Forget General Questions. Why don’t the powers that be of SDMB add a board (similar to Heloise) where people can gripe & vent about what they need, and what fat-cat manufacturers don’t provide?
For example, on GQ, I posted questions about “why don’t they make” stackable, portable, space-efficient, configurable oak bedroom furniture, and also, sideways opening oven doors (for cramped areas), 4-door fridges and so on
No!
The BBQ pit.
Who cares?
Well jally I don’t share the flippancy of yojimbo on this matter, but I am not particularly interested in any of the topics you mentioned either. I am not sure a new category would really be used. Even the recent addition of IMHO is fairly lightly used in comparison to MPSIMS or General Questions. I don’t think there are enough people sharing an interest in your suggested category for it to take off.
Why don’t they make a board where you can ask why don’t they make a board questions?
How would you moderate a board like that? Would you throw out all threads that bordered on fantasy or science fiction? “Why don’t they make sex androids that really experience orgasm, instead of just making noises?” What about questions like, “Why don’t they make a 200 mpg carburetor?” Depending on who you talk to, the answer might be that they already do, but that Detroit is suppressing it.
First of all, let me say, that the first response by yo-yo was inane (since I didn’t mean “get rid of” GQ, rather, “forget GQ for the purpose of proposing Why-don’t-they suggestions.”
And, for your info, yo-yo, YOU’D care plenty if you counted among the less privileged of the world. Then you’d wish for portability & affordability. It’s the jerks like you who keep the world from becoming a more level playing field.
And no thanks, I’m not interested in the BBQ pit, which might be more aptly named Dregs on Drugs - a Drag…
Duck, who says there isn’t already a pandora’s box of questions absorbed by GQ? Every public board has its fair share, it’s inevitable!
Wanderer, 
glad you don’t share yo-yo’s flippancy, but still, you can’t know for sure that a Why-Dont-They board would be unpopular until it’s tried, could you?
Finally, the reason I proposed such a board, was because the moderator of GQ for some reason locked my topic, stating that I duplicated it from awhile ago. While that’s true, there’s still a need for what I proposed & I was just trying to get the message out in case there’s someone out there in a position to do something about it. I’m talking about something well-planned & well-thought out.
In fact, the few people who did respond to the O.P. liked the idea. It was about portable stackable configurable oak bedroom furniture, and also, in general, the need for a more ENABLING world (just as ramps now enable the handicapped). Apparently the moderator didn’t have enough empathy to put himself into the shoes of people who require such enablement, or he wouldn’t have locked the post.
Since so many people share yo-yo’s crass style, I’ll also call a spade a spade:
I’ve noticed that a LARGE CHUNK of the posters on SraightDope, while very helpful and informative with “scientific facts” are very much lacking when it comes to empathy, AND when it comes to envisioning ideas which HAVE NOT YET BEEN PROVEN. They (thinking they’re so progressive) may accuse the rest of the world as being authoritarian, but their modus operandi, too, is a form of authoritarianism, even though it’s cloaked in the latest crudely abrupt style everyone [except me?] thinks is “so cool”.
WANDERER:
P.S. have you seen http://www.globalideasbank.org?
I’m talking about something like that, except using SDMB forum script (since global’s is a bit awkward).
jally said (to yojimbo):
Yeah, yojimbo, you big meanie! If it weren’t for people like you we’d have enough messageboard forums to end poverty, prejudice, and despair, and empower everybody. But noooooo, you just wanna keep oppressing the masses by shoving everything into existing forums. You’ll be first against the wall when the revolution comes!
Because this message board is devoted to the Straight Dope. It’s not meant to be all things to all people. There IS the forum IMHO, where you could throw out a topic, asking people to design kitchen appliances, and list the pros and cons of each design, or asking if anyone knows of any manufacturers that DO make items to order. Or perhaps you could write to Heloise, or a message board devoted to consumer topics.
I’ll throw in my 2¢ also.
There is a forum to “gripe & vent”, it’s The BBQ Pitforum. If you don’t want to post in that forum, feel free not to do so.
For empathy, you can try this forum: MPSIMS.
The General Questions forum is meant for people to post questions that have a factual answer. I don’t think that a moderator is unreasonable in asking that a question be posted in the proper forum.
You can read the descriptions of each forum here: Straight Dope Message Board Home Page.
So… I was correct in my deduction of the prevalence of flippancy on these boards. Y’know, I’m not all that sure I posted this on the right board. I think I’ll transfer the below to GQ, there might be more statistical chance of at least one wise (vs. “cool”) response.
Arnold, you didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know. Apparently, you haven’t read my response up above about BBQ.
And AS YET there isn’t anything on SDMB that fulfills my needs. HOWEVER, since SDMB is supposed to be a place where people try to answer FACTUAL questions, perhaps one of you wise? guys can tell me where I can get a FACTUAL answer to this question:
QUESTION:
OK, so much for SDMB that fills the purpose of satisfying peoples’ insatiable curiosity. In other words, this board acts as a magnet for the curious minded, the scientific minded… and above all: the flippant-minded.
In other words, they prefer to be observers, sit back, and say, “ah…interesting! Great Entertainment!”
Yep, that’s the Keyword of SDMB & the world at large - Entertainment with a Capital-E.
BUT, where’s the board that matches up PP’s with PP’s? (People of Purpose - with - People in Position to DO something?)
Is there even one PURPOSE board Vs. Entertainment board? And I’m not talking about the all-too-many boards representing organzations with an axe to grind, but rather a General All-Inclusive board.
I’m talking about a board which matches up:
(1) the unprivileged who clearly & logically spell out needs
(2) scientific visionaries ditto
(3) non-scientific visionaries ditto
With those in a position to act upon them.
Above I mentioned GlobalIdeasBank.Org (which has a Suggestion Box). However, Global’s discussion-board script is quite awkward.
Also, (DUCK, ARE YOU LISTENING?) in order to root out & discourage spammy ideas/suggestions, I’d advocate a different type of ratings system:
(1) No negative ratings (only positive, on a scale of 1-5, perhaps a bit like Deja or Epinions)
(2) Members would get to rate these criteria:
Feasibility, Desirability, Well-thought-out, Unique (& perhaps more)
(3) The first 5 people who rate ideas would be “double-blinded”. I.E. they’d only know what their own vote is, thus not being biased by anyone else’s prior vote.
(4) ONLY those ideas which have amassed, say, a minimum of 5 votes with a high median score, would be eligible “to-be-discussed” via “respond-to-this-post”.
TO LYNNE & ARNOLD:
Sorry, if SDMB would have allowed, I’d edit the above to exclude you both from flippancy. At least you were trying to help, although, I’m not that stupid that I haven’t already browsed all the SDMB boards, none of which fills the category I seek.
In fact, I thought this board came the closest to being the place to air the above. Seemingly that assumption was wrong.
Okay, I think I see what you’re getting at. You want a serious forum for serious people to make serious suggestions for serious improvements to various serious appliances, furniture, etc. in hopes that some equally serious manufacturers out there on the Web might give serious consideration to these serious suggestions and then seriously implement them.
Sounds good to me, but I do have one problem with it: I seriously doubt that the serious manufacturers in question give a serious rat’s derriere what the rest of the world thinks. Consumer input not welcome. Those 800 numbers on the back of the shampoo bottles, etc. are just window dressing, babe. You dial them, you talk to a robot, they tape your call and then file it in the circular file. Next caller, go ahead, please.
They have serious marketing research departments that take care of serious market research for them. No need for Joe Blow from Kokomo to send in his two bits’ worth.
But hey, you wanna talk about four-door four-on-the-floor refrigerators, I’m here for you, babe. And I can even add something serious to the conversation (seriously).
NOW HEAR THIS: What the world needs is a chest freezer lid that won’t slam shut on your frickin’ head when you’re down in there halfway to China looking for a TV dinner that does not contain gravy in any way, shape, or form.
[end flippancy alert–this has been a service of the Emergency Broadcast Network]
jally: Yes, I did read your objects to the BBQ Pit forum. My point is that the BBQ Pit is the place reserved on this message board for griping and venting. I regret that the forum does not seem to meet your approval. However you cannot really expect us to alter the forum to suit the needs of an individual poster.
I’m still not sure as to what the intent of your post is. Let me give you a few examples of different questions, and which forum I would personally use for my post. Please be aware that other moderators or administrators may or may not agree with my views.
“Does anyone know where I can buy stackable, portable, space-efficient, configurable oak bedroom furniture?” - General Questions.
“The evil furniture monopoly refuses to build stackable, portable, space-efficient, configurable oak bedroom furniture. A pox on them!” - BBQ Pit.
“I’m bummed. I can’t buy stackable, portable, space-efficient, configurable oak bedroom furniture”. - MPSIMS
“How many people like stackable, portable, space-efficient, configurable oak bedroom furniture?” - IMHO
“Does the lack of stackable, portable, space-efficient, configurable oak bedroom furniture indicate a secret agreement amongs furniture makers? Why this flaw in the free enterprise system? Should the manufacture of these items be enforced by our government?” - Great Debates
I agree however with Duck Duck Goose that your true intent seems to be “I want to start a consumer campaign to encourage manufacturers to make stackable, portable, space-efficient, configurable oak bedroom furniture. Who’s with me?” Such a post could be placed in IMHO or MPSIMS. However, if you get little or no response, it would be against the board spirit to continue to post to your thread to keep it “near the top” (i.e. bumping your own thread) and/or to post the issue multiple times. I personally feel that you may find it difficult to organize the Teeming Millions to join such a crusade, since this does not seem to be an issue that resonates strongly amongst the fans of The Straight Dope.
76 posts and you’re just now realizing this? Buh-bye, then, I guess.
A couple thoughts, Jally. Firstly, Duck was completely serious in his first response to you. He raised a valid point, and you blew him off. That was rude, and IMO he deserves an apology.
Secondly, you specifically mentioned a place to “gripe and vent.” I’m sorry it doesn’t suit you, but there already is such a place. That’s what the Pit’s for. If you choose to merely insult the people who post there, that’s your business, I suppose.
Thirdly, as Lynn pointed out, there are other boards to discuss the ECFCM* as well as neato innovations in mechanical engineering. The management of this board has determined that such topics are best served in the existing forums or elsewhere in cyberspace altogether.
And finally, if these solutions of yours are so very enabling, cost-effective, and beneficial to mankind, do something about it. Have some designs drawn up and submit a patent application. Meet with manufacturers, or even a local machinist, and get some prototypes out. Talk to your neighbors and sell them on your idea. Get the word out.
But don’t expect anyone else to do it for you.
-andros-
(*ECFCM–Evil Conspiracy of Fat Cat Manufacturers. OK, that was a little flippant, though mostly sarcastic.)
God now will you look at all this . Jally I was flippant and for that I apoligise . I read the wrong post at the wrong time and was flippant with you.
That said , please try not to get offended to easy. You’ll enjoy yourself more here if you put a few extra layers of skin on.
Peace . 
Gosh, Arnold, you shore do talk purty.
Dibs on the suggested Pit thread, if Jally doesn’t want it. “The evil furniture monopoly…” [tee hee]
OK, Duck, while I’m a rollin’ on the floor laughing, first I’ll point out that you may be seriously underestimating the effectiveness “of the people by the people” in the form of Epinions & Deja. Which you BETTER BELIEVE affects manufacturers’ bottom line- M-M-MONEY (note how their teeth chatter when speaking of money). I also notice that you didn’t address my response to yours - as follows:
MY PREVIOUS [UNADDRESSED] RESPONSE TO YOURS [WHICH FOLLOWS]:
**
**
Arnold, do I detect patronization of suspected Don-Quixote tendencies? …ah, I only ask, cuz I know patronizing is in vogue
I must say, though, you do have a talent for juggling “in so many other words” (indicate the way to my habitual abode…)
As a response, I’ll repeat myself. Change your above comment to read: "Does anyone know of a BOARD [WITH MY FOREMENTIONED RATING SYSTEM AND A USER-FRIENDLY SCRIPT] where I can post, not only about stackable etc. furniture, but also other needs & ideas for products, sites, & so on.
P.S. I’m about ready to give up, because it’s hard to tilt at windmills (toward a better world) against all naysayers. But here’s a thought: Let’s assume that Epinions or Deja wouldn’t exist yet, & I’d have proposed such a site on this very board, how would you, Arnold, have responded? And to anyone else who happens to be reading this, I might ask the same thing.
And who’s rude now?
I note that you didn’t provide any quotes, merely stating “he raised a valid point” & that I “blew him off”. Please be more explicit, since I’ve NO idea what you’re talking about.
I won’t even bother to respond to your 2nd & 3rd comments.
Oh, & will you provide me with the money for ETC. ETC. ETC.? Besides, I already did more than anyone else did regarding it. I spent hours, thinking up the measurements, & then posting it. If I had the kind of money some people did, you can bet I’d do what you suggested (after higher-priority stuff, that is).