# What has become of SDMB, especially GD’s? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 19, 2005, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304 "2005-12-19T16:04:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2005, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/161 "2005-12-22T05:29:29Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Oh, fuck! > > _runs into bedroom_ > > Whooh, no, my cache of modness is still there, under the mattress. Umm… not funny? Y’see, if you were a real mod and I was the despised “asshole” you’d have others believe me to be, there’d be no need to respond to me at all. But you do. Because you must. That is what I mean by “Dissing down.” BTW, the reason I am putting you in your place and the reason why I participated in this thread in the first place, is to oppose a certain genus of tooldom and a particular species of bullying that has thrived too long on these boards. But their time is coming to an end. The biggest factor in their demise is the afore-mentioned end to summary bannings, the most blatant and ill-willed troublemakers and socks excepted. That just takes all the wind out of banning-fanning and the piquancy out of suicide-by-mod. The entire dynamic of the board has changed–much, much for the better. People can’t campaign for a banning; gangups have much less of a point. Iconoclasts like **drmark2000** and myself are freer to be ourselves. Tools like **“Frank”** get called out on their tooldom. We’re not going to take your shit any more. It’s a freer, better board. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2005, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/162 "2005-12-22T10:35:19Z")
Really, this is one of the funniest threads I’ve ever read. The double act of **drmark2000** and **Aeschines** is absolutely priceless. [Pooterism](http://www.authorama.com/diary-of-a-nobody-1.html) at its finest! You really should join the doc in his circus act, **Aeschines**. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2005, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/163 "2005-12-22T13:23:00Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > Really, this is one of the funniest threads I’ve ever read. **drmark’s** balloon animal expertise is my favorite part. It belongs in a sitcom. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2005, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/164 "2005-12-22T13:43:08Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > **drmark’s** balloon animal expertise is my favorite part. It belongs in a sitcom. > > Daniel I actually wrote, directed and created a sitcom in my garage when I was 15. I wrote an episode completely in iambic pentameter and got an Emmy while getting my PhD, MBA, JD, LLM, and DDS. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2005, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/165 "2005-12-22T13:53:17Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > I actually wrote, directed and created a sitcom in my garage when I was 15. I wrote an episode completely in iambic pentameter and got an Emmy while getting my PhD, MBA, JD, LLM, and DDS. The sitcom’s format benefits a lot from tranformation into blank verse form But casting one with animals you’ve made From toy balloons–now THAT would break the norm! Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2005, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/166 "2005-12-22T14:20:13Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > I actually wrote, directed and created a sitcom in my garage when I was 15. I wrote an episode completely in iambic pentameter and got an Emmy while getting my PhD, MBA, JD, LLM, and DDS. But do you remember it well? ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2005, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/167 "2005-12-22T14:23:43Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > I actually wrote, directed and created a sitcom in my garage when I was 15. I wrote an episode completely in iambic pentameter and got an Emmy while getting my PhD, MBA, JD, LLM, and DDS. And I forgot to ask, was it most thrillingly impressive? ---
**Author:** ![drmark2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@drmark2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drmark2000)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2005, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/168 "2005-12-22T14:49:23Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > …the reason why I participated in this thread in the first place, is to oppose a certain genus of tooldom and a particular species of bullying that has thrived too long on these boards. > > But their time is coming to an end. The biggest factor in their demise is the afore-mentioned end to summary bannings, the most blatant and ill-willed troublemakers and socks excepted. That just takes all the wind out of banning-fanning and the piquancy out of suicide-by-mod. > > The entire dynamic of the board has changed–much, much for the better. > > People can’t campaign for a banning; gangups have much less of a point. Iconoclasts like **drmark2000** and myself are freer to be ourselves. Tools like **“Frank”** get called out on their tooldom. > > We’re not going to take your shit any more. It’s a freer, better board. Indeed, it is, and I’m astounded. Posters like you and I constitute such a tiny minority, I can’t believe that we’ve actually been able to affect some positive change. But we have. There’s no question of it. Everything you mention above has come to pass, some I expected, and some pleasant surprises. It just goes to show you, a couple of well-trained soldiers can overcome an entire army of bumblers. I’ve also noticed that vocabulary, spelling, grammatical structure, and punctuation in the posts have all improved dramatically, overall. I’m not perfect in these regards, but I do try. I think this has made other posters more self-conscious of how the mere presentation of their idiocy makes them appear all the more idiotic. I’m a former lit major, so I appreciate these things. And, I’ve picked up a few new words in the bargain! “Contumely” and “casuistry” from yourself, **Aeschines** , and “inapposite” from, of all sources, **Miller**. This is very gratifying. A few new bullets in my bandolier. Can’t be bad. But remember, the defense of liberty requires eternal vigilance! This would be no time to let up! Not that I think you would, but I’m just making sure to sound the rallying cry, yet again, here and now. Ensign Chekhov proclaims “Got him!” as the photon torpedo finds its mark, and the enemy within adopt looks of great consternation. Kirk and Spock (that would be you and I, in no particular order), can look at each other, nod our heads, and be certain in the knowledge that our teamwork, a brilliant combination of logic and intuition (on both our parts), have triumphed. For now. But there’s always the next episode, and a new series of seemingly insurmountable challenges to conquer. We’ve done it! We can do it! Let’s keep at it! ---
**Author:** ![drmark2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@drmark2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drmark2000)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2005, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/169 "2005-12-22T15:04:48Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > I actually wrote, directed and created a sitcom in my garage when I was 15. I wrote an episode completely in iambic pentameter and got an Emmy while getting my PhD, MBA, JD, LLM, and DDS. Wow! That’s amazing, man! So did I! Were we, like, separated at birth? I eventually dropped my practice in dentistry, though. I didn’t enjoy causing people pain (even though that was never my intention), my back was giving out from all the leaning over, and I was doing so well in all of my other ventures that something had to go. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2005, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/170 "2005-12-22T15:21:20Z")
> [@drmark2000](#): > > Indeed, it is, and I’m astounded. Posters like you and I constitute such a tiny minority, I can’t believe that we’ve actually been able to affect some positive change. But we have. There’s no question of it. Everything you mention above has come to pass, some I expected, and some pleasant surprises. It just goes to show you, a couple of well-trained soldiers can overcome an entire army of bumblers. > > I’ve also noticed that vocabulary, spelling, grammatical structure, and punctuation in the posts have all improved dramatically, overall. I’m not perfect in these regards, but I do try. I think this has made other posters more self-conscious of how the mere presentation of their idiocy makes them appear all the more idiotic. I’m a former lit major, so I appreciate these things. > > And, I’ve picked up a few new words in the bargain! “Contumely” and “casuistry” from yourself, **Aeschines** , and “inapposite” from, of all sources, **Miller**. This is very gratifying. A few new bullets in my bandolier. Can’t be bad. > > But remember, the defense of liberty requires eternal vigilance! This would be no time to let up! Not that I think you would, but I’m just making sure to sound the rallying cry, yet again, here and now. > > Ensign Chekhov proclaims “Got him!” as the photon torpedo finds its mark, and the enemy within adopt looks of great consternation. Kirk and Spock (that would be you and I, in no particular order), can look at each other, nod our heads, and be certain in the knowledge that our teamwork, a brilliant combination of logic and intuition (on both our parts), have triumphed. For now. But there’s always the next episode, and a new series of seemingly insurmountable challenges to conquer. > > We’ve done it! We can do it! Let’s keep at it! Now is the time for the teeming idiots and bumblers to voice our gratitude to the brilliant heros who have overcome us. Hail, **Aeschines** and **drmark2000**!! Please tell me you’re kidding. Please? ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2005, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/171 "2005-12-22T15:46:03Z")
> [@Crotalus](#): > > Please tell me you’re kidding. Please? No, I think they even have spandex uniforms and big, billowing capes. Look, over in the center ring! It’s the Bearded Lady, the One-Armed Trapeze Artist, the Half-Man/Half-Mermaid–no, it’s **Balloon Clown** and **Mod Cache**! ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2005, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/172 "2005-12-22T15:52:50Z")
> [@SkipMagic](#): > > No, I think they even have spandex uniforms and big, billowing capes. > > Look, over in the center ring! It’s the Bearded Lady, the One-Armed Trapeze Artist, the Half-Man/Half-Mermaid–no, it’s **Balloon Clown** and **Mod Cache**! I think you’re right. It helps to picture them both in tights and capes, and I’ve been hearing a Dudley Doright sort of super-hero’s voice when I read \*\*Balloon Clown’s \*\* posts. ---
**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:** [December 22, 2005, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/173 "2005-12-22T15:58:01Z")
> [@SkipMagic](#): > > No, I think they even have spandex uniforms and big, billowing capes. > > Look, over in the center ring! It’s the Bearded Lady, the One-Armed Trapeze Artist, the Half-Man/Half-Mermaid–no, it’s **Balloon Clown** and **Mod Cache**! You mean just like the Ambiguously Gay Duo? They should do away with the capes, one great lesson to be learned from the “Incredibles”. ---
**Author:** ![drmark2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@drmark2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drmark2000)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2005, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/174 "2005-12-22T16:11:23Z")
> [@SkipMagic](#): > > No, I think they even have spandex uniforms and big, billowing capes. > > Look, over in the center ring! It’s the Bearded Lady, the One-Armed Trapeze Artist, the Half-Man/Half-Mermaid–no, it’s **Balloon Clown** and **Mod Cache**! You, and others, are fingering the copious boogers in your nostrils and flinging them around, now. It’s all the ammo you have left. ---
**Author:** ![drmark2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@drmark2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drmark2000)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2005, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/175 "2005-12-22T16:13:26Z")
> [@Crotalus](#): > > I think you’re right. It helps to picture them both in tights and capes, and I’ve been hearing a Dudley Doright sort of super-hero’s voice when I read \*\*Balloon Clown’s \*\* posts. You, and others, are fingering the copious boogers in your nostrils and flinging them around, now. It’s all the ammo you have left. ---
**Author:** ![drmark2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@drmark2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drmark2000)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2005, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/176 "2005-12-22T16:15:28Z")
> [@jrfranchi](#): > > You mean just like the Ambiguously Gay Duo? > > They should do away with the capes, one great lesson to be learned from the “Incredibles”. You, and others, are fingering the copious boogers in your nostrils and flinging them around, now. It’s all the ammo you have left. ---
**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:** [December 22, 2005, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/177 "2005-12-22T16:18:45Z")
> [@drmark2000](#): > > You, and others, are fingering the copious boogers in your nostrils and flinging them around, now. It’s all the ammo you have left. You seem to be repeating yourself. Are you feeling okay? No boogers from be. Just a few cafe style slightly humorous observations. Possibly very slightly. You do sound rather full of yourself however. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2005, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/178 "2005-12-22T16:21:31Z")
Am I supposed to laugh this much at a Pit thread? ---
**Author:** ![drmark2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@drmark2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drmark2000)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2005, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/179 "2005-12-22T16:23:58Z")
> [@Crotalus](#): > > I think you’re right. It helps to picture them both in tights and capes, and I’ve been hearing a Dudley Doright sort of super-hero’s voice when I read \*\*Balloon Clown’s \*\* posts. You, and others, are fingering the copious boogers in your nostrils and flinging them around, now. It’s all the ammo you have left. So there, **Frenchy** ---
**Author:** ![drmark2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@drmark2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drmark2000)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2005, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304/180 "2005-12-22T16:26:07Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Am I supposed to laugh this much at a Pit thread? I don’t know. Are you? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-become-of-sdmb-especially-gd-s/336304.md?page=10)