# What is wrong with frivolous/silly/stupid threads? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [December 9, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511 "2012-12-09T16:04:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511/61 "2012-12-11T00:32:47Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > When Dopers go on and on about how the SDMB is the smartest and most intellectual message board on the Internet (often when defending the board against some change they see is “juvenile” such as avatars), with rarefied, intellectual discourse akin to what they think must take place behind the closed doors of an Ivy faculty lounge, and every member claims to have a genius-level IQ … That’s getting to be a rather tired meme. Jumped the shark. Just my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511/62 "2012-12-11T02:54:27Z")
> [@colonial](#): > > Many of them have wisely been closed, making them nobody’s problem, except for the JHS-moonbeamer/libertarian types. And many have not been closed. Which makes it still your problem, not ours. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511/63 "2012-12-11T06:31:43Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > I thought it was stupid and offensive – not because it was about Obama, it would have been equally stupid and offensive about Romney, the Pope, whoever. This is not a junior high locker room. In fact a thread devoted specifically to speculating about the Pope’s masturbation habits was allowed in the past. That might have caused the OP to think a precedent had been set. [The Pope… MASTURBATION](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=39474) Out of all the threads listed below (some of which have more redeeming value than others of course) the OP’s: _How often does Mr. President Obama masturbate?_ is the only one that has ever been closed for any reason. In the context of previously allowed MPSIMS and IMHO threads on the subject (GQ was excluded from this search on the assumption that factual questions about masturbation would always be acceptable) it doesn’t seem to be out of line or in any way uncharacteristic of the usual witty repartee we enjoy here. [Poll: Have you ever used your sock to masturbate?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=615013) [Woo hoo! It’s legal to masturbate (like a motherfuck) in your own house!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=299211) [20 minutes and you’re finished with your prostitute already? Why not just masturbate?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=571910) [Poll: females: How often do you masturbate?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=541884) [Women - Would you admit in a conversation that you masturbate?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=504751) [Male Dopers: How do YOU masturbate?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=505678) [Female Dopers: How do you masturbate?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=504663) [Too young to masturbate?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=473325) [Masturbate! Masturbate! :: A.K.A : Kittens are EVIL](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=389371) [How often do you masturbate?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=377616) [Remember, kids, don’t masturbate](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=346523) ``` [TMI: Do you masturbate?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=324175) ``` [Vows not to masturbate.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=259345) [Masturbate for peace.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=173830) [I saw a drunk old man masturbate at Friday’s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=171743) [Are There Any Dopers Who DON’T Masturbate?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=164303) ``` [So I said to the barista, "Every time you masturbate, god kills a kitten."](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=156395) ``` [Female Dopers: How Do You Masturbate?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=131636) [I’m going to masturbate into a cup sometime in the next week](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=54735) [Masturbation etiquette](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=658333) [My 14 year old son asked me about masturbation - I’m so proud!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=644303) [Do Catholics still have to report masturbation in Confession?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=644416) [Video: “Right Hand Masturbation Caused Facial Distortion” - Probably NSFW](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=639220) [Medical Lit on PDD (Autism) and masturbation](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=628336) [Have you ever chose masturbation over actual sex? (possible TMI)](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=622695) ``` [Poll: Masturbation or Meditation?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=619531) ``` [Typical masturbation session: how into it are you?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=581372) [Poll: Thoughts and Masturbation](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=576056) [Poll: What Did Your Parents Teach You About Masturbation?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=538916) [Poll: Masturbation, Marriage & Gender](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=529635) [Now I’ve seen it all: Fisting, Masturbation, Anal Sex, and the Word of God](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=521612) [Interesting masturbation discovery (TMI? It’s not that graphic or anything)](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=520242) [Masturbation (and Sex) CAUSES Prostate Cancer!!!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=503700) [Masturbation - Ur Doin it wrong.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=486170) [Man breaks masturbation record. Surprise: Japan Dominates](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=470576) ``` [Is masturbation immoral](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=448595) ``` [A short survey about masturbation](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=425528) [Masturbation: Do you take the short way or scenic route to Happy-town?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=420194) ``` [National Masturbation Month](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=420022) ``` [Polling: Popular terms for masturbation](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=397020) [How good an exercise is masturbation?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=389320) [Masturbation fantasies vs. real life desires](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=381712) [What was the common attitude towards masturbation when you were a teen?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=371292) [Fighting Ignorance vs Intellectual Masturbation vs Entertainment](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=328623) [Masturbation and Siblings](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=312435) [Women, Masturbation and Porn](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=306741) [TMI:The most unusual/interesting/odd thing(s) you’ve used to help along masturbation?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=300710) [Sex and masturbation question (possible TMI)](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=266731) [Great News!! Frequent masturbation lowers prostate cancer risk.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=198152) [Ladies, would you be offended if… (masturbation thread)](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=188366) [Men, would you be offended if… (masturbation thread)](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=188405) [Masturbation: choking the chicken?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=164725) [Masturbation within marriage. Selfish?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=164664) [Masturbation](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=164095) [Website Against Masturbation](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=39922) ``` [Masturbation and Statistics](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=35069) ``` [Masturbation](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=28935) ``` [Worker's Compensation (masturbation)](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=17459) ``` ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511/64 "2012-12-11T07:15:55Z")
> [@colonial](#): > > Not only that, but this place is so full of JHS+moonbeamer/libertarian types that > it might be no thread was ever locked if it were up to a poll. And so what? If a thread is being posted to, the SDMB members clearly want to post to it. If a thread is not being posted to, then the SDMB members clearly do not want to post to it and it drops off. Why do you want the SDMB to only include threads that you **colonial** approve of? I’ve never understood that kind of mentality. ---
**Author:** ![taskmgr.exe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@taskmgr.exe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taskmgr.exe)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511/65 "2012-12-11T15:15:00Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > I thought it was stupid and offensive – not because it was about Obama, it would have been equally stupid and offensive about Romney, the Pope, whoever. \*\*This is not a junior high locker room. \*\* > > I also didn’t think it was particularly funny. The OP asked me in a PM if humor was allowed – I discerned no humor in the way the OP was written. > > And, yes, it is possible to be too mundane and too pointless for MPSIMS. I’ve closed threads on that basis before and I will undoubtedly do so again. I understand your warning, especially the on in bold. I will do my best to cooperate with you. - And… Poor taskmgr.exe watched the moderator _twickster_ stand over there, with his brethren, **UNDEFEATED**. He wanted them to want him. He wanted them to understand him. Out of a pity. (Sad music plays) He was defeated once again, but this time **MORE OVERWHELMINGLY**. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511/66 "2012-12-11T15:46:35Z")
> [@taskmgr.exe](#): > > I understand your warning, especially the on in bold. I will do my best to cooperate with you. Just so you know, you didn’t get a “warning”. That has a specific meaning here. All the mod did was close your thread. It’s no biggie, except that your thread was closed. **Crazyhorse** : Is there an easy way to do what your did, or do you have too much time on your hands? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![taskmgr.exe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@taskmgr.exe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taskmgr.exe)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511/67 "2012-12-11T16:07:23Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Just so you know, you didn’t get a “warning”. That has a specific meaning here. All the mod did was close your thread. It’s no biggie, except that your thread was closed. Well, he didn’t give me any warning in the literal sense. But his post in the locked thread can be perceived as a warning for me not to create threads like the locked one in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511/68 "2012-12-11T16:15:03Z")
> [@taskmgr.exe](#): > > Well, he didn’t give me any warning in the literal sense. But his post in the locked thread can be perceived as a warning for me not to create threads like the locked one in the future. You mean SHE didn’t give you a warning. HER post etc. ---
**Author:** ![taskmgr.exe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@taskmgr.exe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taskmgr.exe)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511/69 "2012-12-11T16:20:14Z")
Oh, I beg your pardon twickster ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511/70 "2012-12-11T16:30:45Z")
> [@taskmgr.exe](#): > > Well, he didn’t give me any warning in the literal sense. But his post in the locked thread can be perceived as a warning for me not to create threads like the locked one in the future. It was advice, not a warning. On this MB, a warning “goes on your permanent record”, so to speak. A simple mod action, like what we have hear, is not the same. Chalk up a few official warnings in a relatively short period of time, and you could be banned. Not so for simple mod actions, although too many of them could lead to an actual warning. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511/71 "2012-12-11T16:31:00Z")
**taskmgr.exe** , your thread being closed was most certainly a personal move against you. You’re new here, and have rubbed some people the wrong way, so when you start a thread like this it quickly gets killed by a mod. If a more senior, or someone more liked by the masses here, had started the exact same thread with the exact same content - it would still be going strong today. Forget it, Jake, it’s SDMB-Town. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511/72 "2012-12-11T16:51:11Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > **taskmgr.exe** , your thread being closed was most certainly a personal move against you. You’re new here, and have rubbed some people the wrong way, so when you start a thread like this it quickly gets killed by a mod. If a more senior, or someone more liked by the masses here, had started the exact same thread with the exact same content - it would still be going strong today. > > Forget it, Jake, it’s SDMB-Town. Is this your idea of helping or is it your idea of a joke? Either way, knock it off. ---
**Author:** ![taskmgr.exe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@taskmgr.exe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taskmgr.exe)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511/73 "2012-12-11T16:56:42Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > **taskmgr.exe** , your thread being closed was most certainly a personal move against you. You’re new here, and have rubbed some people the wrong way, so when you start a thread like this it quickly gets killed by a mod. If a more senior, or someone more liked by the masses here, had started the exact same thread with the exact same content - it would still be going strong today. > > Forget it, Jake, it’s SDMB-Town. This . . . is . . . life! _And . . life is suffering_ . . . isn’t it? - - - And . . . the X comes in. As he swings the door, lands a left on the taskmgr.exe’s nose. Now . . . he has a . . . bloody nose. Perhaps . . . taskmgr.exe should be grateful that he has a bloody nose . . . since he didn’t have one before . . . right? **The** Sad music commences again . . . - - \*And the X speaks “Your mother eats shit, you son of a bitch. Suffer eternally in agony!” - - - taskmgr.exe accepts the insult . . . and slams the door ( 😉 ) Sad music continues ☹ . . . Sad music :smack: . . . I don’t like sad musics. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511/74 "2012-12-11T17:00:02Z")
What? ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511/75 "2012-12-11T17:06:43Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > What? Dave’s not here, man. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511/76 "2012-12-11T17:25:40Z")
What’s on second. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511/77 "2012-12-11T17:50:49Z")
And with that, this thread has officially jumped the shark. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511/78 "2012-12-11T17:53:05Z")
Perhaps not surprisingly, this thread about a stupid thread has itself become stupid. So I’m closing it. **taskmgr.exe** , if you have more questions, ask a mod. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-frivolous-silly-stupid-threads/643511.md?page=3)