The Other 90%

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

This thread is for the approximately 90% of the board that never gets mentioned in any of the flirt threads, that never get any votes for being the sexiest people on the boards. You know who you are, the ones that never get mentioned as a member of the “elite clique”, the ones whose posts are unmemorable, the ones whose threads sink to the bottom faster then Mir on its death dive. And before someone accuses me of pandering to the others I consider myself in the 90%.

We are the ones that keep the board going, that occasionally contribute a valid point to a discussion, that sometimes help someone out in GQ. We are the ones that would never dream of posting or sending nearly nude pictures of ourselves to others. We would never start a thread to seek attention and we would never dream of starting a post count part for ourselves. Some of us are completely secure in our persons, some of us aren’t , but it doesn’t matter because we are the people that keep the board going. We know that if we leave that only a few would mourn our absence, and that we would not be talked about if we did leave.

We are the 90% of the people that you can’t recall a post they have contributed or a thread they have started, but we are important, for without us the board would disintegrate into a love fest for a few posters.

We have these things in common, but we also have a diversity of opinions, sexual belief structures and backgrounds. When we do make a valid comment it is considered without the colouring of our flirting styles or our screen names. We are the ones that make this the place it is.

For a while it bothered me that I was not one of the board “stars”, but I have grown to accept my role, since I now realize that I may not possess a lot of star power on my own, but with the mass of the 90% with me I do make a difference.

I would like to take this time to say that I am proud to be in the 90%, I am not the king or queen of flirting and I would never dream of trolling, and I would like everybody who agrees with this to check in.

I hope that this isn’t too grandstandy or attention seeking, and that you will consider a little more the opinions of others on the boards, remember the boards are us.

My 2 cents:

Keith

2

Ack! I know you don’t want this, but I’m going to say it anyway. Keith, if you disappeared I would notice.

You know what I think? I think that most people go through life not ever really knowing what a difference they make and how many people do notice them. Okay, yeah, I stole that point from “It’s a Wonderful Life” but even a cheesy movie can contain essential truths.

Amen! And I’d like to add that if I took the time to point out everytime somebody on this board said something that really moved me, or made me laugh or think, all I’d do is post.

3

Keith,

Damn, you had me right up until this part.

Well, yea, I’m a guy, I got a webcam, so of course I have those kind of pictures I’ve sent to others :wink: I thought it was one of those rules of nature. It’s just that nobody’s asked, and I certainly wouldn’t send them to someone who didn’t ask. Doin that’s just plain rude.

And (thank god for preview) I agree with tatertot, I’d notice if you weren’t here too Odieman, the only reason i opened up a thread with such a short subject was because I saw you’d posted it.

-Doug

4

One more of the 90% checking in. I’m pretty comfortable with my role as just another username in the crowd.

5

Keith, you are so 100% right. I have earned a reputation for being quite a flirt on the board… it’s something that I enjoy doing and something that helps me let off some steam. But it’s basically worthless to everyone but me. And for that, I’m sorry. I try to pay attention to what everyone has to say, regardless of if I’ve seen their name in a flirt thread or not, or what their screen name is. But maybe I haven’t been as successful as I should be.

If being the flirt that I am offends you, or any of the other 90% (or more), I heartily apologize and will do my best to tone it down. I certainly don’t mean to make anyone uncomfortable.

I, too, would miss you if you left. And, while I might not notice right away, or bring attention to the fact if I did, it’s more because I haven’t gotten a feel for everyone yet than because you don’t matter. For weeks, I’ve been telling another Doper that if I were to disappear, no one would notice, yet if he would, more people would notice, because he’s been around longer. Reading your thread, seeing your “checklist” made me realize that I’ve done most of those things. So maybe I need to reevalute a few things about my time on the board. I don’t want to be remembered as nothing but a board-slut. I’m just not sure if I can find another niche to fit into.

Thank you for opening my eyes. Seriously.

Amber

6

Another of the 90% checking in.

That’s an interesting point because I was just noticing the other day which threads seem to be read and posted to the most, and almost without fail, those are them.

Takes all kinds I guess, I like the diversity of this board. I just stay away from the self-congratulatory, self-pity and “flirt” threads. And don’t even get me going on the “Sexiest…” threads.

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Count me in for one of the 90%. But TruePisces, don’t roll over and die so quickly. I can relate with Odiemans’ feelings that the majority of Dopers are undervalued and that the other 10% aren’t serious enough. But at the same time, I think the world (and the boards) need both kinds. If all the other 10% did was flirt and goof off, I’d vote they start their own boards. But I’ve seen a lot of coherent, intelligent, funny, sagacious, and even serious posts amidst the horsing around. I think most of the flirting here is tastefully done and adds spice to the boards.

Oh, and way to put yourself out there, Odieman. I admire a guy with brass cajones.

8

[sup]Me! Me me me me me![/sup]

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It’s not so much that I don’t think it has it’s place, flyboy, as I always thought of myself as slightly deeper than that, and I’m coming to realize that I’m really not. It’s something that’s disappointing to me and my view of myself. I’ve just been taking the flirting as the easy way out, because its something that I’m good at. I need to stop looking for the easy way out, and start using the brain that I know I have instead. Start being someone of substance rather than someone of fluff. That’s what it’s opened my eyes to. I’m not saying I won’t ever flirt again, but that I need to remember that I’m good for more than that, and show the people of the SDMB that I’m more than just a slut.

10

Can I be in both groups? Because I’m known as a flirt (Gee, I wonder why…) but I really don’t think too many people would notice if I just left. (Unless of course, I mentioned it somewhere.) I don’t bring much to the board, as far as intellectually stimulating conversation goes, but it was fun for me. And that’s what matters, IMO anyway. (Which doesn’t count for a whole lot.)

11

eh, I hang out, post more some days than others. It took me 9 months to hit 500 posts, and that didn’t stress me out. Like soulmurk, I like the diversity of the board. Knowing that there are people from all walks of life here, from fundies to pagans and all the types in between keeps me coming back. I would say that most don’t recognize my name, but that’s ok, cause I’m here.

12

Who are all you people?

13

Keith, I take issue with your statement that if you left no one would notice. I would notice. All of the other people you have supported, listened to, offered your shoulder to cry on to and given your friendship to would notice.

And I feel that every single poster here adds value to this board. We ALL matter. We all have something to contribute.

Here is a toast to the wonderful people on this board. And a special toast to you, my friend Keith.

Oh and, by the way…if you ever leave you are going to have to take me with you!

Scotti

14

Who the hell is Odieman? :smiley:

Dude, shut yo mouf! You know you are the shit.

I think I was in the 10% a long time ago, for a few days. :wink: I remember I started feeling a “responsibility” toward the board, and it started to lose its appeal. Then I realized I was posting to keep up an image. Uggh. It was bad. Anyway, I learned to temper that and just look for what I was interested. And you’re right, it’s the wide array of intelligence, knowledge, insight and wisdom that keeps this board great, not just a few people.

From a different stance: There are a lot of people who post here “very regularly” (;-)), who contribute an awesome presence to the board and, without who, the board would not be the same.

15

Me too?

16

I like to flirt… but I am married now though. Is that bad? Virtually that is…

Someone, quick, tell me I’m cute damn it!

17

Yeah I’m in the 90% too

But can I proffer an observation? I think the 10% is gonna be different for all of us. FI there is no way I would have put True Pisces in my 10% category ::owww, don’t hit me!:: I think some of us are stars for some people and not for others… that make any sense?

No offence meant True Pisces :).

18

Count me in as part of the 90%! Couldn’t be with a nicer bunch of folks, either.

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No offense taken, Primaflora. I was just putting myself in that category because it seems like all I do on the boards lately is flirt and do most of the other things that Odieman mentioned in the OP. Personally, I think very few people would notice if I was gone. But I haven’t been here long, either.

20

I think I belong in this group.
And Odieman, just because I’ve never interacted with you before doesn’t mean I haven’t read and appreciated your posts, 'cause I have. That goes for all of you. A lot of the time I just don’t have anything relevant, or funny, to say. In fact, a lot of the time I come in here and lurk just so you guys can cheer me up.