# What is Diogenes the Cynic's Condition Called **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 17, 2011, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709 "2011-02-17T16:19:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/181 "2011-02-19T16:20:50Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Was this about the time he had his big “I’m leaving the board and you’re all poopy-heads” cryfest? I’ve never done anything close to that. I’ve never threatened to leave the board. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/182 "2011-02-19T16:45:02Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I’ve never done anything close to that. I’ve never threatened to leave the board. I didn’t say you threatened. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/183 "2011-02-19T16:47:39Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > I didn’t say you threatened. I’ve never indicated or suggested that I would leave in any way. I’ve never had any kind of “I’m leaving” drama on this board ever. You really are confusing me with someone else. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/184 "2011-02-19T17:07:34Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > **Dio** , you were relatively normal three years ago. What happened? > [@RaftPeople](#): > > Is that true? > > If **Dio** is not trolling, if he really does have mental problems, I would feel bad about messing with him. Go back a couple of years and there’s almost a completely different style. Sure, he would still get pitted but not nearly as frequent. I pitted him once because I was trying to discuss Morgan Spurlock with him but he kept steering toward _Supersize Me_. > [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Was this about the time he had his big “I’m leaving the board and you’re all poopy-heads” cryfest? It’s about the time he started in with “my post is my cite”. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/185 "2011-02-19T17:18:25Z")
BTW: I think you have **Dio** confused with **Liberal**. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/186 "2011-02-19T17:40:15Z")
Or **pseudotriton ruber ruber** , who after a spat with Lib did indeed clear off for a while – supposedly for good, but [he got better](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/IGotBetter). ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/187 "2011-02-19T17:54:32Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > Or **pseudotriton ruber ruber** , who after a spat with Lib did indeed clear off for a while – supposedly for good, but [he got better](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/IGotBetter). I thought someone paid him to not post for a year. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/188 "2011-02-19T18:31:59Z")
My take on this thread: Dio is in the left hand lane of a 2-lane highway, doing the speed limit (sound familar?). Plenty of vehicles in the right lane, also doing the speed limit. 100 cars are behind Dio, all wanting to pass. They are honking, flashing their lights, exchanging baffled looks. “He’s doing it again!!!” Eventually, Dio reaches his exit. He exits. Everyone flips him off. Life goes on. Dio is, at worst, passive-aggressive. But the 100 drivers are fools. mmm ---
**Author:** ![recessiveMeme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@recessiveMeme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recessiveMeme)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/189 "2011-02-19T18:40:33Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > This is a Bad Idea. The man literally taught me more about Christianity in my short time on this board than I learned after a childhood of churchgoing and a lifetime of Bible reading. Put him on ignore, and you will miss something good. This. I’ve been lurking here for nearly a decade and I’ll say that Dio’s posts on theology alone make his presence on this board more valuable than the pointless wankery of the many posters he has ruffled over the years. Does he sometimes go too far? Probably. Is he a troll? I don’t think so. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/190 "2011-02-19T19:08:45Z")
I don’t think Dio usually has a logically incoherent position, and when you peel back layers of hostility and defensiveness there is usually not a radical or unusual position. In this case it might have been more effective to simply say that many people who think they need to speed or entitled to speed are kidding themselves, but hindsight is 20/20. It’s not like I never served up a grain of truth with a pint of vitriol myself, and my experience has been that people are equally unpersuadable that they are all perfect drivers and know best regardless of the data or the number of tickets they’ve accrued. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/191 "2011-02-19T19:21:21Z")
> [@recessiveMeme](#): > > Is he a troll? I don’t think so. Not disputing any theological contributions, I’m not really aware, haven’t really interacted or read too many of **Dio’s** posts prior to this. I’m curious what your take on this type of logic from **Dio** is: Paraphrased: I’ve never seen someone pulled over for impeding traffic in the left lane while while going the speed limit therefore it has never happened. First, the obvious flaws in the logic: 1. Of the cars **Dio** has seen get pulled over from the left lane, he has no knowledge as to the reason or the outcome. 2. **Dio** also has no knowledge of the reasons for all of the other cars pulled over that he has never seen which is a significant number If he is not trolling, do you think **Dio** doesn’t realize point 1 or point 2? ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/192 "2011-02-19T19:23:23Z")
> [@recessiveMeme](#): > > Does he sometimes go too far? Probably. Is he a troll? I don’t think so. If **Diogenes the Cynic** is not actually a troll, he approximates one so precisely that for all practical purposes he is indistinguishable from an actual troll, and his pseudo-trolling behavior produces the same results as intentional trolling, i.e. derailing what are often otherwise fruitful and intelligent discussions. About the merits of his theological contributions I cannot write with any particular knowledge, but it has been well established that valuable contributions do not offset or excuse rude, jerkish, or inappropriate behavior. Many posters who have regularly provided factual answers and valuable insight have been officially warned, suspended, or banned for responses outside of the established guidelines for etiquette and courtesy. Tthe argument that there is not particular post by **Diogenes the Cynic** that individually exceeds explicit rules about personal insults is not an constructive argument; the [THREAD= 384745]FAQ - Guidelines and Etiquette on the SDMB[/THREAD] clearly state that “Violations of good manners and common courtesy constitute jerkhood, and are a bannable offense,” and “…our most basic rule: Don’t be a jerk.” Given the significant number of posters who very pointedly find **Diogenes the Cynic** disruptive, discourteous, and invidious, it would seem obvious that he has exceeded that threshold by a readily apparent margin, albeit clearly not enough to arouse a determined response by the management. Speaking for myself, I know that I have frequently avoided threads in which I might have otherwise posted because **Diogenes the Cynic** had already posted needlessly polarizing, oppositional, and typically pointless and ill-informed opinions or statements that were for no other reason than to attract attention and initiate the phenomenon and response under discussion. I am aware of several other posters who have explicitly stated the same thing, or stated that they terminate their participation when **Diogenes the Cynic** initiates the type of behavior described above. Of course, it takes more than one to dance, and by acknowledging his statements in any way, shape, or form provides **Diogenes the Cynic** the platform to display his moves others are implicitly culpable for the resulting “train wreck.” But the fact that it is nucleated by **Diogenes the Cynic** , to the point that it has coined an instantly-recognizable catch phrase, would seem to clearly indicate that it is his behavior that is the root cause of the issue, and without his presence as a disruptive core contributor. I don’t know if **Diogenes the Cynic** is a troll; he may be an elf, a hobbit, a sprite, or a newt for all I know. But if he is something other than a troll, then he is a particularly troll-like example of his particular species or creed, and should thus be treated in the fashion appropriate to his behavior, not his stated intentions. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/193 "2011-02-19T19:44:25Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Speaking for myself, I know that I have frequently avoided threads in which I might have otherwise posted because **Diogenes the Cynic** had already posted needlessly polarizing, oppositional, and typically pointless and ill-informed opinions or statements that were for no other reason than to attract attention and initiate the phenomenon and response under discussion. He has never done this. ---
**Author:** ![recessiveMeme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@recessiveMeme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recessiveMeme)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/194 "2011-02-19T20:45:32Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > I’m curious what your take on this type of logic from **Dio** is: > Paraphrased: I’ve never seen someone pulled over for impeding traffic in the left lane while while going the speed limit therefore it has never happened. Honestly I rarely bother with IMHO and have not read that thread. That said assuming your paraphrasing is accurate, the statement that, “X has never happened because I’ve never witnessed it”, is fallacious for several reasons. If he actually said that, I’d be rather surprised. Suppose I have to read the thread now… Anyway, I’ll elaborate on my feelings regarding “trolling” in a moment. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/195 "2011-02-19T20:58:14Z")
> [@recessiveMeme](#): > > This. I’ve been lurking here for nearly a decade and I’ll say that Dio’s posts on theology alone make his presence on this board more valuable than the pointless wankery of the many posters he has ruffled over the years. I used to think that, but having seen him so often take positions that I know are factually incorrect, and having seen him refuse to even consider evidence that counters his position, I don’t know that his statements about theology are reliable. ---
**Author:** ![recessiveMeme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@recessiveMeme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recessiveMeme)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/196 "2011-02-19T20:59:21Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > If **Diogenes the Cynic** is not actually a troll, he approximates one so precisely that for all practical purposes he is indistinguishable from an actual troll, and his pseudo-trolling behavior produces the same results as intentional trolling, i.e. derailing what are often otherwise fruitful and intelligent discussions. FWIW, I have a mental list of posters like you, **Diogenes** , **Darwin’s Finch** , and others that have always caused me to read a little closer whenever you pop up. Thanks for being remarkable in some way. The deliberately (and infuriatingly) vague “jerk” rule maintained by the SDMB aside, I personally disagree with what seems to be the preferred definition of “troll” here. It lacks nuance. Language is a slippery thing and I don’t think the word “troll” adequately covers the spectrum of those who willfully annoy. On the one end, you have simple, uninteresting people who drive-by in comment threads to offer a single annoying word or half-formed thought. These are the people who hang around on YouTube posting “FAG!” on videos. These people are neither capable of nor willing to offer a considerate, meaningful, informed, or earnest thought about anything. They have no attachment to the site or anything found there. They aren’t that person on the street, just here in the comment thread. Their only goal is to call someone a fag on the internet and all they deserve is banning for their efforts. On the other end, you have highly intelligent, difficult people with a sense of humor that is ascerbic or simply too dry by half. These people cleave to a community, develop social attachments, and say a lot of genuinely interesting or funny things. They also sometimes deliberately fuck with people. Who knows why? Perhaps it is frustration, boredom, or mental illness? Maybe they just think it is funny? They are who they seem to be and who they are can be a total PITA. There have been times when, confronted with a particularly intransigent flake on the internet and debating them in earnest for an hour or two, I’ve resorted to wild flights of fancy to mock them through strange metaphors. In short, I stopped participating in the conversation in earnest and, rather than walking away, started fucking them about(1). Am I a troll? **The point:** At his best, **Dio** says some terribly intelligent and/or funny things. At his worst, I think of him as a curmudgeonly grandfather type who is having fun getting the kids riled up and derive amusement from what so many term “The **Dio** Show(2).” I’m glad he’s around, I think the forum is better for him, and I think people on this board get _way_ too hurt about silly little things. Oh, the drama on these boards. I’m sorry you assiduously avoid all threads where **Dio** says anything- I really am- as odds are I’d enjoy seeing what you had to say. However absence is not terribly notable and, perhaps lacking imagination, I’ll take the **Dio** posts I have over the ethereal other posts I might have had without him. (1) Not on this board or not recently. I made a point to stop posting here a few years ago when I realized how time consuming it had become. Here I am doing it again on an impossibly beautiful CO Saturday afternoon… Back to the shadows with me. (2) I find this term stupid and prejudicial. While he has certainly earned some scorn, I think this cult of **Dio** -bashing is largely related to a coalition of posters from the more frivolous corners of the site who just can’t get over the fact that Dio doesn’t care about their feelings. ---
**Author:** ![recessiveMeme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@recessiveMeme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recessiveMeme)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/197 "2011-02-19T21:02:01Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I used to think that, but having seen him so often take positions that I know are factually incorrect, and having seen him refuse to even consider evidence that counters his position, I don’t know that his statements about theology are reliable. Maybe I’ve not paid attention enough to notice **Dio** ’s alleged descent into madness. My lurking has been haphazard of late. As you once agreed with my current stance and do so no longer, I’ll make an effort to bring more skepticism with me as I wander through the forum. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/198 "2011-02-19T21:12:37Z")
> [@recessiveMeme](#): > > Honestly I rarely bother with IMHO and have not read that thread. That said assuming your paraphrasing is accurate, the statement that, “X has never happened because I’ve never witnessed it”, is fallacious for several reasons. If he actually said that, I’d be rather surprised. Suppose I have to read the thread now… > > Anyway, I’ll elaborate on my feelings regarding “trolling” in a moment. RP: "The police wouldn’t ticket people for this exact infraction (blocking left lane even though going over the posted limit) if you were correct would they? " DC: "I’ve been driving for almost 30 years, and I’ve never seen anyone ticketed for going the speed limit in the left lane. " RP: “We’re trying to verify your logic module, please answer yes or no to this question, thank you.” DC: "I already answered the question. they never do it, no. " ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/199 "2011-02-19T21:20:14Z")
I don’t see the argument you’re ascribing to him. I see two different statements but not the logcal connector. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709/200 "2011-02-19T21:24:10Z")
I am extremely skeptical that anyone is ever ticketed for going the speed limit in any lane. If they are, it would be interesting to see a hearing where the crime is obeying the signs. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diogenes-the-cynics-condition-called/571709.md?page=11)