Pointing out that Art History isn't exactly a useful degree is threadshitting?

Let me put it this way…how would it have been different if you had said something like “Art History degree? I guess I’ll be giving you my order at McDonalds soon.”

You made the job slightly better than that (bartista), but the point remained the same. It was a pretty clear rude comment in a new poster’s thread. Even adding a “Welcome, by the way” would have helped, but you didn’t even do that.

You just can’t make those sorts of comments on these boards and expect not to be modded.

It was personal in that he was commenting directly on her personal life, not a movie she liked or something. It is generally rude to make negative personal comments (such as your degree choice is poor and you’ll end up a barista) without being asked.

Yes, I would like fries with that.

It was threadshitting. It was also ignorant. Plenty of good jobs are out there for people with degrees in the humanities, and it’s a myth that they end up with crappy jobs or low salaries. But for culturally illiterate slobs who sell mattresses with their grade C average and degree in business, it seems to give them some comfort to imagine all those nerds who read books and went to museums are slinging fries, but the sad truth is that they are making as much money as you and are probably happier with their work.

Get thee to a nunnery, eh? Listen, etv, Shakespeare you’re not.

One of the most annoying defenses against being moderated is the “BUT IT’S THE TROOTH!!!11!” defense. Truthfulness is no defense against a charge of rudeness. The prohibition isn’t against libel, it’s against being a jerk. It’s perfectly possible to be an honest jerk.

Telling someone you just met (who is just trying to say hello) that they are completely wrong in their life choices is downright rude in most social settings, both on and off of the internet.

A better response is “Hello, nice to meet you, too.”

And that defense isn’t even applicable in this case. The defense of “truthiness” (i.e., the stubborn and wrongheaded belief that one’s overblown opinion is an adequate substitute for objective reality) is no defense whatsoever.

They are obviously wrong. My friend got a degree in Art History and he is now a manager at Trader Joes.

To be completely pedantic, the ability is called “Bardic Knowledge” not “bard truths.”

I was about to join the pile-on and also berate the OP for threadshitting, one of my pet peeves, but then I saw that she brought up her father disagreeing with her choice of major. IMHO, choice of major was then on the table, and valid for discussion. His comment may have been rude, but IMHO not threadshitting.

I had no idea what “bard truths” meant, and have never heard the expression “Bardic Knowledge.”

Is that a Brit thing, or have I just missed it? From the nunnery comment, I’m assuming it’s relating to The Bard, but Bardic Knowledge sounds plausible for all sorts of plucked-string-instrument-playing-funny-clothes-wearing-person-imparted knowledge.
Plus centuries ago I was in love with an Art History major. She was great.

I thought it was a typo - he meant “hard” truths.

Yes, you threadshit etv.

I could maybe see this argument based on his first sentence (although I still don’t think her bringing it up was an invitation for advice). But did you read the etv78’s entire post? “I fully expect you to begin your post college life as a barista.” :frowning: That’s threadshitting plain and simple.

There was room to discuss the subject, I think. The problem was the way etv78 did it. That’s true of post #16 as well, and then - after things moved in the right direction a little bit - post #25. After that the thread goes off topic somewhat because people are arguing about etv78’s post and his life.

We like new people at the Dope. We like our old friends as well and cherish our long-timers but it’s nice to see new people who are interested in being a part of the greater board community.

Our first rule is of course “Don’t be a jerk” and bashing someone on their first exposure to the board is jerky behavior. Why be so unkind? Why not give a new poster the benefit of the doubt and be polite at the very least?

Unless and until she says something to the effect of “what do you all think of my major?” it’s a threadshit.

Bardic Knowledge is from Dungeons & Dragons, a bard (you prob’ly guessed that much) class feature.

I suspect ‘bard’ was a typo, also.

Relevant column by Cecil. Well, sorta, anyway.

Only if you prefer benign mundane non-secret-conspiracy answers.

The devil you say!

When I went to the thread and read the first few posts, I thought about that line of reasoning for a minute. But then I realized it didn’t matter. Still rude and uncalled for. Give the poster a chance to let folks know if she wants that sort of feedback.