I have especially enjoyed the BBQ pit of flaming F-bombs … I am still trying to decipher why chelation-boosters are even bothering to roll their cement ball up this particular hill :dubious:
what are the fabulous benefits of paying $$$ to post on this particular message board ???
I’m Scots-Irish , but I am not cheap, really
I just want to know what I’d be getting for my money
it it a donation?
whose pocket recieves my $$$ ?
is there a particular political or cultural group who would be likely to join here ?
is this actually a MENSA meeting in disguise ?
is there an US vs THEM clique on SD ?
will I be criticized for my failure to punctuate/spell properly ?
it took me a while to figure out “doper” … so progress has already been achieved, yanno
if ya’ll want my money, please tell me what I be get’en
The question is not so much are we right for you, but are you right for us? We have pretty high standards here, and you will be corrected for spelling and grammar.
That said, for me there are two main benefits of this board- there are some funny, funny people here and laughter’s good for you, and constantly being subjected to different viewpoints. I am much more open-minded and accepting of others’ opinions than I used to be, and I credit the Dope for that.
Those of us who were members at the time the Board went to Pay got a special title, which we keep until we let our membership lapse. We also get to renew for half the regular price, so long as we keep our membership continuous.
Nope
Whoever owns the Chicago Reader these days
Lots of liberals, lots of atheists here. There’s definitely a vocal minority of conservatives and religious (probably not actually a minority… just fewer religious people who bring their religion to the table, here) folks here.
Definitely not. We fight each other’s ignorance for the benefit of all, not for our own aggrandizement. I think.
The closest thing to a widespread clique are the grammar nazis. We won’t pick on you too much if you make an effort, though. Check out this FAQ on Gaudere’s Law: we know our own infallibility
Lurk around a while. If you have any answerable question, post it in GQ before your guest membership expires; you’ll be amazed at how quickly and how thoroughly it gets answered.
Use the guest account for it’s intended purpose - to try out the board for a month to see if it’s worth paying for. Visit, hang out, participate and if, in 30 days time, you feel like you’d miss the place if you couldn’t interact any more, then join. If you feel like you could leave and never think of it again, or that you’d be just as happy reading but not posting, then save your 15 bucks.
30 days is usually plenty of time to figure out if we’re folks like you - or if you’re folks like us. One thing that some new members do is point out our faults to us as if they expect us to change to suit them. That’s not going to happen. The Internet is full of communities and if this one doesn’t suit, move on and find one that will. Don’t expect the members here to take kindly to being told what we are doing “wrong”. It works for us. If it works for you too then stay - we’d love to have you.
And if you haven’t already, check out the stickies at the top of the About This Message Board forum. Lots of your questions have likely been asked and answered there, and it’ll give you another feel for the boards in general.
Plus, well, I’m here. Imagine what it’ll do for your reputation to be seen with me. No, really. I’m serious. Everybody quit snickering. And I’m nice, dammit!!!
Welcome!
Check out this FAQ on 