# Roland Deschain: your priorities are screwed up (lame rant) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 24, 2005, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446 "2005-01-24T18:54:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/1 "2005-01-24T18:54:38Z")
In [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=298404) thread, our illustrious \*\*Roland Deschain \*\* justifies never changing his car oil by saying: > [@](#): > > I normally don’t have an extral $30.00 to have it changed. This is _bullshit_. It’s not that he doesn’t have the money to get his oil changed; it’s just that he’d rather spend it on other things. How do I know this? In [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=296671) thread, Mr. Deschain contemplates the idea of going to a “swing club.” Um, how much will _that_ cost? I suspect that the amount of money spent in _one night_ at a swing club could pay for a year’s worth of oil changes. In [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=5715688#post5715688) thread he admits to eating at restaurants. Roland, restaurants are a _luxury_, dude. Isn’t it funny how you can afford to eat at restaurants, but can’t afford to get the oil changed in your car? In [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=5678410#post5678410) thread he says he bought a brand new computer last year. In [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=5633750#post5633750) thread he says > [@](#): > > My friends and I play this game online for $5.00 dollars per game and lately they have gotten better. Um, Roland, why don’t use the money you would normally spend on four games and spend it on a frick’n oil change?? There are other threads where it can be inferred that Mr. Deschain has cable TV and likes beer. Not that any of these things are bad. But to claim “I normally don’t have an extra $30.00 to have my oil changed” is preposterous. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/2 "2005-01-24T19:18:51Z")
You’re pitting him for not changing his oil? What, is he supposed to give you a ride somewhere? Why the fuck do you even care? ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/3 "2005-01-24T19:24:46Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > You’re pitting him for not changing his oil? Can’t you hear those long chain hydrocarbons crying out for mercy? I can, and I live hundreds of miles from **Roland** ’s vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![kevja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@kevja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevja)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/4 "2005-01-24T19:26:08Z")
Four links about how a poster spends his money. Hmm Seems like the OP is a little obsessed with Roland. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/5 "2005-01-24T19:26:22Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > You’re pitting him for not changing his oil? No. He’s pitting him for frivolously spending money on luxuries, whilst blowing off more important things - like changing his oil once in a while, and then claiming he doesn’t _have_ the money. I’d call that a screwed-up priority hierachy, wouldn’t you? After all, how much will a siezed engine cost? C’mon, **Miller** , you’re smarter than that. ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Joe\_Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Random)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/6 "2005-01-24T19:27:01Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > You’re pitting him for not changing his oil? No, he’s pitting him for claiming to not have enough money to get his oil changed, when in reality he _could_ have enough money, but chooses to spend it on frivolous things instead. Anyone who plays an online game for $5 a pop, yet hasn’t changed his oil in 100,000 miles, has an obvious problem with setting priorities. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/7 "2005-01-24T19:29:29Z")
Roland chooses to not maintain his car properly and justifies it by claiming poverty. He could easily afford to change his oil, but won’t admit to being irresponsible that way. Lame rant? Yeah. Completely unjustified? Nah. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/8 "2005-01-24T19:31:50Z")
Well, at least it isn’t a classic or antique car. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/9 "2005-01-24T19:34:33Z")
> [@Joe Random](#): > > No, he’s pitting him for claiming to not have enough money to get his oil changed, when in reality he _could_ have enough money, but chooses to spend it on frivolous things instead. Hey, get outta my head, you! ---
**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:** [January 24, 2005, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/10 "2005-01-24T19:39:19Z")
I think not changing his oil is the _least_ of **Roland** ’s sins, **Crafter\_Man**. ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Joe\_Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Random)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/11 "2005-01-24T19:43:59Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > Hey, get outta my head, you! Wrap the tin foil tighter next time. Oh, and use two layers. That should prevent any future intrusions. ---
**Author:** ![Jadis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@Jadis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jadis)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/12 "2005-01-24T19:47:52Z")
**Crafter\_Man** , if you start from the premise that **Roland Deschain** is 100% troll and that everything he writes is made up of whole cloth soley for the entertainment value it provides to him when people work themselves into a lather about whatever blithering nonsense he’s going on about, then it all starts to make sense. There is no car. There is no strip club. Hell, it wouldn’t surprise me if there was no wife or child. Troll troll troll. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/13 "2005-01-24T19:48:00Z")
> [@Joe Random](#): > > No, he’s pitting him for claiming to not have enough money to get his oil changed, when in reality he _could_ have enough money, but chooses to spend it on frivolous things instead. Anyone who plays an online game for $5 a pop, yet hasn’t changed his oil in 100,000 miles, has an obvious problem with setting priorities. Or, having a car isn’t that critical to his life. Not everyone has the same priorities. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/14 "2005-01-24T19:55:52Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Or, having a car isn’t that critical to his life. Not everyone has the same priorities. Perhaps. But given the content of his posts, it seems to be symptomatic of a general propensity for shirking responsibility. Today, it’s an oil change; who knows if tomorrow it won’t be a meal for his kids or something? Not saying he’d do that, but you get the idea. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/15 "2005-01-24T19:57:15Z")
I am sure Jiffy Lube will be his first stop after he wins the lottery. ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Joe\_Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Random)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/16 "2005-01-24T20:00:20Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Or, having a car isn’t that critical to his life. Except that **Roland** stated in the linked thread that he wants this car to be a “permanent” car – one that he keeps indefinitely, and simply repairs when it breaks. Sounds like it’s reasonably important for him to have a car, and, bearing that in mind, a little bit of relatively cheap preventative maintenance is preferable to (and cheaper than) waiting for the inevitable total meltdown and _then_ having it repaired. An apple a day is worth a pound of cure . . . or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/17 "2005-01-24T20:04:19Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I think not changing his oil is the _least_ of **Roland** ’s sins, **Crafter\_Man**. Perhaps. But one of my pet peeves is when a person claims they can’t afford something most people would consider “high-priority,” and then they turn around and spend money on entertainment and luxury items. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/18 "2005-01-24T20:13:28Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Perhaps. But one of my pet peeves is when a person claims they can’t afford something most people would consider “high-priority,” and then they turn around and spend money on entertainment and luxury items. But do you really think it a good idea to open a pit thread over a pet peeve? Pit threads are for calling out other Dopers for being a jackass, not engaging in something that you identify as something that only bothers you. In my experience, it’s best to leave pet peeves at the log-in screen. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/19 "2005-01-24T20:18:36Z")
> [@Joe Random](#): > > Except that **Roland** stated in the linked thread that he wants this car to be a “permanent” car – one that he keeps indefinitely, and simply repairs when it breaks. Sounds like it’s reasonably important for him to have a car, and, bearing that in mind, a little bit of relatively cheap preventative maintenance is preferable to (and cheaper than) waiting for the inevitable total meltdown and _then_ having it repaired. > > An apple a day is worth a pound of cure . . . or something like that. Well, I never said it was _smart_, it just didn’t seem particularly pittable. It’s his car, and his money. To you, having a car that runs well is high priority, so that’s what you spend your money on. To him, playing online games and having indiscriminate sex with random strangers is high priority, and he spends accordingly. Big fuckin’ deal. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446/20 "2005-01-24T21:51:56Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Perhaps. But one of my pet peeves is when a person claims they can’t afford something most people would consider “high-priority,” and then they turn around and spend money on entertainment and luxury items. The problem here is that just because “most people” consider something a high priority, and consider other things to be “luxury items” does not mean that everyone must thing the same way. Hell, i know people who don’t consider even owning a car to be a “high priority.” Are they being irresponsible with their money. Also, when we talk about not being able to afford something, it doesn’t always literally mean that we don’t have enough money to puy that thing. What it often means is that we are not willing to spend what the item costs. For example, given my current financial situation, i could say that i can’t afford to buy a $100 bottle of wine. Actually, i do have over $100, and spending that $100 on a bottle of wine would not leave me starving or unable to pay my rent. But when i’m saying that i can’t afford a $100 bottle of wine, what i’m saying is that the marginal cost of purchasing that wine is not worth its marginal value to me, and that the opportunity cost of purchasing that wine is too high for me to pay. This is a subjective judgment, and it’s the sort of economic calculation we make every day without even thinking about it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roland-deschain-your-priorities-are-screwed-up-lame-rant/286446.md?page=2)