# The Banning of Starving Artist **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 1, 2018, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291 "2018-10-01T23:18:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/81 "2018-10-02T08:16:01Z")
> [@susan](#): > > I’ve been here since 2002 and I’m pretty sure I haven’t been a jerk. I’m reasonably sure I have; some times unintentionally (language fails), some times because I was having a bad brain day. But I haven’t made a career of it. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/82 "2018-10-02T08:56:26Z")
Good riddance to bad rubbish. Let’s not speak of him again. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/83 "2018-10-02T10:29:56Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > This post would appear to tread dangerously close to this one of the board’s prohibitions: “[Do not post threats or state or imply that any individual or group is deserving of harm.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/faq.php?faq=vb3_board_faq)” Step 1: Make the thread about **HurricaneDitka.** Step 2: Provoke reactions with bizarre, irrelevant posts. Step 3: Climb up on your cross and wail in agony. Step 4: Run to the mods and complain about trivial nonsense. You really are a piece of work. ---
**Author:** ![polar\_bear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@polar\_bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/polar_bear)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/84 "2018-10-02T10:40:08Z")
Well, it shows the sdmb is no better than other boards, if you keep posting unpopular opinions someone will find a reason to ban you eventually. I’ve mostly been surprised people are willing to admit they think “freedom of expression is less important than people being offended”. I’m flabergasted this now seems to be the mantra here in general. Verstuurd vanaf mijn moto g(6) met Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/85 "2018-10-02T10:53:58Z")
> [@polar\_bear](#): > > Well, it shows the sdmb is no better than other boards, if you keep posting unpopular opinions someone will find a reason to ban you eventually. That’s a ludicrous statement. Just as JAMA isn’t required to publish or even entertain screeds on eugenics or racism the SDMB is under no obligation to endure hateful rambling under the guise of free speech. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/86 "2018-10-02T10:58:23Z")
> [@polar\_bear](#): > > Well, it shows the sdmb is no better than other boards, if you keep posting unpopular opinions someone will find a reason to ban you eventually. > > I’ve mostly been surprised people are willing to admit they think “freedom of expression is less important than people being offended”. I’m flabergasted this now seems to be the mantra here in general. > > Verstuurd vanaf mijn moto g(6) met Tapatalk The guy was here 15 frigging years, dude. That’s a long damn “eventually” so I’m pretty sure you’re not reading the situation right. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/87 "2018-10-02T11:00:57Z")
> [@polar\_bear](#): > > if you keep posting unpopular opinions someone will find a reason to ban you eventually. Misogyny is just an “unpopular opinion” to you? ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/88 "2018-10-02T11:19:42Z")
> [@polar\_bear](#): > > Well, it shows the sdmb is no better than other boards, if you keep posting unpopular opinions someone will find a reason to ban you eventually. > > I’ve mostly been surprised people are willing to admit they think “freedom of expression is less important than people being offended”. I’m flabergasted this now seems to be the mantra here in general. Every forum worth the title deals with trolls. People who are not interested in or capable of rational discussion. **Starving Artist** made [this post](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=21195056&highlight=bra%EDnwashed#post21195056). Trolling? Maybe, maybe not - but either way, his opinions are horrendous and incredibly offensive to many of the people here, and perhaps more importantly, he’s _unwilling to debate them in a manner anywhere nearing honestly_. And at that point, he’s got to go, as there is clearly no point in further discussion and he’s alienating the people who actually _are_ there for reasonable discussion. What, exactly, is the point of “freedom of expression” in a discussion forum? No, seriously, think about it. What is it there for? If I want that, I can go to 4chan. The purpose of free expression here is to have many different viewpoints so that we can debate and learn from each other. A free marketplace of ideas has its value. It’s just that sometimes, that marketplace gets polluted by bad actors who cannot or will not debate honestly. Those people are often referred to as “trolls” and they actively work _against_ reasonable discussion. So fuck 'em. This forum is _really_ bad at spotting trolls. **Clothahump** was here for _18 fucking years_, that’s how bad they are. This is a pleasant step in the right direction and I applaud the mods for their decision. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/89 "2018-10-02T11:34:17Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I know, and now that Starving Artist is banned, I suspect the mob will move on to other targets. And I’ll take this opportunity to remind everyone about this evenings meeting! ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/90 "2018-10-02T11:42:52Z")
Feel free to discuss mob rule. It’s not true but feel free. The shots at Hurricane Ditka, on the other hand, is a hijack and off limits. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/91 "2018-10-02T11:43:12Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Ahh, there, see, I feel better already 🙂 But before that you were getting worried weren’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/93 "2018-10-02T12:38:57Z")
Y’know, if someone’s really unpopular and then gets banned, it’s just possible that the mob objected to that person for the same reasons that the staff did, and that the person really was reprehensible and got what they deserved. For me personally, the last straw was when he insisted that he knew more about how women felt than women themselves did, because women have all been brainwashed to the point of being incapable of thinking for themselves. Once you’re working from a premise like that, reasoned discourse is simply impossible. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/94 "2018-10-02T12:50:57Z")
Hard to argue with this move. I don’t think I ever got into extensive discussions with the guy, and pretty much ignored most of his goings to, but I did watch the recent “what’s so bad about attempted rape” episode with a bit of interaction with him. But mostly just looked at it with astonishment that someone could be so cluelessly offensive. I suppose one might argue that he should have been given a chance to redeem himself after an appropriately long suspension, but you know what they say about old dogs and new tricks. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/95 "2018-10-02T13:03:04Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > For me personally, the last straw was when he insisted that he knew more about how women felt than women themselves did, because women have all been brainwashed to the point of being incapable of thinking for themselves. Once you’re working from a premise like that, reasoned discourse is simply impossible. Because of course the damn hippie liberals ruined everything with their culture war against a more genteel way of living… remember his longstanding schtick of nostalgia for a more polite society? He seemed to have given up on it in the end. However looking back on his apparent position that the progress against racism and sexism was not worth his perceived cultural coarsening (and his repeatedly wrong claims of multiple different socal problems getting worse when they’re getting better)… It did not seem to come across to him that maybe, just maybe, if the polite, respectable members of society could have rallied to the fight against racism and sexism, rather than resist the change, it would have been nicer. But then I can see where the attitude comes from in his debating style: the “respectable citizen” refuses to back down on sexist/racist positions, so the ones seeking reform are forced to struggle forcefully and to denounce the institutions that prevent progress; then the “respectable citizen” points to them and says “you see, being so combative, scorning the well-established mores that hold this community together, is proof that you can’t make your point reasonably”. And he had the nerve to denounce “dishonesty”. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/96 "2018-10-02T13:09:21Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > And I’ll take this opportunity to remind everyone about this evenings meeting! Tonight? I thought it was tomorrow. I won’t be able to make the meeting; I’m going to be confiscating guns and raising taxes tonight. Just vote yes for me on everything the hive mind suggests. Gotta go. I’m supposed to be forcing somebody to gay marry and I’m running late. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/97 "2018-10-02T13:16:24Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > While he’s received relatively few warnings (just one in the last three years, and six total),[the latest one](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21236376&postcount=124) was particularly bad and indicative of a long history that we should have addressed long ago. Wow. His whole “better off in 1960” thing took a really nasty turn there. Kudos to Bone on that editorial color comment though. I would be a much bigger fan of moderation in general if all mod notes and warning were accompanied by “that is disgusting” or “you’re a moron” or “go drink some paint, you mouth-breathing knuckle-dragger.” ---
**Author:** ![Emiliana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@Emiliana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emiliana)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/98 "2018-10-02T13:27:40Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Misogyny is just an “unpopular opinion” to you? He’s the guy who believes that prostitutes really, really enjoy their sexy time with him. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/99 "2018-10-02T13:34:50Z")
Well you know 1960 was a great time in America as long as you were a white male and preferably Christian. Women loved being pinched on the behind, they knew it was a compliment and were thankful when they got their M.R.S. degree so they could enjoy being a homemaker. Yes sir, those were the days. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/100 "2018-10-02T13:37:23Z")
This banning has been long overdue. I was actually surprised he wasn’t called out for this gem. [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21232941&postcount=230](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21232941&postcount=230) It shows just how out of touch he really is. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291/101 "2018-10-02T13:48:24Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I know, and now that Starving Artist is banned, I suspect the mob will move on to other targets. Yep, you’re next. We’re discussing it in the Mob Loop right now. Tread carefully, my son. Re: the actual thread topic, all I can say is…he won’t be missed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-starving-artist/822291.md?page=6)