# Valete, Vox Imperatoris **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 22, 2009, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419 "2009-01-22T06:23:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/261 "2009-01-25T20:31:47Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > At that age all I did was ejaculate my own body weight. Fair play to him for being precociously thoughtful and not just obsessed with boobs and asses. I agree completely (and I got a big chuckle out of how An Gadai phrased it). Let’s give this young man a break. I’m reminded of when I was 14, and I heard a radio interview with a writer. Someone called in to ask a question, and the radio announcer/interviewer told him quite pointedly to turn his radio off while he was calling (feedback or something). The announcer was about to hang up on the caller, when he realized he might be quite young. He asked his age, was told, I think, 14 or so, and the announcer became apologetic, and said, “Ah yes, great question!”. Anyway, I really felt for the kid – I know it might seem silly, but this was a poignant moment which stuck in my head for 25 years. I know that VI can hold his own (sort of) with the “big guys” of the SDMB, so he can certainly take some fun-poking. But let’s not waste our own time on getting hung up on the little things. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/262 "2009-01-25T21:06:38Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > Because it’s an irritating affectation. And because \*\*Shodan \*\*does it specifically \*because \*it’s irritating. This part is wrong. > [@](#): > > At least in **Shodan** ’s case, we know he does it to be a jerk and to get a rise out of the other people in his community. Same problem. > [@](#): > > And, you know, there’s a damn simple way for all of this to be resolved, and I don’t understand why the mods aren’t forcing him to do this- simply include the signature as part of the _signature_. But by manually typing it out every time, he’s removing our option to ignore his witty little “ta-da” in his every post. This is predicated on the assumption that what you want my posts to look like is important. It’s not. It’s not, even to the point that your assumption that I am doing it to piss you off is wrong. Whether you like it or not, and whether it pisses you off or not, is not exactly something that keeps me up nights. This isn’t a problem that needs to be resolved - it’s a whine that needs to be mocked. You might want to dial back a bit on the ego, punkin - the notion that I should form my posts based on how the pettier minds of the SDMB will react is a bit of exaggeration that does not become you. Like I said earlier, if this is the worst thing you have to complain about, you need a better class of problems. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/263 "2009-01-25T21:20:30Z")
I think I like this thread. That’s all. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/264 "2009-01-25T21:25:06Z")
> [@Lord\_Ashtar](#): > > Methinks you don’t know what it means to make an argument from authority. Uh… yes, I do? As it’s obvious by the same line you are quoting? Therefore the question here is… Do you know what Argument from authority means? ---
**Author:** ![CircleofWillis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/54ee81/32.png) [@CircleofWillis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CircleofWillis)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/265 "2009-01-25T21:33:20Z")
I think this all boils down to these posters don’t give a fat flying fuck what others (no matter how large or small that “others” is defined) think of their posting style. It seems mods have begrudgingly allowed it. Continuing to bring out style guides and grammatical rules isn’t going to help. Pissing, whining, moaning and calling names (or any combination thereof) isn’t going to help. Mocking parody won’t help, especially given the piss poor level of mocking parody shown here. Getting on with the day and finding something more tractable to piss, moan and whine about might help, Sic Semper Piranhas, CircleofWillis ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/266 "2009-01-25T21:36:26Z")
> [@Sr\_Siete](#): > > Uh… yes, I do? As it’s obvious by the same line you are quoting? This must be a new definition of the word _obvious_ I’m unaware of. The line quoted was: > [@You](#): > > I would be [making an argument from authority] if I said “I say that you shouldn’t post your name because I say so and I’m such a nice guy that you should obey me”. In this case, _authority_ doesn’t mean someone in charge or wielding power, but rather an expert in a field. Thus, “As world-famous PhD in Western Standards of Written Communication, Dr. John P. Blowhard, wrote in his book _Protocols of Modern Message Board Communication_, ‘Signatures are unnecessary and redundant and should never be used.’ This proves I’m right!” would be an Argument from Authority (AKA Appeal to Authority) fallacy. So, I think we know the answer to **Lord Ashtar** ’s question. It is “no.” ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/267 "2009-01-25T21:44:41Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > This must be a new definition of the word _obvious_ I’m unaware of. The line quoted was: > > In this case, _authority_ doesn’t mean someone in charge or wielding power, but rather an expert in a field. Thus, “As world-famous PhD in Western Standards of Written Communication, Dr. John P. Blowhard, wrote in his book _Protocols of Modern Message Board Communication_, ‘Signatures are unnecessary and redundant and should never be used.’ This proves I’m right!” would be an Argument from Authority (AKA Appeal to Authority) fallacy. > > So, I think we know the answer to **Lord Ashtar** ’s question. It is “no.” What? Are you insane? What you are describing wouldn’t be a fallacy at all! ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/268 "2009-01-25T21:46:35Z")
> [@Sr\_Siete](#): > > What? Are you insane? What you are describing wouldn’t be a fallacy at all! [Strike three, yer out!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appeal_to_authority#Appeal_to_authority_as_logical_fallacy) ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/269 "2009-01-25T21:48:30Z")
We could all refuse to participate in any thread created by the offenders until they quit it. Who’s in? ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/270 "2009-01-25T21:49:28Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > [Strike three, yer out!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appeal_to_authority#Appeal_to_authority_as_logical_fallacy) [QUOTE=Wikipedia] An (fallacious) appeal to authority argument has the basic form: A makes claim B; there is something positive about A, therefore claim B is true. [/QUOTE] Um… thank you for makinng my point for me? It’s big of you to admit how wrong you were? ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/271 "2009-01-25T22:04:50Z")
> [@Critical1](#): > > I overheard this gem of dialog between a couple to 13ish year old boys once, its been my mission to spread the word ever since. I think that says more about you than the 13 year old boys. Do you realize that the point of this exercise is to use two-line signatures? > [@Sr Siete](#): > > What? Are you insane? What you are describing wouldn’t be a fallacy at all! The point, Speedy Gonzalez, is that it’s fallacious because you’re not a PhD in Western Standards of Written Communication and you haven’t written (or cited) a book about Protocols of Modern Message Board Communication. Hostile Dialect, Hostile Dialect, Narcissist ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/272 "2009-01-25T22:14:42Z")
> [@Hostile\_Dialect](#): > > The point, Speedy Gonzalez, is that it’s fallacious because you’re not a PhD in Western Standards of Written Communication and you haven’t written (or cited) a book about Protocols of Modern Message Board Communication. Close. It’s fallacious because having a PhD in Western Standards of Written Communication or having written a book on Protocols of Modern Message Board Communication does not mean that Dr. Blowhard’s assertion that “signatures should never be used” is necessarily correct or that it “proves” the claimant’s position. Dr. Blowhard may very well be correct, and having considerable expertise in the relevant field means he’s more likely to be correct than the average Joe, but his statements should not be taken as absolute Gospel. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/273 "2009-01-25T22:25:32Z")
I’m thinking Speedy is not going to find Dr. Blowhard’s book on his shelf any time soon, so all that stuff is a moot point. YMMV. Hostile Dialect, Hostile Dialect, Narcissist ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/274 "2009-01-25T22:59:00Z")
> [@Hostile\_Dialect](#): > > The point, Speedy Gonzalez, is that it’s fallacious because you’re not a PhD in Western Standards of Written Communication and you haven’t written (or cited) a book about Protocols of Modern Message Board Communication. > > Hostile Dialect, > Hostile Dialect, Narcissist No, Hostile Dialect, read our conversation again: Q.E.D believes, wrongly, that any sort of appeal to authority is fallacious, and that, therefore, even if I had the PhD and the book, that would count be “argument from authority” and therefore invalid. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/275 "2009-01-25T23:06:00Z")
> [@Sr Siete](#): > > No, Hostile Dialect, read our conversation again: Q.E.D believes, wrongly, that any sort of appeal to authority is fallacious, and that, therefore, even if I had the PhD and the book, that would count be “argument from authority” and therefore invalid. That’s fair, but you must admit that you don’t have the PhD or the book. Now, I happen to agree with you. But it’s plain to me that you can’t argue from a position of universal message-board agreement; the very fact that this MB allows the signatures is a devastating argument against that. Hostile Dialect, Hostile Dialect, Narcissist ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/276 "2009-01-25T23:20:00Z")
> [@Hostile\_Dialect](#): > > The point, Speedy Gonzalez, is that it’s fallacious because you’re not a PhD in Western Standards of Written Communication and you haven’t written (or cited) a book about Protocols of Modern Message Board Communication. Not only that, but it has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not the one making the claim can be accurately described as being “such a nice guy”. ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/277 "2009-01-25T23:20:58Z")
> [@Hostile\_Dialect](#): > > That’s fair, but you must admit that you don’t have the PhD or the book. > > Now, I happen to agree with you. But it’s plain to me that you can’t argue from a position of universal message-board agreement; the very fact that this MB allows the signatures is a devastating argument against that. > > Hostile Dialect, > Hostile Dialect, Narcissist But there is no such book! And, although I did take a bunch of college courses that dealt with McLuhan, the medium and the message and all that noise, that hardly makes me a PhD. That’s why I’m pointing out my position with an argument (that it’s unnecessary redundancy, and redundancy goes against clarity of the message) and letting you all decide if it’s convincing enough for you, and not in any way appealing to neither authority nor expertise. That’s the point when the thread derailed into a “what does argument from authority mean?” discussion. ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/278 "2009-01-25T23:20:59Z")
I still don’t understand why we can’t just keep the sigs in the sig section. I don’t retype my username right under my username because it’s already there for anyone that wants to read it. ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/279 "2009-01-25T23:22:11Z")
> [@Lord\_Ashtar](#): > > Not only that, but it has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not the one making the claim can be accurately described as being “such a nice guy”. Exactly! That’s why that would have been a fallacy! Because being a nice guy (or not) wouldn’t make me an expert in the written language! ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419/280 "2009-01-25T23:24:53Z")
> [@clayton\_e](#): > > I still don’t understand why we can’t just keep the sigs in the sig section. I don’t retype my username right under my username because it’s already there for anyone that wants to read it. Because the signatures only appear automatically once per page (something to do with causing too much streess in the servers), and the pro-signature-ers want them in every post. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valete-vox-imperatoris/482419.md?page=15)