# 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:** 4
**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, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/61 "2011-07-14T22:52:09Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > 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. And if the OP really was just a cutsey, well-meaning way to say “Hi, I’m confused and would like some information about the way these forums are organized.”, as **C K Dexter Haven** extrapolated from the 5 word OP, it is hard to explain the sudden change of good humor in their next and last post, #3, after having gotten just one semi-cutsey and well-meaning reply from a mod, to what was a completely non-specific and general potshot at the board with no context, at least to anyone lacking **Dex** ’s ability to read between the lines. Had they really meant well, and simply sought information or assistance in a cute, semi-ribbing kinda way, it seems very odd that they would become irate after one semi-ribbing kinda response given to them in kind, and suddenly decide to quit the boards as a result. By post #5 just minutes later, \*\*Marley23 \*\*offered an ear if the OP had any specific questions or complaints, but IMHO they had already decided to leave before they got the first response. ---
**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, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/62 "2011-07-14T22:52:18Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I guess I should join **Irishman** on the short bus, because I don’t see a question in the OP, either. Haha ok sure. Whatever guys. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/63 "2011-07-14T23:07:56Z")
No, he snarked first. “Just saying.” is a meme, and it means you are concern trolling. The purpose is to passive-aggressively complain. It is NOT a way of forming a question. And, seeing as he snarked first, he should have been able to accept a lighthearted response. He didn’t. Dex seems to be under the mistaken premise that we want to get new members. No, the fact that we ban people means we want new members who fit. If the OP is going to get this upset over a joking reply, after saying crap about us, then they would not last very long here. If Colibri’s response runs you off, then he did you a favor. You won’t like it here. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/64 "2011-07-14T23:45:13Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > No, he snarked first. “Just saying.” is a meme, and it means you are concern trolling. The purpose is to passive-aggressively complain. It is NOT a way of forming a question. > > And, seeing as he snarked first, he should have been able to accept a lighthearted response. He didn’t. Dex seems to be under the mistaken premise that we want to get new members. No, the fact that we ban people means we want new members who fit. If the OP is going to get this upset over a joking reply, after saying crap about us, then they would not last very long here. > > If Colibri’s response runs you off, then he did you a favor. You won’t like it here. Much as it pains me, I agree with **Big T**. 😉 The OP had no question in post #1. It was a bitch. ---
**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, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/65 "2011-07-14T23:58:42Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > No, he snarked first. “Just saying.” is a meme, and it means you are concern trolling. The purpose is to passive-aggressively complain. It is NOT a way of forming a question. Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/66 "2011-07-15T01:49:04Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Much as it pains me, I agree with **Big T**. 😉 > > The OP had no question in post #1. It was a bitch. I agree with his first sentence but the OP was in the right forum and deserved the benefit of the doubt from the first mod in. Granted, I think I understood the OP - a bitch - but there wasn’t enough information to justify a swipe by a mod\* in this forum\*. That said, I have no love for the OP and I really don’t hold it against \*\*Colibri \*\*either. As a point of order, though, he was a little too quick on the trigger, IMHO. ---
**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 15, 2011, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/67 "2011-07-15T03:14:03Z")
Yeah, I think the board will get along fine without the OP. I might have enjoyed seeing some posts from a new kid on the block with some fresh, if smart alecky, takes on things around here. But I won’t lose sleep. And I don’t knock the posters who decided to snark back at snarky. But I did think Colibri should have just broken things down for the OP. And I think I misunderstood Colibri’s first post because Chronos said: > [@](#): > > 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 (bolding mine) and I saw Colibri’s first post as straight up snark. So maybe others are seeing it clearer than I am. But again, I’m sure the board will get along fine regardless. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/68 "2011-07-15T03:28:34Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > (bolding mine) and I saw Colibri’s first post as straight up snark. So maybe others are seeing it clearer than I am. Just for the record, I intended it more as a bit of kidding - at our own expense - rather than as real snark. I mean, _we are_ screwy - _and we like it that way._. There wasn’t any question in the OP, nor even a clear complaint. So I shrugged rather than attempt to guess at what he meant. Those who take it as a swipe are reading more into it than I intended. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/69 "2011-07-15T03:38:57Z")
The food here stinks . . . and the portions are too small! ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/70 "2011-07-15T06:08:58Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Yeah, I think the board will get along fine without the OP. I might have enjoyed seeing some posts from a new kid on the block with some fresh, if smart alecky, takes on things around here. hahaha He took his ball and went home after “Thank you very much. We try to keep it that way.” How you got the impression that he’d provide a “fresh, if smart alecky” point of view, I’m not sure. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/71 "2011-07-15T06:13:28Z")
I never got a fruit basket. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/72 "2011-07-15T09:33:31Z")
The poster was here for a month. He should have had a “feel” for the board- he certainly knew the correct forum to post his comment in. So what on earth was he hoping to achieve? I can’t believe he was seriously after an explanation. And if the food doesn’t improve I’m outta here… ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/73 "2011-07-15T11:19:26Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > And if the food doesn’t improve I’m outta here… You will eat what’s put in front of you and be thankful. Have I made myself clear? ---
**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 15, 2011, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/74 "2011-07-15T11:44:36Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > hahaha > > He took his ball and went home after “Thank you very much. We try to keep it that way.” > > How you got the impression that he’d provide a “fresh, if smart alecky” point of view, I’m not sure. For me fresh = new. And smart alecky = kinda snarky. It’s not a delicate formula that must be aced in order to be in my presence on a message board. It’s simply a new snarky kind of kid around. WTF. And I don’t care if someone is easily offended enough to be scared off by the gang when they come to a new play ground. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have had fun playing ball with that person. This is dumb. I have no interest in repeating myself again and again, so I’m going to make this the last time and then I’m taking my ball and going home; I have no problem with posters snarking on snarky noobs. I simply think that the crowd that stumbles upon us through google or something may be fun to have around if a mod would break things down for them when they seem confused. ETA: Or not confused. If they post something that looks like a mod can clear things up for them in some way. ---
**Author:** ![srzss05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@srzss05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srzss05)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/75 "2011-07-15T12:19:16Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > I simply think that the crowd that stumbles upon us through google or something may be fun to have around if a mod would break things down for them when they seem confused. > > ETA: Or not confused. If they post something that looks like a mod can clear things up for them in some way. The thing is, what happened here is typical in every single case. Perhaps the OP deserved what he got; I can agree with that (but not from a mod). But look at, for example, what happens when someone opens a “zombie” thread. Everybody leaps at the chance to be a poor comedian. That is basically the same as telling them not to post in such threads, and if they are so stupid to do so then they shouldn’t post at all. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/76 "2011-07-15T12:36:29Z")
Everybody leaps at a chance to be a comedian in most threads. This poster was a veteran of 80 posts. He could have said “Your forums suck, why do you set them up this way? or Your forums suck, have you considered doing this…” Instead he opted for a half smart comment. Or half stupid. he didn’t just stumble upon the board via google and decide to post. ---
**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 15, 2011, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/77 "2011-07-15T12:50:12Z")
> [@EvilTOJ](#): > > I never got a fruit basket. ☹ I believe the previous owner had a reptile problem. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/78 "2011-07-15T14:03:27Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I believe the previous owner had a reptile problem. I’ve never had a problem with a reptile. And I am missing a fruit basket. :dubious: ---
**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 15, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/79 "2011-07-15T15:25:22Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > I’ve never had a problem with a reptile. And I am missing a fruit basket. :dubious: The hampsters killed the asp. As soon as we replace it, the fruit basket will make it’s rounds. ---
**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 15, 2011, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958/80 "2011-07-15T15:42:56Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > Everybody leaps at a chance to be a comedian in most threads. > > This poster was a veteran of 80 posts. He could have said “Your forums suck, why do you set them up this way? or Your forums suck, have you considered doing this…” > > Instead he opted for a half smart comment. Or half stupid. he didn’t just stumble upon the board via google and decide to post. Or he could have been, oh, I don’t know…_polite_ about it and asked “Why are your forums set up the way they are?” But no, he leads with an insult and got exactly what he deserved. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-forum-topics-are-screwy/588958.md?page=5)