# Your forum topics are screwy **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 14, 2011, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958 "2011-07-14T01:54:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/41 "2011-07-14T16:27:03Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > I disagree. It’s clear to anyone, and especially to a newcomer, that our forums are screwy. Just because we’re used to them, that don’t mean they’re not pretty much off-the-wall. They’re not categorized in the way 94.2% of other boards are categorized. Even long-time members are occasionally perplexed “mundane and pointless” being applied to, say, an obituary. In all honesty, I assumed “forum topics” was referring to the threads, and not the name of each forum. And I’ve never found anything particularly “screwy” about the forums here (although admittedly, I did not have wide experience with other boards before joining this one). ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/42 "2011-07-14T16:36:04Z")
> [@mlees](#): > > Post #1 didn’t deserve the snark, but post #3 did. Just sayin’… The double commas did it. Zero content OP, with an “I’m leaving” follow-up deserves every bit of snark that flies. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Why](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/96bed5/32.png) [@Doctor\_Why](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Why)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/43 "2011-07-14T16:38:49Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > You think the HIS comment was “bitching”?? I guess it’s all a matter of how one reads tone. I read it as a somewhat cutesy way of saying, “hey, this is confusin’.” One can, remember, read “good morning” as a dismissal. The OP can be read that way. It looks as if **Colibri** read it that way. However, post #3 makes it clear that he was bitching. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/44 "2011-07-14T16:47:22Z")
> [@Doctor\_Why](#): > > The OP can be read that way. It looks as if **Colibri** read it that way. However, post #3 makes it clear that he was bitching. Come on. Post 3 was in response to snark. People have every right to respond to snark with snark. And all the posters that want to give a hard time to a new poster that comes struttin’ in all overly familiar and flip, that’s fine. But the _mods_ should have answered the question. I for one don’t have to break out the fruit baskets to a new member, but I do like new members, even (if not especially) the smart asses. ETA: Furthermore, enough already with the pretending to be completely unable to process with the OP meant. Even if it wasn’t clear as crystal, a mod could have taken a stab at it or asked for clarity, like Marley did. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/45 "2011-07-14T17:00:02Z")
Anyone who, in a nutshell, signs up to say “I don’t like your board topics” isn’t going to move me to explain why they are the way they are and beg them to stay. Just saying… ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Why](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/96bed5/32.png) [@Doctor\_Why](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Why)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/46 "2011-07-14T17:07:25Z")
Post #2 didn’t seem snarky to me. To paraphrase the first 3 posts as I saw them: JimH52: Your forums are weird. Colibri: For a reason. JimH52: Screw you. I’m outta here. Could **Colibri** have elaborated? Sure. But **JimH52** didn’t make it clear how vexed he was by the organization of these forums. I think it was entirely reasonable to parse the OP as an offhand comment, not a cry for help from a newbie drowning in a sea of confusion. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/47 "2011-07-14T17:16:47Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > For shame, people. On more _refined_ boards, new posters who announce “you guys suck and I’m leaving!” are showered with gentle words, forgiving kindness, and fruit baskets. > > Go ahead, try it! I usually say, “See you next week.” ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/48 "2011-07-14T19:00:14Z")
In fairness **JimH52** ’s presentation invited snark from far and wide. There are different approaches to this problem many might have taken depending on their perceived cut of the jib of the OP. Many, especially as newcomers here, may well find the organization of topics confusing. Not all would present this confusion to the mods, and forum membership at large, with a one-line post indicating that they are “screwy” and then storming out of the conversation with an ultimatum about quitting, all without ever asking a question, providing a smidgeon of context, or stating what changes they would recommend. I see it as being like a guest in someone’s home and saying “Your furniture is screwy, and I’m leaving”. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out is a perfectly reasonable response, not just to a vague and unspecified complaint about the forum topics, but mostly to their manner of presenting the complaint. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/49 "2011-07-14T19:14:58Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > You think the HIS comment was “bitching”?? I guess it’s all a matter of how one reads tone. Yes, that’s the way I read his post. “Just Saying…” is a giveaway. Now if he’d asked “What’s up with that?” or pretty much anything I might have felt differently. > [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Come on. Post 3 was in response to snark. People have every right to respond to snark with snark. Yeah, but starting with a comment that’s less than clear is kinda inviting snark. > [@](#): > > But the _mods_ should have answered the question. What question? > [@](#): > > ETA: Furthermore, enough already with the pretending to be completely unable to process with the OP meant. Even if it wasn’t clear as crystal, a mod could have taken a stab at it or asked for clarity, like Marley did. Who is pretending anything? I _am_ able to process what the OP meant, he meant “Hey, your board sucks. Just saying…” If that’s not what he meant, he did a lousy job of communicating. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/50 "2011-07-14T19:17:23Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > When you’re done with the basket, can I have it? I have travel plans. I’m going to paint it green and yellow, then it’s all yours. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/51 "2011-07-14T19:38:10Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > What question? > > Who is pretending anything? I _am_ able to process what the OP meant, he meant “Hey, your board sucks. Just saying…” If that’s not what he meant, he did a lousy job of communicating. [What question? Who is pretending anything?](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cadI18MG4K4/TTXNp6uCJOI/AAAAAAAAAP0/SK6FYDPjBKw/s1600/confused-man.jpg) Look, if you honest to goodness in your heart couldn’t parse what me and Dex parsed from the OP, fine. I think it’s a bit on the dimmer side than I had pegged you for, but fine. Mods should have answered the ‘question’. Just my opinion. ---
**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:** [July 14, 2011, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/52 "2011-07-14T19:44:18Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > I hope you’ll overlook the somewhat childish responses you’ve got so far in this thread, and reconsider. Is Cecil auditing you this week, or what? ---
**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:** [July 14, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/53 "2011-07-14T19:51:34Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > Hey, that’s a nice fruit basket. Mind if I take it? watch out for asps. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/54 "2011-07-14T20:44:12Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Is Cecil auditing you this week, or what? Is his face audit-y? This is a major taunt to crowd control. ---
**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:** [July 14, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/55 "2011-07-14T20:52:49Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Is his face audit-y? This is a major taunt to crowd control. Now I’m confused. ---
**Author:** ![srzss05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@srzss05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srzss05)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/56 "2011-07-14T21:27:03Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > For shame, people. On more _refined_ boards, new posters who announce “you guys suck and I’m leaving!” are showered with gentle words, forgiving kindness, and fruit baskets. > > Go ahead, try it! Actually, quite a lot of them just ignore such posts. Go ahead, try it. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/57 "2011-07-14T22:02:20Z")
I would, but I’m busy ignoring yours. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/58 "2011-07-14T22:08:46Z")
The OP didn’t seem like a serious criticism or a serious inquiry of any kind to me. He certainly didn’t state his complaint in terms that make a rational reply easy. Frankly, I had no idea what he was talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/59 "2011-07-14T22:21:18Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Look, if you honest to goodness in your heart couldn’t parse what me and Dex parsed from the OP, fine. I think it’s a bit on the dimmer side than I had pegged you for, but fine. I guess I should join **Irishman** on the short bus, because I don’t see a question in the OP, either. ---
**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:** [July 14, 2011, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/60 "2011-07-14T22:28:34Z")
Heck, the OP didn’t even state that his topic was a complaint. Everyone in this thread, **Dex** included, acknowledges that the way we organize our fora here is in fact a bit screwy, but most of us like them that way. Which is pretty much what **Colibri** said, albeit he said it a bit more concisely. And that single innocuous comment was enough to chase **JimH52** away. The snark didn’t start until after that, by which time it was fully justified. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958.md?page=4)