What first attracted you to the SDMB?
I used to post exclusively to snopes. Then when the boards went down here, during The Winter of Our Missed Content, they had an influx of Dopers over there. I got to interact a little with wring and I was hooked, 'cause you know, she’s an intelligent, witty liberal. I came over when everything was right with the world again and mostly lurked until my cohones dropped and I wasn’t too scared to post some idiotic answer about shampoo in IMHO.
::: hangs head in shame :::
In colored font, no less. :eek:
What do you keep coming back for?
As many have said, there’s just no other place like it on the 'net. At least, not that I’ve found consistently. My interest may be snared from time to time, but I always come back to here for sustenance.
How important is the site to you?How much time do you spend per week? day?
Very. During my bouts of agoraphobia, it’s roughly been my only life-line (and moreso, support) to the outside world. I’m here daily, if doing nothing other than reading. Weekly, I’d be terrified to guess. It’s my version of the TV babysitting boom to latchkey kids. Cest la vie.
Do you think it lives up to its stated goal of “fighting ignorance”? How?
Sometimes. Bog knows I’ve learned tons of really helpful (like recently there was a discussion about rawhides being bad for dogs because of their inability to digest them – and I didn’t know that, which means I’d inadvertently been putting my baby in danger) things, fascinating stuff and things I’d never know about the world and its policies/religion/intricacies in science. Or subjects I’d not been interested in otherwise.
What do you think sets the SDMB apart from other message boards?
For me it’s the level of thoughtful discourse and intentional attempts at actually using proper English. Typos aside, I can’t stand to read any other place that devolves (or begins with) into 733+ or any horrific standard of communication. It’s really difficult to follow and read, plus whether or not it should, it does convey a “couldn’t care less” attitude and makes you wonder if the speaker, as it were, has grown up online with an average age of 11 (no offense to really mature pre-teens, of course, who aren’t even remotely like this).
What other MBs do you go to?
Now that we seem to have a lower turn over rate in material, occasionally I’ll seek out new items to peruse. I still read at snopes some. When it’s movie related, sadly, I’ll check out the IMDb chatter. Now that is a horror. Than those, I just skim around if anything catches my attention, but I never stay long. I have liked Cross+Flame though. It has some yummy arguments, although I mostly forget to visit.
Which forum do you go to first?
In order… the Pit, Great Debates, ATMB (to find out any scoops), Cafe Society, MPSIMS ('cause there usually is funny diatribes or exchanges of some sort happening), IMHO and lastly, General Questions. If I don’t go there last, I’ll waste years.
Do you lurk more or participate more overall? in any particular forum? on any particular subject?
Again, it’s cyclical. Overall, I can dive in pretty much anywhere, because all I basically have to offer anyway is anecdotal. Every once in a blue moon, it’ll be a substantial contribution via factual information. But I’m not nearly as smart as the rest of these guys. I typically lurk in GD. The level of debate is intimidating and I wouldn’t be able to comment hardly ever from a position of authority (or at all). I try to avoid subjects that will eventually piss me off, like feuding with fundamentalists (which we don’t have much [any?] more of anyhow) and delve (to the point of One Trick Pony-ish?) on those that are near and dear to my heart… mental illness/suicide, gay rights, and experiences about my former brand of Christianity.
Do you enjoy debating, and do you think you hold your own there?
Yes, but because of the self-described prohibitions, I feel I’m mostly ignored. Which is okay because, as I said, it’s not like I’m able to provide the important replies with cites and all.
Describe yourself - age, sex, location, occupation, etc. What interests do you have in real life?
Almost 38, female, East Texas (ugh), Liberal Arts Waitress. Interests include independent (and horror!) films, interior decorating somewhat, human rights, baseball, and anything 70s related. Oh, and eBay. My puppy Zen.
What do you see as your standing in the SDMB community? Does that correspond to your standing in real life?
Just another cog in the wheel. Yep, that’s pretty much the same all over, though I hope the hippie vibe shines through.
How honestly do you represent yourself online?
Completely. I’m sure to an incredibly embarrassing degree. Why be any different? Out of the whole world to stalk, I doubt I’d ever be sufficiently intriguing enough to even slightly register. Plus, I’m waaaaaaaay too verbose. :rolleyes: But I do try sometimes not to be. This is NOT one of them.
Do you think people here would be surprised by what you are like in real life?
Not in the slightest. I’m just as goofy everywhere, here included.
Do you find yourself agreeing or disagreeing more often with other members? On what subjects?
Agreeing. That’s another reason this place is an oasis. In real life, the majority holds the opposite opinions that I do on every. last. thing. Here I get to see how the other half lives and garner hope for myself. IE: on politics, G-d, equality.
Are there any rules (official or not) that you disagree with?
Unofficially, I wish the moderators would be more open to answer queries, especially of the civil variety, then seems that they do. A Pit thread had that lack of response just within the past couple of days. I understand the animosity they must continually put up with, however, one that is polite shouldn’t be penalized for the behaviors of the bad apples.
Who do you see as the leaders of the board?
Apart for those who work or volunteer for the Reader, I feel there are no other standouts who heard us about into the hive collective.
Who on the board do you most look up to? Why?
Let’s see… Zoe and LHoD (crush aside) for their rationale. Maureen, Annie-Xmas, The Mad Hermit and Scottchier due to unwaveringly beautiful support, certainly during especially hard times. even sven because I’d really have liked to be her, back in the day. There are more, but undoubtedly
Have you made enemies?
I don’t know. I figure I’m too nondescript and boring. But I have Pitted one person (of late) and I have no idea if that constitutes us being enemies or not. For me though, no.
Do you feel like you know the other members well?
A little. I wish it were better, but I’m terrible with instant follow through and I isolate, so the onus is on me.
How important is the anonymity of the board to you?
Zilch. I’ll never aspire to government, folks around me in real life are (overall) computer illiterate and again, I am nothing but a speck in the billions and billions of cosmos in the vast universe. Thank you Mr. Sagan.
Would you want to meet anyone here in real life? Have you?
Yes, but sadly, not yet. Although you can bet I will, dammit. Even if I have to use www.stalkparticularpersonsass.com. I won’t be denied. 
Oooh, you better watch out. And by that, y’all know who you are.
::: cue ominous music :::
Good luck Ana Byrd! If you’re still awake and haven’t atrophied. 
