙂🙂🙂
> 
> **Hunter Hawk** , with your permission, may I?

Be my guest. 🙂

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/212 "2004-05-30T20:30:10Z")

</div>

> [@Hunter Hawk](#):
>
> Be my guest. 🙂

Many thanks.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/213 "2004-05-30T22:25:30Z")

</div>

> [@lainaf](#):
>
> P.S. Quntitiy is not qulitiy.

You sound like my sister every time we play Scrabble. 😉

**Porkchop47** , go away. I hate you. I have no interest in answering your questions, I don’t care what you think about me, or the boards, or Africa, or life in general. I just want you to go away. You’re a smug, annoying little twit. Also, you’re ugly and you smell bad. I would rather stick my tongue in the asshole of a dead horse than read another one of your mind-numbingly irritating and condescending posts. You’re useless and unpleasant.

In summary, go away and I hate you.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/214 "2004-05-30T22:30:11Z")

</div>

> [@Giraffe](#):
>
> I would rather stick my tongue in the asshole of a dead horse than read another one of your mind-numbingly irritating and condescending posts.

**Giraffe** would also rather eat a sandwich that’s stained with his own urine.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/215 "2004-05-30T22:32:44Z")

</div>

> [@Giraffe](#):
>
> I would rather stick my tongue in the asshole of a dead horse than read another one of your mind-numbingly irritating and condescending posts.

**Giraffe** would also rather watch all of the Olsen twins’ movies back to back while rubbing the carbuncles on my Great-Aunt Gertrude’s feet.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/216 "2004-05-30T22:43:40Z")

</div>

> [@dantheman](#):
>
> **Giraffe** would also rather eat a sandwich that’s stained with his own urine.

For those who don’t understand this reference, [here’s a link.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=190370)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/217 "2004-05-30T23:26:29Z")

</div>

> [@Jimmy Chitwood](#):
>
> Perhaps you’ve noticed that most of the posters in this thread jumped the gun on this one, and assumed from the beginning that you were a #2.

I did assume that Pokechop was #2, but I doubt that we’re talking about the same thing!

If someone else already wrote this I apologize. I promise I will read all the posts from yours (#102) to the end, but I had to get this in before I forgot about it. (Being a geezer, I have this short-term memory problem, you know.)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/218 "2004-05-30T23:40:10Z")

</div>

Actually, I think you are the first to comment on that, **DesertGeezer** , so no need to apologize. Plus, I was pretty proud of that line myself, so any excuse to bring it back up is cool with me. And I think we are speaking of the same #2.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/219 "2004-05-30T23:45:53Z")

</div>

> [@AwSnappity](#):
>
> **Giraffe** would also rather watch all of the Olsen twins’ movies back to back while rubbing the carbuncles on my Great-Aunt Gertrude’s feet.

:eek:  
Wow. I mean, I _do_ have limits… On the other hand, **Porkchop47** is _really_ annoying…

Now, a sandwich dipped in the Olsen twins’ urine…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/220 "2004-05-30T23:59:50Z")

</div>

> [@Giraffe](#):
>
> Now, a sandwich dipped in the Olsen twins’ urine…

Man, you are gettin’ into a weird area here.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367.md?page=10)

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367.md?page=12)