# Why do you care who pays? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 1, 2008, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572 "2008-05-01T05:42:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/1 "2008-05-01T05:42:10Z")
**USCdiver**? [why do you care?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=466190) ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/2 "2008-05-01T05:49:02Z")
Why do you care if he cares who pays? ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/3 "2008-05-01T05:52:34Z")
[QUOTE=1920s Style “Death Ray”] Why do you care if he cares who pays? [/QUOTE] I asked in the thread, it was closed. I’m interested in why they care. ---
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/4 "2008-05-01T05:53:26Z")
[QUOTE=1920s Style “Death Ray”] Why do you care if he cares who pays? [/QUOTE] Why do you care why he cares why USCdiver cares who pays? I have to agree with the OP, though. As I pointed out in the thread, the only people who really care about such trivial shit are the ones who will make the distinction “cheapskate” vs. “holier than thou.” ---
**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:** [May 1, 2008, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/5 "2008-05-01T05:55:33Z")
[QUOTE=atomicbadgerrace] Why do you care why he cares why USCdiver cares who pays? I have to agree with the OP, though. As I pointed out in the thread, the only people who really care about such trivial shit are the ones who will make the distinction “cheapskate” vs. “holier than thou.” [/QUOTE] Actually, my “Moocher” versus “Holier Than Thou” suggestion was a lame attempt at humor that got mistaken for sniping. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/6 "2008-05-01T06:05:21Z")
[QUOTE=atomicbadgerrace] Why do you care why he cares why USCdiver cares who pays? I have to agree with the OP, though. As I pointed out in the thread, the only people who really care about such trivial shit are the ones who will make the distinction “cheapskate” vs. “holier than thou.” [/QUOTE] Why do you care why **1920s Style Death Ray** cares why **wring** (who is of the feminine persuasion, IIRC) cares why **USCdiver** cares? I couldn’t care less, myself. Well, I probably could, if I was willing to put a little effort into it, but that kind of thing always makes my head hurt. And what style of diving does **USCdiver** specialize in? Diver Dan, Mike Nelson, or Greg Lougainis? Don’t ask me to articulate why, but learning the answer to this is incredibly important to me… ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/7 "2008-05-01T06:07:00Z")
Some boards have progressive titles determined by post count, such as member, juinior member, senior member etc. But that seems silly, doesn’t it? Isn’t post count and join date enough to demonstrate status? From what I understand, charter member subscriptions helped keep the board afloat during uncertain times. Perhaps there should be some form of recognition, but honestly, does it really matter? Why not just put charter member in your sig? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/8 "2008-05-01T06:13:26Z")
Stifle it, n00b. Just kidding. You make a pretty good point. Welcome to the Dope. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/9 "2008-05-01T06:31:14Z")
Thanks **kaylasdad99**. For both the welcome and the WTF moment. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/10 "2008-05-01T06:56:13Z")
I think there should be a checkbox in your profile that says “ I care who pays” and if you have that checked, other members will appear to you as either “Member” or “Member who pays.” **But** your title, to everyone else, will be “Someone who cares who pays.” To other members who care who pays, you will either be “Someone who cares who pays,” or “Someone who cares who pays but does not themself pay.” ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/11 "2008-05-01T09:39:28Z")
I want the recognition: I paid for something that other folks get for free. Sounds like a sexual transaction, doesn’t it? Maybe I don’t want the recognition after all. Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![SomeUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e480ec/32.png) [@SomeUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SomeUserName)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/12 "2008-05-01T09:46:34Z")
Another board I frequent is 99% free. They have one forum that only allows access if you are a paid member. I don’t know if that is doable but if the paid members want something special than they can gather there. Otherwise I don’t see the point in making it public. If the only thing a paying member gets is the block of banner ads then that is more of a personal preference than a status symbol. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/13 "2008-05-01T09:50:35Z")
[QUOTE=Blank Slate] Perhaps there should be some form of recognition, but honestly, does it really matter? [/quote] Yes, and it should matter to you too. If charter membership can be just a bullshit promise easily broken, then so can any promise made now or in the future. > [@](#): > > Why not just put charter member in your sig? Two reasons: (1) people could do that even if they weren’t charters, and (2) sigs can be turned off. ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/14 "2008-05-01T09:52:06Z")
I don’t think it’s a good idea to seperate the paying and non-paying members. “Platinum Edition” websites are cheaper in theroy, but annoying as heck to navigate, and always with that feeling that you’re missing something. Personally, I’d like to have the title completly customizable, but have the location only allow valid states/countries. That way those of us who want to can personalize our name even further, while the stuff on the right is all fact based. And that way we won’t have to deal with those annoying “but what’s your _real_ location” posts/threads. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/15 "2008-05-01T12:23:50Z")
We have Charter Members who are, to be perfectly frank, total jackasses whose absence would add to the enjoyment of the SDMB. We have later-joining members with much lower post counts who add a lot of fun and intelligence to discussions. The whole “Charter Member” thing is ridiculous. Honestly, guys, you aren’t in fourth grade anymore; you don’t have to be on Jennifer’s “Best Friends” list, you know the one Andrea showed everyone at recess and Tina wasn’t on it and OHMYGOD, to have a sense of self-worth and dignity, as if you need it anyway to post on a semi-anonymous message board. I absolutely refuse to renew before May 10 unless I see something from Zotti or the rest of them that indicates some sort of actual plan to fix the problems with the SDMB. I’ll happily come back if and when that happens, if it happens after May 10, and I guess that means I would lose the vaunted “Charter Member” designation. Here’s the thing: 1. I don’t give a fuck. 2. Nobody else whose opinion I would respect gives a fuck if that title’s under my name or not, and 3. The truth is that most SDMB regulars don’t notice that shit nearly as much as you think. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/16 "2008-05-01T12:30:18Z")
[QUOTE=Siam Sam] Actually, my “Moocher” versus “Holier Than Thou” suggestion was a lame attempt at humor that got mistaken for sniping. ☹ [/QUOTE] I thought it was brilliant. And it would be a funny way to distinguish between the two while poking fun at ourselves. ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/17 "2008-05-01T12:35:39Z")
The only opinion I have on the linked thread is that [this](http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/6773/whywh9.jpg) was pretty funny. ---
**Author:** ![SomeUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e480ec/32.png) [@SomeUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SomeUserName)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/18 "2008-05-01T13:39:59Z")
[QUOTE=RickJay] Honestly, guys, you aren’t in fourth grade anymore; you don’t have to be on Jennifer’s “Best Friends” list, you know the one Andrea showed everyone at recess and **Tina** wasn’t on it…snip [\QUOTE] :eek: ☹ I thought we were friends. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/19 "2008-05-01T13:49:35Z")
It’s a false distinction, I think. We are ALL going to “earn” our participation here, either by looking at ads or by paying. Paying isn’t going to mean you’re a better Doper, it just will mean that you are someone who thinks it’s worth 15 bucks not to see ads. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572/20 "2008-05-01T15:10:24Z")
[QUOTE=Liberal] Yes, and it should matter to you too. If charter membership can be just a bullshit promise easily broken, then so can any promise made now or in the future. [/quote] I really hate when people tell me what I’m supposed to care about. > [@](#): > > Two reasons: (1) people could do that even if they weren’t charters Gasp–the horror! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-care-who-pays/447572.md?page=2)