# Why do some people have cool descriptions under their name? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 11, 2002, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453 "2002-03-11T03:09:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/41 "2003-02-25T06:45:59Z")
Holy smokes, sometimes a search turns up the weirdest things…this isn’t just a stale-thread resurrection, folks, this is a “zombie thread”. Run! Run for your lives! ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/42 "2003-02-25T19:17:30Z")
“The Night of the Living Un-Thread” … coming this Hallowe’en to a message board near you! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/43 "2003-02-26T13:19:31Z")
In light of the fact that it takes more than $25k per year (:eek) to run this board, perhaps making us pay for custom titles _would_ be something worth considering. Mind you, these things get suggested all the time and I am aware of the myriad reasons **Ed** , **Tuba** _et al_ have for not wanting to go down that route. But no harm occasionally reminding them of some of the better ideas… pan ninja statistician ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/44 "2003-02-26T17:20:41Z")
It’s not a massive effort for an Admin. to change a name or title – it merely means loading the “back end” of the board (a separate entity), summoning up the user profile, and making the desired changes – total time elapsed less than two minutes. However, the Admins. do do all this stuff as **volunteers** , they probably spend as much time discussing how to handle one given problem poster as most of us do reading MPSIMS or the Pit on any random day, and it’s asking extra effort for the pleasure of an individual. So one can hardly blame them for not wanting to take the time to do the tweaks individually – and we’ve already covered why it can’t be an option for each member (a few bad apples will spoil it for everyone). That said, there’s something to be said for the idea that “personalized titles” be awarded by consensus of the Staff for longtime posters whom they feel deserve recognition for special efforts in behalf of the community – it being understood that such awards are arbitrary and at their sole discretion and as they find time to do so, and nobody as a “right” to get one. Three examples I can think of, right off hand: **Scotticher** _Maternal Spirit and Fundraiser_ **Esprix** _The Gay Guy_ **The Bad Astronomer** _Astronomically Valuable Resource_ Each has given of him/herself in ways unique to themselves which others have not seen fit to do, to the lasting benefit of all members. Other examples may come to mind; those three happened to be ones I’ve had personal contact with in my time on the board. I’d ask if there are logical objections to doing this, on the specific rule above (arbitrary staff decision), and if not, I’d like to see it considered as a “community-builder” and way to recognize special contributions to the virtual community that is the SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/45 "2003-02-26T17:23:04Z")
Interesting notion, **Poly**. Kind of like a New Year’s Honours List for the SD. ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/46 "2003-02-27T01:56:54Z")
Might cause some spite in the long run. People are paranoid enough about post counts. I still think this would be a way to raise _some_ money, though. I’d pay $10 a year for a title of my own choosing. ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/47 "2003-02-27T11:55:13Z")
And I’d pay _$20_ a year to have a title for **eris** of my own choosing 😃 😃 ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/48 "2003-02-27T13:23:27Z")
Now _that’s_ a money-making idea. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/49 "2003-02-27T13:29:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Polycarp \* > it merely means loading the “back end” of the board I dunno, that usually costs a lot more than I’d be interested in paying. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2003, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/50 "2003-02-28T07:14:34Z")
> [@](#): > > And I’d pay $20 a year to have a title for eris of my own choosing Let’s talk big-time, here. How about an auction for the rights to change **Ed Zotti** ’s title, or **TubaDiva** ’s? Subject to administrative approval, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2003, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/51 "2003-02-28T07:31:21Z")
TubaDiva KazooYodeler ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2003, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/52 "2003-02-28T07:39:35Z")
EnderW24 Owes Much Chocolate 😛 ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2003, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/53 "2003-02-28T15:05:38Z")
No… no, I’m happy with the rights to **eris**. That would be just dandy. ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2003, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/54 "2003-02-28T15:45:05Z")
Polycarp LotsaFish ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2003, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/55 "2003-02-28T21:55:41Z")
Heck, why stop at a fee for a neat appendage to your moniker. How about a fee for a sock puppet (I’d love to have one name for my mature, respectable, informational posts, and another one for the inane fly-bys, like this one [maybe])? Or, how about a monthly fee for the right to be a jerk? This way I can troll about for the humorless clueless and then sass back to a moderator when confronted without fear of being banned. How much to have Cecil stop by the house for a singing informagram? ## Peace. Back off, Mod! I paid good money to a be a jerk! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Bad\_Astronomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@The\_Bad\_Astronomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bad_Astronomer)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2003, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/56 "2003-03-03T06:38:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Polycarp \* > \*\* > **The Bad Astronomer** > _Astronomically Valuable Resource_ > \*\* Hmmm, I’d prefer “Moon Trash Debater” since that’s a perfect anagram, but the sentiment is appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2003, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/57 "2003-03-03T07:05:05Z")
Anybody remember the banned member who’s title was changed to “Too Stupid For Words”, or some thing like that? Is it still like that? ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2003, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/58 "2003-03-03T09:03:26Z")
I should think that was a Serlin clone. Or Concrete, I suppose. “Boomerang” has also been used for one of those two. pan ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2003, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/59 "2003-03-04T05:44:38Z")
I imagine that as much as a “community builder” it would be, it would be more of a source of complaints over favoritism, cries for fairness, yet another reason to berate the mods and admins, and otherwise generate more hassles. And it’s not necessary. Most of us recognize the good posters by their posts. Isn’t _that_ the whole point? And the best measure of their worth? ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2003, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453/60 "2003-03-04T11:21:22Z")
Tell _that_ to those who so recently received their various OBEs, CBEs and knighthoods pan [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-cool-descriptions-under-their-name/97453.md?page=4)