# Should mpsims be changed? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 7, 2000, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504 "2000-03-07T14:15:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/21 "2000-03-08T00:54:00Z")
## I’d like to suggest **The Hen House** or **The Tupperware Party**. **Gypsy** : Tom, I don’t get you. **Tom Servo** : Nobody does. I’m the wind, baby. ---
**Author:** ![aha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/22 "2000-03-08T00:55:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by handy: > \*\* > aha, some of the first message topics you posted, were, well…\*\* Ouch Handy! Hey we were all young and foolish once. I guess those earlier posts will preclude me in running for forum president. 😛 * * * Yours truly, aha ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/23 "2000-03-08T01:26:00Z")
It seems like there are several types of posts here in MPSIMS. They include (all are recent examples, not intended to signify anything more than an example): 1. the true sharing of mundane and pointless stuff. See the “I like toast” thread [http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/005728.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/005728.html) or the Bailey from WKRP thread. 2. the personal messages among the Dopers, including the wishes and prayers for Wally, [http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/005634.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/005634.html) , the 500 post parties and a whole host of others, some of which are mundane and pointless, others of which are not. 3. the requests for mundane and pointless personal information, such as the question about things found in deceased relatives houses [http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/005738.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/005738.html) 4. the jokes, games, and theme threads, like the Haiku thread [http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/004814.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/004814.html) or Guy Stuff, all of which are pointless (though hardly mundane). 5. the requests for answers to personal (as opposed to general) questions, looking for advice, sympathy, and similar experiences, like the potty training veterans thread [http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/005719.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/005719.html) or the Samantha (dog) misses Larry (dog) thread. Not very mundane or pointless at all. 6. the threads that start out mundane and pointless sharing, and then turn into support sessions, advice, debates (personal, as opposed to great), discussions, and other non-mundane, non-pointless stuff, such as aha’s tattoo thread [http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/005655.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/005655.html) , which really started off as a rant about his son’s tattoo, but which turned into a thoughtful discussion of tattoos, support for him and his feelings, and general sharing and ideas. Now with all of these different types of posts (and hosts of others), how are we going to divide those which are in the new Truly MPSIMS and the proposed section of “Specific Questions, Lesser Debates, and Stuff I Must Share that Is Relevant and Pointed,” particularly as many threads seem to wander from the mundane to the relevant, from questions to debates, and back again. Now it can be fairly clear when a General Question shifts into a Great Debate, so the GQ moderators can move it, but how would the moderators be able to patrol that border. I relize that MPSIMS is a title that is much more limited than the true scope of the forum, but it’s not too bad. So far, none of the other suggestions I have heard are as catchy, nor do they have that little bit of Cecil-like wit that the title MPSIMS has. My vote is to keep things like they are. (And by the way, my response is to try as hard as I can to avoid having to pronounce MPSIMS.) ---
**Author:** ![ChrisCTP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@ChrisCTP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisCTP)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/24 "2000-03-08T03:34:00Z")
“Should mpsims be changed?” Absolutely not. MPSIMS (which, BTW, is pronounced “mip-simms”) should be left as is…unless we changed the P to mean “personal” rather than “pointless”. There’s really no reason to have ten-thousand different threads for the ten-thousand different levels of MPSIMS. Technically, this board is still primarily about the GQ and Comments forums. MPSIMS is a luxury. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. * * * “I like toast.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ChrisCTP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@ChrisCTP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisCTP)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/25 "2000-03-08T03:36:00Z")
> [@](#): > > ten-thousand different threads Sorry, that should read “forums” not “threads”. * * * “I like toast.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/26 "2000-03-08T03:41:00Z")
Billdo- You think too much. Love, Green Bean ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/27 "2000-03-08T05:06:00Z")
I think we should keep the same number of forums. The forums we have have already attracted their own cliques; too much subdivision would estrange too many people. * * * I guess I’m just better off living with my inner tensions. —Snoopy ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/28 "2000-03-08T05:42:00Z")
We could always rename the forum “Titanic Wallpaper”… * * * Your Official Cat Goddess since 10/20/99. _SD chat:_ **\** Kat’s here! the board must be down! ---
**Author:** ![froololly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/87869e/32.png) [@froololly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/froololly)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/29 "2000-03-08T06:09:00Z")
as a “newbie”, i must say i like the MPSIMS title… it’s like a warehouse of all the eclectic tidbits one could possibly cram into one place, especially when you can’t figure out where else it could possibly go!! guess that’s it… * * * “…for i am always a lady, archy… always a lady. i did not do anything vulgar. i simply removed his right eye with my left claw.” mehetibel the cat on the subject of marraige ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/30 "2000-03-08T06:20:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Technically, this board is still primarily about the GQ and Comments forums. MPSIMS is a luxury. MPSIMS is actually the most popular forum. And many here will argue that it’s also the most important. BTW, **if** the name gets changed (which it probably won’t), I really like “The Watercooler.” Adam * * * “Life is hard…but God is good” ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/31 "2000-03-08T06:36:00Z")
::sound of a 6’4" Irish-Italian’s knuckles popping:: Who here thinks MPSIMS is the most important forum? Hmmm? * * * **Gypsy** : Tom, I don’t get you. **Tom Servo** : Nobody does. I’m the wind, baby. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/32 "2000-03-08T08:58:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Technically, this board is still primarily about the GQ and Comments forums. MPSIMS is a luxury. More accurately, MPSIMS (and the Pit, and to a lesser extent GD) is a necessary evil, to prevent GQ from being overwhelmed with extraneous fluff. MPSIMS is the appendix of the SDMB, collecting all the fingernails and melon seeds that would otherwise threaten the quest to eradicate ignorance. > [@](#): > > MPSIMS is actually the most popular forum. And many here will argue that it’s also the most important. Important to what? The mission here is to fight ignorance, not hand holding and head patting. And while I’m on the subject, since when does the most popular equal the most important? By that reasoning, the most important things in America are “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”, Pokemon and Britney Spears. Could you have a more superficial standard for “importance”? * * * TT “It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.” –James Thurber ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/33 "2000-03-08T14:34:00Z")
Sheesh! I never said _I_ thought it was the most important forum. ## I’m guessing there are quite a few regulars who never (or rarely) venture into GQ, GD, or the Pit. All they do is spend time here in MPSIMS. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Don’t you think that makes this place the most important to them? “Life is hard…but God is good” ---
**Author:** ![ChrisCTP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@ChrisCTP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisCTP)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/34 "2000-03-08T17:02:00Z")
Agreed, it’s one of the more popular forums, but it’s not “important” enough to split it off into several different levels. MPSIMS is the SD Lounge…lots of different tables, lots of different conversations. The way it is, it’s perfect. * * * “I like toast.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/35 "2000-03-08T17:32:00Z")
Is it really that big of a deal? ## Sheesh. You turn me on. But maybe it’s because I just spent 20 years in the jungle, getting it on with anything I could attract with a piece of fruit. ---
**Author:** ![Yue\_Han](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/eada6e/32.png) [@Yue\_Han](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yue_Han)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/36 "2000-03-09T06:22:00Z")
We don’t really need a new forum, the title is just slightly inaccurate. If we renamed this forum, most people would still call it MPSIMS out of habit. It isn’t hurting anything, and I don’t think the techies will change it. –John * * * 'Twis brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gymble in the wabe. Mimsy were the borogroves, And the momeraths outgrabe. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/37 "2000-03-09T06:31:00Z")
I’ve always pronounced it “empsimms”. And I think the name works fine. To break it down any further would just not be worth the trouble. In this case broad generalization is a good thing. * * * How 'bout we sing ‘Kyle’s mom is a stupid bitch’ in D minor? ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/38 "2000-03-09T06:43:00Z")
If we rename it, I would like to see it called something meatier, something with more gravitas. Something like… The Forum of Death! ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/39 "2000-03-09T06:44:00Z")
Do people actually go around pronouncing mpsims? “Well boss, that report was due last Thursday but the mpsims thread on toast really captured my attention.” “I’m sorry Dr. Lewis. I know I’ve should have gotten some pre-natal care but mpsims had a good potty training thread.” When do you actually get to pronounce mpsims? * * * Teacher, my red crayon tastes funny – Ralph Wiggum ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504/40 "2000-03-08T21:22:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Is it really that big of a deal? > Sheesh. Um, no. That’s why it’s in MPSIMS. Your reply could be used for every thread in this forum. * * * **Gypsy** : Tom, I don’t get you. **Tom Servo** : Nobody does. I’m the wind, baby. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mpsims-be-changed/14504.md?page=3)