# Why is the quality of posters high on this forum ? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 5, 2016, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231 "2016-04-05T04:03:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/41 "2016-04-06T16:53:46Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Okay, all you smart doods, the plural of forum is fora, not forums; well, at least in the Roman town square sense of things. Okay, never mind. I’m still plugging for “octoplurals”. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/42 "2016-04-06T17:52:08Z")
SDMB is my ‘go to’ for everything. The culture here self-perpetuates. The very essence of The Straight Dope by Cecil Adams attracted the right people, and then they sustained the boards, and the site stayed pure, and the people that like this type of board hang around, and those that don’t move on. Skeptical Inquirer and James Randi have (had?) forums where you better bring your A game, and there isn’t much room for an A-minus game! But here… you have enough forums that you can have leeway: IMHO takes the edge off of intense discussion, cites, references, etc. MPSIMS helps, too. I mean, if it were GD and GQ and little else, the whole place would have went up (down?) in flames. I’ve been around, and as you can see, some others have as well. I think GQ has dropped off, because it’s self-policed differently. It’s one of those things that is nuanced – you can spot it over the years. -Phil ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/43 "2016-04-06T18:04:29Z")
I don’t find the overall quality of posters in this form to be significantly different from any other forum. However, I do find that there is a small number of very high-level posters who have somehow remained faithful to this forum, and it is a pleasure to read their posts, which occur at infrequent intervals. But an “old guard” seems to have a stranglehold on the discussions, and I fear a decline by attrition, as newcomers don’t seem to be warmly welcomed (nor even paid attention to), regardless of the merit of their contributions. I have a sense that many users look first at the source of a comment, and judge it without even reading it. ---
**Author:** ![Sampsiceramos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Sampsiceramos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampsiceramos)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/44 "2016-04-06T18:53:43Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > I don’t find the overall quality of posters in this form to be significantly different from any other forum. However, I do find that there is a small number of very high-level posters who have somehow remained faithful to this forum, and it is a pleasure to read their posts, which occur at infrequent intervals. > > But an “old guard” seems to have a stranglehold on the discussions, and I fear a decline by attrition, as newcomers don’t seem to be warmly welcomed (nor even paid attention to), regardless of the merit of their contributions. I have a sense that many users look first at the source of a comment, and judge it without even reading it. I have to disagree. In my experience, posts tend to be judged by the quality of the writing and/or formatting, not by their creator. That is not to say that there are not at times posts that go overlooked despite the merits of their content, but most often these posts are overlooked because they are written in poor English or because the formatting is an eyesore. You do not get far with gibberish in this place - and quite frankly that’s part of why I personally like it. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/45 "2016-04-06T19:01:59Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > I don’t find the overall quality of posters in this form to be significantly different from any other forum. However, I do find that there is a small number of very high-level posters who have somehow remained faithful to this forum, and it is a pleasure to read their posts, which occur at infrequent intervals. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/46 "2016-04-06T19:08:38Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > I think you mean to say “Thanking people for corrections seems to be another prevalent trait.” 😃 That is more succinct. I like it. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/47 "2016-04-06T19:20:21Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Thank you. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/48 "2016-04-06T19:25:45Z")
If you have to explain a joke … ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/49 "2016-04-06T19:33:17Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > If you have to explain a joke … Thank you. Seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/50 "2016-04-06T19:47:59Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > This is the place that former Jeopardy contestants come to fight among themselves and rant about simple life problems that they can’t solve. It is a unique place that only appeals to a relatively small percentage of people but is invaluable for those that do. We are the anti-Twitter. If you think this comment is hyperbole, I did a study which showed that the density of former Jeopardy contestants on the Dope (there is a thread with a list) is over 100x that in the population at large. And many here who have never been on easily could be if they lived in the right place. The only annoying thing is if you think of a subtle and hilarious joke in response to a post near the beginning of a long thread, someone will have beaten you to it by the end. Dopers are fast, and there is no reference, no matter how subtle, that someone won’t catch. But the main thing is the excellent enforcement of the “don’t be a jerk” policy by our underpaid and overworked mods. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/51 "2016-04-06T19:51:35Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > But the main thing is the excellent enforcement of the “don’t be a jerk” policy by our underpaid and overworked mods. See post 37. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/52 "2016-04-06T23:23:04Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > If you think this comment is hyperbole, I did a study which showed that the density of former Jeopardy contestants on the Dope (there is a thread with a list) is over 100x that in the population at large. And many here who have never been on easily could be if they lived in the right place. FYI, [here’s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19081819&postcount=330) the latest list. At least 40 Dopers have been on _Jeopardy!_ ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/53 "2016-04-06T23:28:00Z")
It isn’t but people like to think it is. ---
**Author:** ![mr\_wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@mr\_wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr_wolf)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/54 "2016-04-06T23:38:44Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > … and Methodists. Could you repeat that, ma’am? ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/55 "2016-04-06T23:39:04Z")
BTW, **Voyager** , could you please provide a link to that study? I just searched all of your posts that mention _Jeopardy!_, back to 2002, and although I found other posts that mentioned it, I didn’t find the study itself. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2016, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/56 "2016-04-07T01:58:20Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > It isn’t but people like to think it is. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2016, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/57 "2016-04-07T11:14:26Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > It isn’t but people like to think it is. Oh, sure, I think we get caught up with a bit of believing our own press. Nothing more weird/funny/entertaining/humbling that one of those **umkay** /I’m a hot escort threads. When I first saw this thread, I was curious if it was someone setting us up to talk about ourselves in a silly way. But since I do think that traffic volume trends are an issue, I used this thread to toss it out for discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Section\_Maker\_Jupe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/section_maker_jupe/32/1424_2.png) [@Section\_Maker\_Jupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Section_Maker_Jupe)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2016, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/58 "2016-04-07T15:41:09Z")
I used to read the Straight Dope columns back in the early 70’s in our local paper…kinda forgot about them…like comics? Fast forward…Googling around, up comes the Dope…wow, a Forum too? I joined up, its the only place I go to nowdays, I dont post much, cant keep up:) Too many smart and fast typists!! ha:D (I was wondering about the amount of work hours lost to posting here? perhaps lots of retired folks? ) As far as traffic volume goes, I have felt that many forums and blogs peaked around the 2009-10 time frame, perhaps as Facebook has grown. Whenever I am searching for information, it just seems as if people who were once posting about everything under the sun…(how to paint your coffee mugs or what have you) have really stopped and moved on. Forums I was a part of and helped moderate have gone under…just sorted faded away… Anyways, hats off to the Mods as well, they do a great job. and please, all you obsessive argumentative folks…ah never mind:p Jupe ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2016, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/59 "2016-04-07T17:22:45Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > FYI, [here’s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19081819&postcount=330) the latest list. At least 40 Dopers have been on _Jeopardy!_ Probably because they can’t hold a job. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231/60 "2016-04-07T18:37:28Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > BTW, **Voyager** , could you please provide a link to that study? I just searched all of your posts that mention _Jeopardy!_, back to 2002, and although I found other posts that mentioned it, I didn’t find the study itself. Okay, you made me stretch my search-fu to the limit. But [here it is.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9515738&postcount=253). In the Pit of all places. [QUOTE=Me] But I thought of a way to estimate Doper intelligence - at least to some extent. I mentioned Jeopardy. I forget how many Doper Jeopardy players we have, but it is at least 25, which is 0.5% of the total. Now, if there are 150 million Americans who might be on Jeopardy, 0.5% of that is 750,000. How many people have actually been on? I’d estimate 2 a day (the champion comes back) or 10 a week or about 500 a year. Over 20 years, that is 10,000, or about .007%. If we considered Dopers a random sample of the population, we’d expect fewer than one Jeopardy contestant. Instead we get 80 times more than chance. I need to get to my statistical software to know for sure, but I think the hypothesis that our population resembles the population as a whole is refuted. Now this doesn’t prove anything, but it strongly suggests that there are lots of Dopers to the far right of the intelligence curve, however you count intelligence. I don’t think we have many if any on the far left, no matter how it seems sometime. [/QUOTE] Now that we’re up to 40 instead of the 25 I used it is even better. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-quality-of-posters-high-on-this-forum/751231.md?page=4)