# What were you THINKING? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 13, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532 "2023-10-13T19:36:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 107
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2024, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2121 "2024-04-05T20:12:40Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > There are a few people who are still instinctively responding to certain news items with a default quip. I’ve been suckered in so many times by “Hey, someone just posted something in the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ thread! Great, I bet there’s some breaking news!” Nope. It’s just someone resurrecting a months-old thread to say something akin to “And his hair looks like a small woodland animal, am I right? Har, har!” ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2024, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2122 "2024-04-05T20:13:02Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > The instances that chap my hide are where one person posts essentially what you lead with (although not quite so dorky). And then person 2 responds “delay, delay, delay.” But it is providing the community building value of expressing “Yeah, I hear ya and feel the same way.” > [@digs](#): > > I’ve been suckered in so many times by “Hey, someone just posted something in the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ thread! Great, I bet there’s some breaking news!” > > Nope. > > It’s just someone resurrecting a months-old thread to say something akin to “And his hair looks like a small woodland animal, am I right? Har, har!” OK that gripe I can get behind. I was thinking of it as part of a free flowing conversation. But if you are reviving a dormant thread then you better have new content. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2024, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2123 "2024-04-05T20:25:38Z")
There is an artist named Lainey Molnar who has drawn similar comics… > [ > > > > > > > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ](https://www.instagram.com/p/CUSqxO_Mok3/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by LAINEY (@lainey.molnar)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CUSqxO_Mok3/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) This does not fit the description but I feel it is similar to one she’s done. Maybe you’ll recognize the style? ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2024, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2124 "2024-04-05T20:37:32Z")
Stupid phone and stupid images… ![women-01](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/3X/d/d/dda54d0f724cf1b421639a5f55bf14feb9d7e8b7.jpeg) ![laniey-molnar-relatable-comics-15](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/3X/c/b/cb3be10ac1dfbf8ba96c4f4a2832dc8ee0c24628.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2024, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2125 "2024-04-05T21:04:25Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > But it is providing the community building value of expressing “Yeah, I hear ya and feel the same way.” Fair point. Maybe I’m cranky. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2024, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2126 "2024-04-05T21:30:40Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > It’s the Pit; there’s going to be swearing and there’s going to be complaints. And swearing about complaints. But don’t complain about swearing. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2024, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2127 "2024-04-05T21:32:42Z")
Why not? I’ve re-read the pit rules. I’ve read an awful lot of threads. I’ve read this thread. I’ve read pit threads for particular persons. This seems the perfect place to complain. If you’re arguing that complaining, itself, is the problem. Then there’s a bunch of folks who need to be quiet. Seems to me that’s all there is in the pit. Complaints. Lots of name calling, cursing and Complaints. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2024, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2128 "2024-04-05T21:52:48Z")
My last line was sarcasm. I was pointing out the … irony, or whatever it is. Swearing all the time makes it totally ineffective. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2024, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2129 "2024-04-05T21:54:10Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > But it is providing the community building value of expressing “Yeah, I hear ya and feel the same way.” Offset by the community-crushing sentiment, “Jesus Christ, enough already!” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2024, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2130 "2024-04-05T21:56:20Z")
^^^ 😄^^^ ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2024, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2131 "2024-04-05T21:57:19Z")
Oh. You didn’t put that little symbol. Sorry. I over-reacted. ---
**Author:** ![Jihi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jihi/32/17768_2.png) [@Jihi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jihi)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2024, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2132 "2024-04-05T22:15:53Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I over-reacted. It happens. Not everyone recognizes when they’ve made a mistake. About the “contentless posts” that are just jokes or memes etc. I agree with that to a certain extent, as I came to the conclusion a week or two ago that I was getting a little carried away with the jokey empty posts. I’ve made an attempt to stop doing that as much, as I do understand it can become annoying after a while. At the same time I also agree with @Buck_Godot that is part of the culture of the board. And it’s part of the community building process. So I guess in moderation it makes a certain kind of sense? ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2024, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2133 "2024-04-05T22:53:09Z")
I like clever, quick posts. We have some on the board who are _really_ funny. I have literally lol’d at times, and sometimes I can’t resist posting, “Okay, that was funny.” As long as it’s forum-appropriate and doesn’t disrupt the flow, keep ‘em coming. But the repetitive stuff—yeah, I don’t need any more “agile” jokes in the Musk thread. The Trump insulting nicknames get a little tired, too. I get it, you’re not a fan. But, I’ll close with this: They’re all nits, not major annoyances. As if anyone cares what annoys me. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2024, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2134 "2024-04-05T22:55:00Z")
Agile board analysis! ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2024, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2135 "2024-04-05T22:55:28Z")
I’ll excuse that one. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2024, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2136 "2024-04-05T23:54:35Z")
> [@Jihi](#): > > At the same time I also agree with @Buck_Godot that is part of the culture of the board. And it’s part of the community building process. This, very much so. I am, without false modesty or false pride, neither erudite nor well-read enough to really contribute much to the board; if I do have an idea or opinion, I usually find that someone else has expressed it before and more elegantly. Thus my custom title. Nevertheless, the SDMB is a community, and I want to feel part of it, to take part in the discourse, pun intended. So I will chime in with the occasional quip or light comment. I do at least try to make them, y’know, funny. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2024, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2137 "2024-04-06T00:04:59Z")
I love love love the funny quip. Makes my day like you wouldn’t believe. My own are often clumsy and silly. Being modded for a couple I’m not really at-ease about doing it. (No need, I understand I was in the wrong forum a couple times) It’s sad. It’s part of the board to poke fun. Make light of a thing. Tease and conjole in a good spirit. Meanspirited ugliness, picking on people and bullying, on the other hand is out of control. IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Jihi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jihi/32/17768_2.png) [@Jihi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jihi)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2024, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2138 "2024-04-06T00:05:29Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > This, very much so. I am, without false modesty or false pride, neither erudite nor well-read enough to really contribute much to the board; if I do have an idea or opinion, I usually find that someone else has expressed it before and more elegantly. Thus my custom title. 100% this has been my experience as well. I first found the board in my late teens when I found myself getting more interested in politics and world events. (I am 42 as of right now for context) found this board early on and I would just sit here and read because this board explained and made understandable ideas and concepts that at the time seemed impossibly complex to me. As I would read I would find myself wanting to make comments but then, like yourself, I would find somebody else that already done so. Then I think to myself am I really contributing anything at this point? But then I came to the conclusion that, for me at least, part of the point of the board is to reach consensus on controversial or complex matters. Chiming in with an “I agree” here and there is a real contribution. And obviously don’t just type I agree and post it. Give your own take on a subject even if it is similar to someone else’s. When I post something that I’m concerned May generate a negative comment it means something when somebody comes in just to say I agree with you. I also realized at one point that it’s okay to make mistakes. Apology isn’t a curse word. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2024, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2139 "2024-04-06T00:25:52Z")
“People complain if I post a funny quip!” is a strawman. That is not what my complaint was about. By hiding behind bullshit like “It’s sad that we can’t poke fun at anything,” you get to ignore the actual problem: tired, repetitive comments that are _not_ funny, and excessive jokes in inappropriate forums. Everyone can post all the funny quips they want in the right place and I’ll laugh right along with you all. I love that part of board culture. **Beck** , we get it that you like jokes and are very sad when anyone suggests they don’t want them everywhere. You’ve posted in multiple threads now about it. No one is trying to stop you from your general musings and observations (in the right place). Keep right on being your bad bad bad self. And you’d probably get a better discussion with a lot less pushback if you started a new thread about jokes and bullying instead of bringing into other threads repeatedly. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2024, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/2140 "2024-04-06T00:30:45Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Maybe I’m cranky. Well, you know, fish, Friday – I’d be cranky too. Was that joke too stupid even for the Pit? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532.md?page=106) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532.md?page=108)