Why does the SDMB rock so much? Because when you realize it’s 3:00 am, you don’t feel like you wasted your day on a website. You feel like you spent it with some good people.
Because of QED and Tamerlane, along with everything mentioned above.
So many experts, so little time to ask them silly questions 
Because I haven’t quit after three years.
Our dedicated, long-suffering, near-saintly patient mods, past and present.
Well, if we’re talking general points, not specifics, I’ve got to agree tolerance.
Not Tolerance like you get in the real world: “I respect your diversity to the extent the law requires” but tolerance of individuals.
Even the most ridiculous question will get responses. Many telling the person they’re being ridiculous, but also giving honest advice.
That’s also a valid point I think. Our lack of “sugar coating” can make this place feel cold to some, but it only makes the boards work better. No one has to guess what someone thinks. They’ll tell you. Oh, will they tell you.
Because we have members named after obscure species of tropical birds (the Latin name, no less). 
I was just thinking about that thread a couple of days ago. That was really cool.
However much that may put you off lunch.
Diversity of experience among our posters seems to be a hallmark. If it were possible to compile a list of the “Ask the…” threads, one would have an intriguing advertisement for the SDMB right there.
Sailboat
There was a compilation thread a while back, it was quite a list.
We also did a round up of the different SMDB experts that we could think of off the top of our heads. Again, it was a worthy list.
The “Ask the…” Anthology Version3.0 & The “Ask the…” Anthology Version 2.0
Both by the unofficial chief Librarian of the Dope, Idle Thoughts He did a great job with these and an earlier one, I don’t have the link to.
This one was mentioned by Pushkin: Occupations of SDMB members
We also had this one: What’s your area of expertise?
I’ll throw this one in too: 50 Greatest Straight Dope Rants
I saw this thread as it started and I have been struggling to put into words what makes the SDMB special.
I tend to think of the SDMB as an online corner tavern where I can hangout with the regulars, shoot the breeze, argue the age old debates, welcome newcomers, talk sports and movies, and ask and answer oddball questions. I also think of it as an excellent reference library with active and helpful information specialist that are always helpful in tracking down oddball information and usually backing it up.
I think the moderation that keeps the trolls to a minimum and the grammar Nazis that keep poor and sloppy writers like myself on our toes, make the reading environment a great and literate experience.
I think the fact that in a 10 minute period you can debate politics, history, best movies, worst actors, give sympathy to another doper, get advise about beer brewing and get expert science knowledge from the many generous scientist and medical people that give their time and share in our community.
I like the fact, that we mostly tolerate opposing views (at least outside of GD).
Then there is the pie of course.
Jim
Well, we have Lekatt. How many other forums can make that claim?
Or will own up to it.
And this is a perfect example of what makes the SDMB special for me
Thanks, birdie. We belong to the same family 
(you may dispute that).
While there have been many specific examples, I don’t think anyone has expressed the generality:
The greatest feature of the SDMB is the sheer breadth of topics covered.
At any given time you can jump between discussions of, say, “Was Mozart a Hack?” (best line: Mozart was the Barry Manilow of his day); obscure questions of physics; discussion of oddball place names; politics of every possible stripe; “Ask the Prostitute” (not that I did); the latest Pitting of some television Blathering Head. If you can’t find any active thread that interests you at any given time, your cat needs to call the undertaker for you. (Reminds me: we even had a thread on “Oscar the Grim Reaper Kitty”!)
This, of course, is no surprise, since the board’s reason for being is the polymath writings of Cecil Adams. Things will always be interesting when you get a few thousand Cecil-wannabes together. . . .
Huh… I used to be a Charter Member once upon a time, but I guess I let my membership lapse once too often. What do I like about the SDMB? I’d like to present a list:[ul][li]1920’s-style Death Rays[]Rio, by Duran Duran[]Hi, Opal![*]I burning your dog![/ul]Well, thank Og that was short. Once. In 1967. For 20 minutes. [/li]
And to think - we accomplished this without any photoshopped images of Admiral Ackbar!
link?
I think the OP misremembered. It was ask the guy who used to frequent prostitutes. I don’t recall seeing a prostitute post here.
SSG Schwartz
Yeah, link?
I was so hoping it would be on Idle Thought’s list under “**Work Specific - **Customer Relations, Service, and Dealing with People”, but alas, no!
Here is why the SDMB is special —> Can someone please adopt my 2 catz?
A Canadian Doper is asking anyone to adopt his two indoor cats. He’s willing to pay shipping costs, including to the USA, within reason. Read as fellow Dopers begin to step up to the plate and offer support, and hopefully, a good home to two well-loved cats.
The SDMB at its best. Let’s just hope it’s a success, too.