# The stages of being on The Dope **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 25, 2015, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127 "2015-07-25T01:41:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2015, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/21 "2015-07-25T23:13:31Z")
> [@jimbuff314](#): > > We’re all rooting for you. Thanks. … I think. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2015, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/22 "2015-07-25T23:22:07Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > I must have my own stage. I’m a fluffy, innocuous poster unless I see something outrageous and I have to post “Are you kidding me??” or something similar. Then I go back to being a fluffy, innocuous poster. I’m not terribly clever like some people here, but I hope sometimes I can make someone laugh. No way would I set foot in some of those debate threads! > > That’s been pretty much it from day one. I usually just click on the new posts tab to get to the threads, so about the only time I end up in great debates is by accident - like when a thread with some wacky title about something completely inane that you would not possibly think could be in great debates is in fact in Great Debates . . . and has run on to 3 pages already. ---
**Author:** ![MsKaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@MsKaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsKaren)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2015, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/23 "2015-07-26T00:02:50Z")
Lurk and read GQ and Cafe Society mostly Register and continue lurking and reading Post once or twice and get warmly welcomed 😃 Go back to lurking and reading, adding MPSIMS and some others Put up a rare post now and then ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2015, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/24 "2015-07-26T00:37:49Z")
Another one. Not sure what stage number. the area of things that happen when you’ve been on the board for a while. **Checking the Join Date** someone posts something long and rambling about their girlfriend cheating, or no girlfriend, or cheating, etc. or something wacky about the lizard people. I automatically check the join date. It’s almost always an accurate predictor. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2015, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/25 "2015-07-26T01:07:27Z")
I didn’t pay any attention to forums until I got my ass reamed out a few times. I thought every forum was " my humble opinion" . I also had no idea people actually knew what they were talking about here, I just stumbled across the board while surfing the web. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2015, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/26 "2015-07-26T01:41:20Z")
What stage is it when it really does seem like all you see is “the usual suspects” endlessly arguing the exact same topics, in the exact same ways, over and over and over again? Because that’s where I am. Fatigued with the sheer lunacy of doing that forever. I wanna tell 'em to shaddup already. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2015, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/27 "2015-07-26T04:47:32Z")
I’m somewhere around stage 11, in which much of my life is defined by things I’ve seen or learned about on the Dope. I was just thinking the other day that I primarily experienced 9/11 and election night 2008 through this message board. I occasionally get slightly bored or annoyed with the tone of the board, but in 15 years I’ve never made the decision to quit for even a day. ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2015, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/28 "2015-07-26T15:37:07Z")
> [@ddsun](#): > > \*\*Stage 1: Lurking \*\* Like many, I think, I lurked in quiet obscurity for a long time before I dared say a word. Not me! I doubt I’m unusual. It’s a curse, but … [xkcd: Duty Calls](https://xkcd.com/386/) - Duty Calls > [@](#): > > **Stage 2: MPSMIMS/IMHO Only** I stayed in these areas of the board for a long time. The rest of the board was scary! There be monsters! Not me, and I doubt I’m unusual. GQ is still my favorite. Learned a lot there! Posted a lot of mistakes there too! My stages were: 1 - Jump in with both feet 2 - Learn not to call another poster an idiot (even when it’s self-inclusive, ironic, and possibly funny) 3 - Allow my ignorance to be fought No doubt, achieving #3 fully will be a life-long struggle. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2015, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/29 "2015-07-26T16:15:30Z")
We missed out the, ‘I am not bothering to give my wisdom out yet again on this subject, its common sense to anyone with a brain - doesn’t anyone ever read previous threads on this subject, and anyway, I know I’m right’ stage ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2015, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/30 "2015-07-26T16:36:49Z")
I didn’t lurk at all and I jumped in to all the forums equally. Now, I tend to be a Cafe hound, but don’t avoid the other forums. I do love a great Pit trainwreck, backfired or not. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2015, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/31 "2015-07-26T17:43:24Z")
> [@Learjeff](#): > > Not me! I doubt I’m unusual. It’s a curse, but … > > [xkcd: Duty Calls](https://xkcd.com/386/) - Duty calls Best strip evah! Although I have to learn when to walk away… > [@](#): > > Not me, and I doubt I’m unusual. GQ is still my favorite. Learned a lot there! Posted a lot of mistakes there too! > > My stages were: > > 1 - Jump in with both feet > 2 - Learn not to call another poster an idiot (even when it’s self-inclusive, ironic, and possibly funny) > 3 - Allow my ignorance to be fought > > No doubt, achieving #3 fully will be a life-long struggle. Yep, a lot of folks are like you. In on the first day. Brave souls, the lot of you! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2015, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/32 "2015-07-26T17:45:35Z")
> [@AncientHumanoid](#): > > I didn’t lurk at all and I jumped in to all the forums equally. Now, I tend to be a Cafe hound, but don’t avoid the other forums. I do love a great Pit trainwreck, backfired or not. Me too. I love the Pit. Right now someone is avoiding me there - not that I have mad skillz or anything - but the Pit is made of awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2015, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/33 "2015-07-26T18:37:03Z")
It’s not about what stage you are on, it’s about what soapbox. ---
**Author:** ![F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c89c15/32.png) [@F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.Pu-du-he-pa-as)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2015, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/34 "2015-07-28T01:33:01Z")
> [@ddsun](#): > > **Stage 5: Using Dope Slang IRL** It wore off, but for a time I walked around saying “I pit the bastard who put hinges on my kitchen cabinets,” and my family would turn and stare at me. Add to this “Referring to frequent posters by their Doper names in regular conversation, especially around non-Dopers.” It gets super confusing as they try to figure out that **Unauthorized Cinnamon** or whoever you’re referring to actually represents a real person. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2015, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/35 "2015-07-28T02:25:16Z")
I, for one, will somtimes say “I, for one…” in social situations or at work. I probably sound like an asshole, but I’m entertaining myself. (I, for one, never used that phrase prior to becoming Dopified.) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2015, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/36 "2015-07-28T02:31:57Z")
I’ve read the Straight Dope column for years. I assumed everyone did. I’m surprised at how many of my contemporaries (in college from 1966-1970) have never heard of it. My stages (roughly) were: 1. Stumble in here probably due to a google search. 2. Note how danged \*smart \*everyone is. On any and every subject. 3. Post some stuff and get slammed/warned because I didn’t follow protocol, due to carelessness, but that was no excuse. 4. Started a friendly, lighthearted thread about the Milk of Human Kindness or something and drew out all the bitter, cynical, misanthropists who normally hide under rocks during the day. 5. Ran away sobbing and swore I’d never be back. Stayed away for months. 6. Came back because no board is like this one. In any way. 7. Accepted that some people will get it and some won’t. No prob. 8. Cite the board multiple times per day in conversations with Normal People. The next step is the Straight Dope Retirement Community… coming soon. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2015, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/37 "2015-07-28T05:31:58Z")
**ThelmaLou** I think I lived in fear of your Stage 5 for a looooong time. Hence my lurking. What if I am an idiot! Today in the Pit, I was informed that I am an idiot. I was able to truthfully reply that the poster’s opinion did not matter to me. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2015, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/38 "2015-07-28T13:14:18Z")
> [@ddsun](#): > > **ThelmaLou** I think I lived in fear of your Stage 5 for a looooong time. Hence my lurking. What if I am an idiot! Today in the Pit, I was informed that I am an idiot. I was able to truthfully reply that the poster’s opinion did not matter to me. 😛 I call that growth! 🙂 Me, I never even go to the Pit. I know my limitations. ---
**Author:** ![Emiliana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@Emiliana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emiliana)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2015, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/39 "2015-07-28T13:26:29Z")
stage 6: realizing that much of Great Debates and IMHO consists of stupidity and bigotry masquerading as intellectual argument stage 7 (I’m not there quite yet): avoiding above and participating in threads that are more enjoyable and less maddening ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2015, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127/40 "2015-07-28T13:57:55Z")
I followed a slightly different path. 1. Find the sight. Join almost immediately. 2. Make about 6-7 fairly mild posts. 3. Forget I am a member and move on—for 11 years 4. Run across the site again, realize I am a member and start posting. Currently I am posting at a fairly good clip in most of the forums and haven’t stepped on my di…broken any rules that I have been informed of. It helps that I can access this site from work and work right now is slow as molasses (except when molasses isn’t slow: [Great Molasses Flood - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Molasses_Flood) ) 1. More of a generalist than a specialist, but hopeful of one day getting my post total to show 1 per day (given I registered in 2004, it’ll take awhile…I’m at 0.08 posts per day right now). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stages-of-being-on-the-dope/726127.md?page=3)