# 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:** 307
**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 13, 2026, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6510 "2026-02-13T23:42:19Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Yeah, I was a dumbass there. Mistakes were made. It was a bad day all around for me. Here is to hoping the weekend turns things around. With an attitude like this, this thread’s never going to get back on track. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6511 "2026-02-13T23:50:22Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > With an attitude like this, this thread’s never going to get back on track. Hey, I like it when the thread works as intended, but I acknowledge there’s a lot more “fun” in poking recalcitrant posters. I’ll take the win amidst the losses! ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6512 "2026-02-13T23:53:04Z")
It’s not like this is an isolated incident. Ill be serving up more dumbassery soon enough. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6513 "2026-02-14T00:26:16Z")
That’s the spirit! ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6514 "2026-02-14T00:46:22Z")
I can’t believe what that stupid poster said in that thread! What a dip. 😉 ---
**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:** [February 14, 2026, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6515 "2026-02-14T05:09:05Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Thanks! Already feeling better. 🙂 Good to hear! You’re generally a good poster, but we all make missteps once in awhile. Kudos to you for owning up to it. That’s not always easy to do, and it shows class and maturity. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6516 "2026-02-14T06:07:16Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > It’s not like this is an isolated incident. Ill be serving up more dumbassery soon enough. Story of my life. Can I sit beside you in the dumbassry corner? ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6517 "2026-02-14T06:09:55Z")
I might end up being an intentional idiot just to get more of this kindness. > [@CairoCarol](#): > > Can I sit beside you in the dumbassry corner? Of course! Plenty of room over here. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6518 "2026-02-14T06:19:27Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > Can I sit beside you in the dumbassry corner? Is that anything like the [Group W bench](https://genius.com/Arlo-guthrie-alices-restaurant-massacree-lyrics)? Because they had a groovy time there. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6519 "2026-02-14T06:31:09Z")
Hell yeah. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6520 "2026-02-18T21:51:39Z")
msmith537 seems to really like believing that people are mentally ill because their interests don’t match his. Here are two recent instances, but I bet there are many more. > [@An AI lover? Is this real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ai-lover-is-this-real/1027663/101): > > “Not okay” from a mental health and society perspective IMHO. I think maybe they should question why they seem unable to form relationships with actual human beings. Therapy might help. These people are already effectively “shunned”. I like to be alone to pursue my interests and hobbies as much as the next person. But ultimately, I think people need to be with and interact with other people, for good or ill, where there are actual social consequences for acting like a stupid jerk. I just … > [@Is it THAT unusual to not collect anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-that-unusual-to-not-collect-anything/1027792/13): > > IMHO. collecting things is a symptom of a disturbed mind. Filling one’s space with dolls, comic books, ceramic clowns, toys (Lego, Star Wars, Barbie, etc), rare wines or whatever other things people collect beyond any reasonable utility or aesthetic purpose strike me as trying to fill some emotional void or emotional imbalance. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6521 "2026-02-18T22:07:49Z")
I think it’s quite likely that having an AI lover is not a sign of mental stability. I don’t agree or disagree about collecting. It all depends on the extent. Unless it’s clowns, of course. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6522 "2026-02-18T22:25:19Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > msmith537 seems to really like believing that people are mentally ill because their interests don’t match his. Here are two recent instances, but I bet there are many more. Did I ever said I wasn’t interested in cultivating a massive collection of sex robots? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6523 "2026-02-18T23:16:31Z")
I will defend **msmith537** as to his collecting comments. Or at least as to his motivations even if his presentation came on a bit strong and uncharitable. AIUI his wife’s family are borderline horders and she’s headed that way. Meanwhile his kids are young-version “collectors”. That’ll persuade anyone that gathering pointless shit “just because” is flirting w disaster. As to the AI lovers & sexbots, I’ll stand pat. For now. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6524 "2026-02-19T06:12:55Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I will defend **msmith537** as to his collecting comments. Or at least as to his motivations even if his presentation came on a bit strong and uncharitable. The comments were fucking rude and mean, IMO. YMMV. I was unaware of any personal context on their part (and, of course, they did not include any of that in their post), so it came across as a bolt-out-of-the-blue slam, to my eyes. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6525 "2026-02-19T06:47:55Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > The comments were fucking rude and mean, IMO. I concur. The AI lovers thing seems weird at first glance, but in most cases it simply fulfills a need for companionship that isn’t otherwise available. Those who engage in such relationships aren’t crazy, they’re probably just lonely. And collecting things is in general the most harmless hobby imaginable. **mssmith537** comes across as someone lacking a soul, or at least, lacking empathy. ---
**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:** [February 19, 2026, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6526 "2026-02-19T06:56:36Z")
I believe a person who is passionate about a certain thing to the point of collecting and preserving many examples makes a more interesting person, on the whole. Now if you have 59 vintage sears catalogues, you might be a bit odd. But I’d like to see them. The AI stuff, I just feel pity for someone who believes it’s real. I totally understand needing a social outlet. I have such a need. I don’t think it rises to real mental illness without other symptoms. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6527 "2026-02-19T13:09:19Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I don’t think it rises to real mental illness without other symptoms. I don’t think anything rises to real mental illness unless it interested with your life. People have quirks and irrational impulses. They can overwhelm us, and become illnesses. But if you just like to wash your hands a lot of out everything away, you don’t have obsessive compulsive disorder, you just have some tendencies in that direction. If you collect stuff, you don’t have a hoarding disorder. If you chat with chatgpt, you aren’t mentally ill unless it prevents you from engaging with real humans when they are available. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6528 "2026-02-19T18:09:54Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I don’t think anything rises to real mental illness unless it interested with your life. People have quirks and irrational impulses. They can overwhelm us, and become illnesses. But if you just like to wash your hands a lot of out everything away, you don’t have obsessive compulsive disorder, you just have some tendencies in that direction. Yes, this. As my sister once said, “if you are driving to work, get a block away from home, then worry if you turned the iron off, causing you to drive home and check, that’s not OCD, that’s just being careful. If you get a block away from home _again_ and feel the need to go back and check a _second time_, and maybe a third time, _ **that’s** _ OCD”. My dad used to have a ritual where he’d check every door and window in the house to make sure they were all locked before he could go to sleep for the night. One time is just being careful. He had to do it 3 times every night before he could relax. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6529 "2026-02-19T18:22:05Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I don’t think anything rises to real mental illness unless it interested with your life. Indeed, many diagnoses include the criterion that it must do so. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532.md?page=306) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532.md?page=308)