Why doesn’t SDMB have no love for exciting people?
This is one of the few message boards where exciting people (for example, trolls, comedians, idiots, or even credible posters who happen to be controversial) are treated like lepers.
I don’t think it’s a joke. Our esteemed OP also started a thread called Ask the ex-troll in IMHO, which was quickly locked - as well it should have been.
Bolding mine. You see, Themis00 is apparently quite proud of his idiocy, as we can see in this thread:
Just off the top of my head I have seen on this board:
Libertarians
Bolsheviks
Fundamentalist Christians
Atheists
People with conventional marriages
People with UNconventional marriages
Old folks
Young folks
Americans
Arabs
Jews
and a great many others. And they all have a place at the table.
What we (I speak the royal ‘we’ here, of course) don’t much dig is idiots who think their humor is more important than the discussion.
Every day I thank God that we’re not like most of the 'net.
It seems your definition of “exciting people” differs somewhat from the SDMB’s. Trolls my be exciting to you, but to many they are not so much exciting as they are stupid assholes. Idiots may be exciting but they are, by definition, idiots.
If comedians had no love here, I certainly would be feeling pretty lonely. And posters with controversial ideas— have you read GD lately? I think opening up the bar to everyone is pretty controversial, legalizing both drugs and prostitution? Not your standard position. Incest between consenting adults should not be punishable-- pretty controversial if you ask me.
In short-- you’re wrong. The SDMB loves exciting people. It’s the jerks that we (collectively) have a problem with.
The same rules that defend against trolls and jerks also keep out some great posters. That’s just the trade-off that this board has made in order to maintain order.
The rules against jokes and parodies, for example, do serve a purpose. Jerks could easily post whatever they wanted, and then when called on it say “but it was just a joke/parody!”
So I can see why such rules exist. But at the same time, such rules do discourage some cool posters, and forbid interesting posts.
There’s a rule against jokes and parodies? News to me.
And I disagree, Nightime. A poster who is unable to refrain from acting like a jerk isn’t a “great poster.” Yes, there might be some people who have wonderful experiences or deep insights who are not permitted here because they are unable to engage in polite conversation. If that’s what you mean by “exciting people”, then I agree, we don’t want people who disrupt, are rude, are trying to sell something, peddle porn, throw food, kidnap children, or push old ladies down the stairs, inter alia.. If those are the “exciting” people who are excluded, then I’ll agree. I don’t think any of them are “great posters” if they can’t behave like civilized human beings.
OTOH, in terms of exchange of ideas and viewpoints, and having a great deal of diversity, I think we allow lots of “exciting” people.
There is a difference between “taking a sarcastic tack to discuss an issue backwards, not only to joke about it, but to draw attention to the issue itself…”
…and “being an ass.” This difference is usually pretty obvious.
However, if I behave like an ass, and someone threatens to ban me, I can always say, “Hey, I was simply exercising my own version of wit! And there’s no rules about jokes or humor!” And depending on how the rules are written, I can use this to defend my reprehensible behavior (and gleefully piss off that many more people.)
This is why, I suspect, moderators simply reserve the right to ban trolls, based on their own judgment. As one who has moderated a few boards himself, I respect the idea of not trying to codify everything, of leaving some decisions to the humans. “Be a jerk, and you’re outta here.” I can respect that.
And, well, if you think this is a dull board, well, you’ve got the whole internet to choose from. When come back, bring pie, and all that…
I want to thank the OP for reminding me of 1980s Miss World contestants:
Q: “And what would you do if you won the prize?”
Miss Bulgaria: " I would help to like poor people, work childs in nursery and travel to meet exciting people"
Possibly because your idea of excitement is better suited to, say, the more flagrant teen chatrooms? Themis, you have an unlovely record of treating the SDMB like your own little playground when you’re bored. It’s out of place and not appreciated.
If you think trolling, pranks and general shit slinging are fun then there are plenty of other places around that suit your tastes better. We aren’t going to dumb down this board for your convenience so you have two choices, 1.) match the company or 2.) leave.
Take your pick.
And please do it soon, because I for one am finding your bored whining and blathering rather annoying.