# The Diogenes Teleplay **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 13, 2007, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241 "2007-11-13T14:55:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/221 "2007-12-05T14:36:40Z")
[QUOTE=cricetus] What I had hoped it would prove is that Dio, who has sworn for years that he’d love to be a writer, would find the wherewithal to take that dream seriously and commit to a project. [/QUOTE] Also quoted for Leviosaurus. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/222 "2007-12-05T14:46:27Z")
[QUOTE=Nutty Bunny] Seriously? Because any surgery is risky. Any time you’re under general anethesia, there are risks. It’s especially scary when it’s your child. If my (almost) 2 year old daughter had to have any surgery, I would be a mess and I’d find it difficult to do my regular full-time job, much less try to concentrate on a job I’ve just started to do. [/QUOTE] Dio can certainly take the week off of the stupid teleplay. My point was never that this is more important than his daughter or that he really needs to finish the thing today. It was really just his comment that he didn’t know when he’d get back to it… sounded to me like he was trying to put the thing on indefinite hold. Lord knows how many writers I know who have a half-finished something stuffed into a drawer and they don’t know when they’ll get back to it. It sounds now that he was thinking very short-term, and not long haul, and I’m happy with that. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/223 "2007-12-05T14:49:38Z")
> [@](#): > > It’s especially scary when it’s your child. If my (almost) 2 year old daughter had to have any surgery, I would be a mess and I’d find it difficult to do my regular full-time job, much less try to concentrate on a job I’ve just started to do. Me too, but for only a day or two. ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/224 "2007-12-05T15:51:05Z")
[QUOTE=brazil84] Me too, but for only a day or two. [/QUOTE] Same here, but my problem with what you said was that you thought he needed to mention that it was minor. That’s beside the point. He never implied (IMO anyway) that he was going to be away from the project for a long time. So the surgery being minor isn’t necessarily relevant. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/225 "2007-12-05T15:57:35Z")
I don’t know. People who expect to get back to something soon rarely say, “I don’t know when I’ll be able to do it.” They say, “I can’t this week, because I’ve got some family business, but next week looks good.” Or, in writing terms, I have told two editors recently, “I might not be able to make that deadline because of my day job, but I’ll get it to you by [approximate date].” Even people in my crit group – so far unpublished writers with day jobs and families – have self-imposed deadlines on their projects. If they move it back, they move it back, but there’s still a date mind, not a foreverish kind of open-ended “I don’t know when.” ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/226 "2007-12-05T16:13:49Z")
[QUOTE=Nutty Bunny] Same here, but my problem with what you said was that you thought he needed to mention that it was minor. That’s beside the point. He never implied (IMO anyway) that he was going to be away from the project for a long time. So the surgery being minor isn’t necessarily relevant. [/QUOTE] Here’s what he said: > [@](#): > > I’m still working on it. I’ve just had a series of events which have kept me from being able to sit at the computer. One of my daughters is having surgery tomorrow morning. I don’t know when I’ll be able to get back to work on this Sounds to me like he was postponing things indefinitely. The implication was that his daughter’s surgery was a factor. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/227 "2007-12-05T16:17:41Z")
[QUOTE=brazil84] Maybe not, but I just wanted to say I think it’s pretty un-classy of **Diogenes** to mention his daughter’s surgery in this thread without mentioning that it’s minor at the same time. [/QUOTE] Never had a two year old child go to surgery, have you? I’ve had two, and there is no such thing as “minor” surgery on your own two year old child. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/228 "2007-12-05T16:31:57Z")
[QUOTE=Don’t Call Me Shirley] Never had a two year old child go to surgery, have you? I’ve had two, and there is no such thing as “minor” surgery on your own two year old child. [/QUOTE] It depends how you define “minor.” How many weeks would you take off from work if your 2 year old needed to have a wart removed with liquid nitrogen? ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/229 "2007-12-05T16:33:52Z")
This thread is greatly in danger of becoming a monstrous train wreck with endless glurge about who does and who doesn’t care about TEH CHILREN!. Nobody is suggesting that Dio bring a laptop to OR. They’re just saying that most writers have to work around such family issues all the time. Incidentally, did anyone notice that Dio has said he’s going to work afterwards? He’s not so anxious/distressed that he can’t function. He’s just busy. I welcome anyone who wants to pursue the topic of children getting surgery in MPIMS or IMHO and get back on topic with this one. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/230 "2007-12-05T17:04:39Z")
[QUOTE=brazil84] It depends how you define “minor.” How many weeks would you take off from work if your 2 year old needed to have a wart removed with liquid nitrogen? [/QUOTE] That’s not exactly surgery. But since you asked, I’d take off 2% of a week. [QUOTE=cricetus] This thread is greatly in danger of becoming a monstrous train wreck with endless glurge about who does and who doesn’t care about TEH CHILREN!. Nobody is suggesting that Dio bring a laptop to OR. They’re just saying that most writers have to work around such family issues all the time. Incidentally, did anyone notice that Dio has said he’s going to work afterwards? He’s not so anxious/distressed that he can’t function. He’s just busy. [/QUOTE] Oh, and this is a load of crap. **Dio is not a writer.** If he was, going back to work would mean writing something. In this case, going back to work means going to his 9-5 job. I’m baffled at the number of people that think Dio should put his regular life on hold to simulate a writer’s life more closely. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/231 "2007-12-05T17:29:27Z")
Out of deference to **cricetus** ’ request, I will try to refrain from debating “THE CHILDREN.” I’ve stated my opinion; I stand by it; and if anyone wants to flame me for my insensitivity I would ask that you open a new thread. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/232 "2007-12-05T17:31:36Z")
[QUOTE=Justin\_Bailey] **Dio is not a writer.** If he was, going back to work would mean writing something. In this case, going back to work means going to his 9-5 job. [/quote] Dio fancies himself a writer, and considers himself really good at it, and thinks it is easy. Your bold text is therefore mean and spiteful. If somebody wants to write, why be pissy about it? Let him try, say I. Most writers, including published ones, have to work around day jobs. God, I just got the strangest feeling of deja vu, like I’ve said that several times before. > [@](#): > > I’m baffled at the number of people that think Dio should put his regular life on hold to simulate a writer’s life more closely. Do you think anyone else’s life is on hold while they write? That they don’t have day jobs or families? The fact is that most writers have both, and they get the work done anyway. In other words, we expect him NOT to put his life on hold, and find a way to get the writing done anyway, because that would simulate a writer’s life more closely. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/233 "2007-12-05T17:37:05Z")
OH. MY. GOD. This is getting beyond ridiculous. You know, I think that **Diogenes** was being a bit of an ass in the way he expressed his opinion about the writing talent in Hollywood. I think it’s fair and kind of funny to ask him to produce a script, just so he can see the kind of work that goes into it. But it’s only an internet challenge. If the guy has a family situation he’s dealing with, let him deal with it, for god’s sake. My regular _employers_ wouldn’t put this much pressure on me to get back to work if my toddler was having surgery. And I don’t really give a fuck if you are related to him, want to encourage him, want to prove him wrong, think he can’t do it, think he won’t do it, or whatever the case may be. **brazil84** , making obnoxious and tasteless jokes about a 2-year-old’s surgery is really assholish behavior. I wouldn’t blame **Diogenes** if he tracked you down and knocked your teeth in. And to **cricetus** …I don’t think it’s that weird that **Diogenes** hadn’t mentioned your niece’s surgery to you. I’m pretty close to my siblings, but I wouldn’t necessarily call each one of them to let them know if something like this was going on. I might mention it to my mom, who might mention it to them, but I wouldn’t necessarily get everyone worried about it if it was a minor thing. On the other hand, I might mention it to minor acquaintances or around here if it was relevant to a discussion I was having. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/234 "2007-12-05T17:43:05Z")
[QUOTE=cricetus] Do you think anyone else’s life is on hold while they write? That they don’t have day jobs or families? The fact is that most writers have both, and they get the work done anyway. In other words, we expect him NOT to put his life on hold, and find a way to get the writing done anyway, because that would simulate a writer’s life more closely. [/QUOTE] Are you saying that most people who write screenplays for current TV programs have day jobs? Isn’t that the group that \*\*Dio \*\*was claiming to be better than? Plus, what \*\*Sarahfeena \*\*said. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/235 "2007-12-05T17:47:58Z")
[QUOTE=cricetus] Dio fancies himself a writer, and considers himself really good at it, and thinks it is easy. Your bold text is therefore mean and spiteful. If somebody wants to write, why be pissy about it? Let him try, say I. [/QUOTE] Mean and spiteful? Dio is not, by his own admission, a professional writer. Why are you getting all huffy? [QUOTE=cricetus] Most writers, including published ones, have to work around day jobs. God, I just got the strangest feeling of deja vu, like I’ve said that several times before. [/QUOTE] They also write with the expectation of being paid for their work. I don’t think any writer would choose to write something “for fun” when their two year old is having surgery. [QUOTE=cricetus] Do you think anyone else’s life is on hold while they write? That they don’t have day jobs or families? The fact is that most writers have both, and they get the work done anyway. In other words, we expect him NOT to put his life on hold, and find a way to get the writing done anyway, because that would simulate a writer’s life more closely. [/QUOTE] I love this Internet characterization that “writers” are always writing. If they’re on the crapper, they’re writing. If they’re waiting for a bus, they’re writing. If they’re slacking off at their day job, they’re writing. You know what, I would bet good money that sometimes writers won’t write if something major like a\* surgeon doing their thing on his child\* is happening ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/236 "2007-12-05T17:52:59Z")
[QUOTE=brazil84] It depends how you define “minor.” How many weeks would you take off from work if your 2 year old needed to have a wart removed with liquid nitrogen? [/QUOTE] Right…because general anesthesia is required for wart removal. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/237 "2007-12-05T18:08:13Z")
[QUOTE=Sarahfeena] **brazil84** , making obnoxious and tasteless jokes about a 2-year-old’s surgery is really assholish behavior. [/quote] You gotta be kidding me. (Ok, I said I’d try to refrain . . . but GMAB.) Which post of mine contains an obnoxious and tasteless joke? ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/238 "2007-12-05T18:15:52Z")
[QUOTE=brazil84] You gotta be kidding me. (Ok, I said I’d try to refrain . . . but GMAB.) Which post of mine contains an obnoxious and tasteless joke? [/QUOTE] Fuck me…I meant **Vinyl Turnip**. I think since VT quoted you in the post with the obnoxious comment, I got all kerflustered and put down the wrong name. I am so, so sorry to you! Your teeth may remain intact, as far as I’m concerned! ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/239 "2007-12-05T18:57:04Z")
[QUOTE=Sarahfeena] And to **cricetus** …I don’t think it’s that weird that **Diogenes** hadn’t mentioned your niece’s surgery to you. [/QUOTE] Given this thread, it’s pretty clear to me that I would minimize contact with someone in my family who was like this. I’ve no idea if that’s true for **Diogenes** , though. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241/240 "2007-12-05T19:17:44Z")
[QUOTE=Sarahfeena] making obnoxious and tasteless jokes about a 2-year-old’s surgery is really assholish behavior. I wouldn’t blame **Diogenes** if he tracked you down and knocked your teeth in. [/QUOTE] In retrospect, you’re right. Although I wouldn’t have said it if he’d indicated it was serious, that was a bit much. Sorry, **Dio**. Please spare my teeth. It’s not their fault. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-diogenes-teleplay/426241.md?page=13)