# Pitting Amateur Barbarian **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 8, 2015, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554 "2015-07-08T08:05:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2015, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/201 "2015-07-18T22:44:44Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > Really? > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18439585&postcount=5](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18439585&postcount=5) There are also some grade-A bullshit posts contributed by **Broomstick**.That thread is the mother lode in the gold mine of snark. ETA: what is the Nutella thing? ---
**Author:** ![jimbuff314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c57346/32.png) [@jimbuff314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbuff314)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2015, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/202 "2015-07-18T23:01:46Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=16444813#post16444813](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=16444813#post16444813) > > My favorite part is where he said that he was answering the question posed by the OP of “If a woman has a past relationship with a black man she’s tainted forever. Why?” > > See, it’s not racism. It’s that such women are skanky. Well, one man’s _skanky_ is another man’s _pied a terre_. I wish people would start raggin’ on him with random thrown-in Heinlein-isms. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2015, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/203 "2015-07-18T23:02:26Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=16444813#post16444813](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=16444813#post16444813) > > My favorite part is where he said that he was answering the question posed by the OP of “If a woman has a past relationship with a black man she’s tainted forever. Why?” > > See, it’s not racism. It’s that such women are skanky. One would shudder to be branded racist, of course, one merely wishes to know why a seemingly decent white woman would want to throw herself away on a black man when there are plenty of estimable ones of, let us say, a higher albedo, haha; indeed, dare one say it, one in particular a noted experts in his chosen field. Possibly it’s due to low-self-esteem, of course, feeling unworthy in the presence of one of legitimate academic note, but let me be quick to assure any potential suitors that I am not that daunting a fellow; and, indeed, more than happy to play Pygmalion to her Galatea, if note Professor Higgins to her Eliza, haha. Unless, of course, it’s the really big cock she craves, in which case she is shit out of luck. ---
**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:** [July 18, 2015, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/204 "2015-07-18T23:07:34Z")
> [@jimbuff314](#): > > Well, one man’s _skanky_ is another man’s _pied a terre_. Without a touch of skank, there’s something missing. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2015, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/205 "2015-07-18T23:37:13Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > touch of skank Hmmm, new fragrance line. I’m sure AB will insist that white women who have dated a black guy wear it all times, that way he can smell their taint from across the room. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2015, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/206 "2015-07-19T00:32:43Z")
> [@Darth\_Panda](#): > > Hmmm, new fragrance line. > > I’m sure AB will insist that white women who have dated a black guy wear it all times, that way he can smell their taint from across the room. Skank Noir. Pour Homme. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2015, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/207 "2015-07-19T03:17:34Z")
> [@Svejk\_1](#): > > There are also some grade-A bullshit posts contributed by **Broomstick**.That thread is the mother lode in the gold mine of snark. > > ETA: what is the Nutella thing? [Here you go](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=683395). That was my first encounter with the guy, back when he was still posting under his original name. (Which, BTW, is how most of us know who he actually is – he used the name of his publishing company) It’s like performance art. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2015, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/208 "2015-07-19T07:27:35Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > Really? > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18439585&postcount=5](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18439585&postcount=5) I stand corrected. 😃 Kudos, **RobDog**. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2015, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/209 "2015-07-19T11:31:08Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > Let’s be fair here. Although **AB** loves to brag about stuff, he’s never (to my knowledge) engaged in this particular kind of bragging. > > He has, however, expressed bafflement about other people’s relationships: > **[Playing piano aboard a cruise liner as a passenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=759386)** > > Are passengers typically allowed to play piano aboard a cruise liner, or are those off limits, for the professional ship musicians only? \*\*Edit: \*\*Thread title should read “aboard” not “about.” [QUOTE=AB] The crews are generally a little leery of passengers “entertaining” the crowds, but the Mrs. played a few times on the lounge pianos. So did Barbarian Jr. Both drew large crowds and had to politely refuse tips. [/QUOTE] Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2015, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/210 "2015-07-19T20:10:45Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > [Playing piano aboard a cruise liner as a passenger - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=759386) > > Carry on. Nice find. 😃 I wonder how **AB** defines “large crowd.” ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/211 "2015-07-19T20:14:15Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > Nice find. 😃 I wonder how **AB** defines “large crowd.” Um, **Penfeather** - your services are needed. In the voice of Our Muse, please? Prithee, sir - did the crowds flock to see your Maiden Fair? ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/212 "2015-07-19T20:14:37Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > [Here you go](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=683395). That was my first encounter with the guy, back when he was still posting under his original name. (Which, BTW, is how most of us know who he actually is – he used the name of his publishing company) > > It’s like performance art. My favorite part of that thread is when **AB** talked about the _sooper-sekrit stuff_ he’s privy to: > [@Nutella - most deceptive product on the shelf?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nutella-most-deceptive-product-on-the-shelf/651285/142): > > I’d like to answer. I actually have an answer. But not one I’m prepared to dump into the bitstream here. It’s part of something larger that will become public in the very near future. I’m guessing that when he was a kid, his favorite singsong taunt was “I know something you don’t know!” ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/213 "2015-07-19T20:35:08Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > My favorite part of that thread is when **AB** talked about the _sooper-sekrit stuff_ he’s privy to: > > I’m guessing that when he was a kid, his favorite singsong taunt was “I know something you don’t know!” Or he’s taking some serious drugs. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2015, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/214 "2015-07-19T21:00:37Z")
So it’s been a couple of years and AB can tell us now what top secret information regarding food package labeling to which he is privy. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2015, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/215 "2015-07-19T21:18:46Z")
> [@tnetennba](#): > > So it’s been a couple of years and AB can tell us now what top secret information regarding food package labeling to which he is privy. If you tilt the label at just the right angle and then _squint_, the reflection in the spoon says “Don’t eat a whole jar in a sitting and then blame the manufacturer”. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2015, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/216 "2015-07-20T07:07:09Z")
To brighten up your Monday morning, here’s an **AB** classic: [Too Smart to Work at Radio Shack](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17946583&postcount=4). A choice excerpt: > [@Tales From The Old RadioShack, or We went almost a whole summer in Texas without AC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-from-the-old-radioshack-or-we-went-almost-a-whole-summer-in-texas-without-ac/706236/4): > > As, basically, a freelance writer, I was never averse to extra income, so a couple of years I tried to sign up as Xmas help at the stores. I knew the managers well - first name, special orders, occasionally lunch at the McD’s next door, that kind of thing - and all three told me, over time, that they could not hire me because I was too knowledgable - they were bound to hire only iggerant neat young men in white shirts and ties who knew nothing about electronics, so that their knowledge would be RS-approved or nothing. They actively did not want anyone with wider knowledge. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2015, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/217 "2015-07-20T08:37:18Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Um, **Penfeather** - your services are needed. In the voice of Our Muse, please? [Since you ask nicely…](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18531636&postcount=9) ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2015, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/218 "2015-07-20T11:08:04Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > [Since you ask nicely…](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18531636&postcount=9) That was a thing of beauty. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2015, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/219 "2015-07-20T11:17:44Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > To brighten up your Monday morning, here’s an **AB** classic: [Too Smart to Work at Radio Shack](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17946583&postcount=4). > > A choice excerpt: I get the feeling the poor saps at Radio Shack knew all to well what an insufferable windbag **AB** was, as he recounted the historical merits and drawbacks of the invention of the transistor for hours while buying some off-brand batteries. He then suggested a fine meal at McDonalds (being the trencherman that he is), over which he’d suggest being hired because “freelance” writing about a Golden-Age, long dead SF author just isn’t paying the bills anymore. So they told him he was just too damn knowledgable, he bought it, and has been crowing about it ever since. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2015, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554/220 "2015-07-20T11:23:14Z")
> [@tnetennba](#): > > So it’s been a couple of years and AB can tell us now what top secret information regarding food package labeling to which he is privy. Well, that’s easy. All of it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-amateur-barbarian/724554.md?page=12)