Snickerdoodles are critical to our free and open form of government. Also, Fenris' pronouncement about Box hijacking

[Roo]

I pulled these posts from this thread, where Fenris seemed to think it was really important. . .so important that he donned his mod hat. If it was that important, it must warrant its own thread.

Originally Posted by Fenris

< Mod Hat On >
...just so we're clear that I'm speaking officially and all.

This is The Box. By definition there is no such thing as an "unrelated thread" here. Any post* in any Box thread is "on topic" and ok. If there's a box thread about how much you like crumpets and a discussion breaks out about "Which is grosser: Goatse or "Two girls, one cup"?" it's on topic (disgusting, but on-topic)

I post this for the benefit of others who might not be as familiar with this, but every poster has two options are:

1) Post threads in The Box where they can be shit upon, hijacked, taken off-topic, etc.

or

2) Post threads in the normal forums where they would go and they will be moderated to the same degree that everyone else's are.

You may return to the regularly scheduled thread.

*Within certain Giraffeboard bounds, for you rules lawyers out there.

Originally Posted by Fenris

I say thee nay, mortal.

I informed of policy, I did not mod. As a matter of fact, I specifically un-modded. I officially stated that the offical rule of the box is (almost) anything goes. So there!

Nyahh.

:hijack:

[Khampelf]

So the official rule is there are no rules?

I think Rene Descartes head just exploded.

[Detroit Hoser]

Speaking of which, I'm awake and waiting for some fine opiates to kick in and kick butt, and this means I'll be awake for at least two hours. The question is, should I bake snickerdoodles or peanut butter cookies?

The larger question is: Which takes less effort? I'm lazy as hell.

[Detroit Hoser]

Originally Posted by Khampelf

So the official rule is there are no rules?

I think Rene Descartes head just exploded.

His first name was Rene? I never knew that.

[Solfy]

Originally Posted by Detroit Hoser

Speaking of which, I'm awake and waiting for some fine opiates to kick in and kick butt, and this means I'll be awake for at least two hours. The question is, should I bake snickerdoodles or peanut butter cookies?

The larger question is: Which takes less effort? I'm lazy as hell.

Snickerdoodles. Measuring peanut butter is a pain in the ass.

[Darmund]

...

[mlerose]

Plus, snickerdoodles are delicious!

[Jeff]

Roo, stop messing with Fenris. He's quite mentally fragile and can't handle the irony.

[Hunter Hawk]

Originally Posted by Solfy

Measuring peanut butter is a pain in the ass.

UR DOIN IT RONG

[Khampelf]

Originally Posted by Detroit Hoser

His first name was Rene? I never knew that.

Yes indeed. (I just double checked the spelling).

But I probably only know that from the Monty Python song that features him.

[Detroit Hoser]

Crap, now I'm just all confused.

I'd best be pulling out my slide rule. I'll come back later with the results

[Solfy]

Originally Posted by Detroit Hoser

I'd best be pulling out my slide rule. I'll come back later with the results

And some fresh snickerdoodles?

[Roo]

Originally Posted by Fenris

< Mod Hat On >
<snip>
I post this for the benefit of others who might not be as familiar with this, but every poster has two options are:

1) Post threads in The Box where they can be shit upon, hijacked, taken off-topic, etc.

or

2) Post threads in the normal forums where they would go and they will be moderated to the same degree that everyone else's are.

I post this for the benefit of others who might take Fenris' post at face value (so I'm pretty much just howling into the wind here).

While it's true that if you post threads in the Box, "they [threads] can be shit upon, hijacked, taken off-topic, etc.", but just as often as outside the Box, they are not. For me personally, threads in the Box have been at least as on-topic as ones outside the Box.

In the past 6 months, I've started 11 threads outside the Box and 20 threads in the Box (including 2 that I split out posts from another). Of those, my subjective experience was that the threads in the Box were more likely to stay on-topic and have more courteous and thoughtful discussion.

Now, of course, I wouldn't be surprised if Fenris' socks showed up to threadshit on my threads, but that could happen to my threads equally in the Box or out of the Box. But before my thread to WednesdayAddams, my threads in the Box were more productive than my threads outside the Box.

[Detroit Hoser]

Look, I'm just going to save everyone the time and trouble of threadshitting by saying the recipe I used for my snickerdoodles was way WAY better than the ones my mom made. Oh wow, I'm not kidding. These are really wonderful (I'm typing with food in my mouth, excuse me.)

Seriously, one shouldn't do stupid stuff when under the influence of opiate analgesics. They only trick the brain into thinking it feels good, and then it wears off, dammit.

But holy heck, these cookies are worth it.

[eleanorigby]

Um, hello? RECIPE maybe? (or no more drugs for YOU!)

[Dragonlady]

Hoser:
Baking awesome cookies is never stupid.
Sorry you're needing the opiates.

[Borborygmi]

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XXXXXXX.......XXXXXXX.....OOOOOOOOO........BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
X:::::X.......X:::::X...OO:::::::::OO.....B::::::::::::::::B
X:::::X.......X:::::X.OO:::::::::::::OO..B:::::::::::::::::B
X::::::X.....X::::::XO:::::::OOO:::::::OB::::::BBBBBB:::::BB
XXX:::::X...X:::::XXXO::::::O...O::::::OB:::::B.....B::::B..
...X:::::X.X:::::X...O:::::O.....O:::::OB:::::B.....B::::B..
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.....X:::::::::X.....O:::::O.....O:::::O.B:::::BBBBBB::::B..
.....X:::::::::X.....O:::::O.....O:::::O..BB:::::::::::::B..
....X:::::X:::::X....O:::::O.....O:::::O.B:::::BBBBBB::::B..
...X:::::X.X:::::X...O:::::O.....O:::::OB:::::B.....B::::B..
XXX:::::X...X:::::XXXO::::::O...O::::::OB:::::B.....B::::B..
X::::::X.....X::::::XO:::::::OOO:::::::OB:::::B.....B:::::BB
X:::::X.......X:::::X.OO:::::::::::::OO..B:::::BBBBBB::::::B
X:::::X.......X:::::X...OO:::::::::OO.....B::::::::::::::::B
XXXXXXX.......XXXXXXX.....OOOOOOOOO........BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB

[Rebo]

Duuuuude!

You have way too much time on your hands.

It's fabulous!

[Giraffe]

Originally Posted by Roo

While it's true that if you post threads in the Box, "they [threads] can be shit upon, hijacked, taken off-topic, etc.", but just as often as outside the Box, they are not. For me personally, threads in the Box have been at least as on-topic as ones outside the Box.

In the past 6 months, I've started 11 threads outside the Box and 20 threads in the Box (including 2 that I split out posts from another). Of those, my subjective experience was that the threads in the Box were more likely to stay on-topic and have more courteous and thoughtful discussion.

And? As we've discussed in other threads, we've taken various tacks to try to decrease hijacks with varying degrees of success. As you note, in general we haven't been wildly successful and a lot of threads drift off into other topics. That doesn't been we've given up completely -- if an OP reports that their thread is being hijacked, we'll jump in and try to help keep things on track.

As Fenris noted, though, the Box is a completely different story. If I start a thread here and someone immediately makes a lengthy post about mittens, I'm not going to say boo (in an official mod capacity, I might link them to a picture of a baby flipping them off).

The fact that your Box threads have stayed on topic so far is just a lucky intersection of courtesy and disinterest, IMO. Which is great, I'm glad you've found a forum where you're happy.

[Glazer]

Originally Posted by Roo

I post this for the benefit of others who might take Fenris' post at face value (so I'm pretty much just howling into the wind here).

While it's true that if you post threads in the Box, "they [threads] can be shit upon, hijacked, taken off-topic, etc.", but just as often as outside the Box, they are not. For me personally, threads in the Box have been at least as on-topic as ones outside the Box.

In the past 6 months, I've started 11 threads outside the Box and 20 threads in the Box (including 2 that I split out posts from another). Of those, my subjective experience was that the threads in the Box were more likely to stay on-topic and have more courteous and thoughtful discussion.

Now, of course, I wouldn't be surprised if Fenris' socks showed up to threadshit on my threads, but that could happen to my threads equally in the Box or out of the Box. But before my thread to WednesdayAddams, my threads in the Box were more productive than my threads outside the Box.

We like you better in the box. Plus the irony is delicious.

[hajario]

Originally Posted by Giraffe

a lucky intersection of courtesy and disinterest

This should be the board's new tag line.

[Khampelf]

Originally Posted by Borborygmi

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XXXXXXX.......XXXXXXX.....OOOOOOOOO........BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
X:::::X.......X:::::X...OO:::::::::OO.....B::::::::::::::::B
X:::::X.......X:::::X.OO:::::::::::::OO..B:::::::::::::::::B
X::::::X.....X::::::XO:::::::OOO:::::::OB::::::BBBBBB:::::BB
XXX:::::X...X:::::XXXO::::::O...O::::::OB:::::B.....B::::B..
...X:::::X.X:::::X...O:::::O.....O:::::OB:::::B.....B::::B..
....X:::::X:::::X....O:::::O.....O:::::OB:::::B.....B::::B..
.....X:::::::::X.....O:::::O.....O:::::O.B:::::BBBBBB::::B..
.....X:::::::::X.....O:::::O.....O:::::O..BB:::::::::::::B..
....X:::::X:::::X....O:::::O.....O:::::O.B:::::BBBBBB::::B..
...X:::::X.X:::::X...O:::::O.....O:::::OB:::::B.....B::::B..
XXX:::::X...X:::::XXXO::::::O...O::::::OB:::::B.....B::::B..
X::::::X.....X::::::XO:::::::OOO:::::::OB:::::B.....B:::::BB
X:::::X.......X:::::X.OO:::::::::::::OO..B:::::BBBBBB::::::B
X:::::X.......X:::::X...OO:::::::::OO.....B::::::::::::::::B
XXXXXXX.......XXXXXXX.....OOOOOOOOO........BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB

There you go, poking Roo in the box again.

Maybe it's a biblical reference to Roo more or less demanding to be Boxed?

ASCII ye shall receive?

[shamrock]

I'm just here for the snickerdoodles recipe.

[Sybarite]

I've never had snickerdoodles. I might have to make them some day.

[SmartAleq]

Snickerdoodles are pretty much sugar cookies that get a little freaky in the spice cabinet. Nothing against them, mind you, there are just cookies I like better. Although it's pretty tough to beat a warm snickerdoodle as a companion to coffee--that there is a rather magical synthesis.

[hroark2112]

Originally Posted by Roo

Of those, my subjective experience was that the threads in the Box were more likely to stay on-topic and have more courteous and thoughtful discussion.

I totally agree, snickerdoodles > peanut butter cookies

Oreos > peanut butter cookies

Sugar cookies > peanut butter cookies

I'm allergic to nuts, so pretty much any kind of cookies > peanut butter when it comes to my opinion.

To get back on topic, did any of you watch that Vancouver/Boston game last night?? Great game!!

[Uthrecht]

Originally Posted by Khampelf

There you go, poking Roo in the box again.

TMI.

[Wolf Larsen]

Roo. In the box. With the candlestick.

[Dragonlady]

Perv. :eew:

[Wolf Larsen]

Ain'tcha never played Clue?

[Chacoguy]

Originally Posted by Wolf Larsen

Roo. In the box. With the candlestick.

Originally Posted by Dragonlady

Perv. :eew:

Originally Posted by Wolf Larsen

Ain'tcha never played Clue?

[Dragonlady]

Yep.

And it was in the Conservatory, not in the Box.

[Roo]

Originally Posted by Giraffe

And? As we've discussed in other threads, we've taken various tacks to try to decrease hijacks with varying degrees of success. As you note, in general we haven't been wildly successful and a lot of threads drift off into other topics. That doesn't been we've given up completely -- if an OP reports that their thread is being hijacked, we'll jump in and try to help keep things on track.

As Fenris noted, though, the Box is a completely different story. If I start a thread here and someone immediately makes a lengthy post about mittens, I'm not going to say boo (in an official mod capacity, I might link them to a picture of a baby flipping them off).

TLDR version: Box and non-Box threads: same difference.

What could (or potentially might not) happen in someone's fevered imagination based on a theoretical model that doesn't match reality, doesn't count.

And I'm good with that. I'm not complaining about how it works. I was just responding to Fenris' stark dichotomy, which doesn't exist.

Originally Posted by Giraffe

The fact that your Box threads have stayed on topic so far is just a lucky intersection of courtesy and disinterest, IMO. Which is great, I'm glad you've found a forum where you're happy.

While I'm sure there was some luck involved, I think there was more to it than that.

Your endorsement of the first few threads helped a lot and set the tone, IMO. Thanks again for that, btw.

And my theory is that it's more than simply disinterest that is beneficial. It's the ability for some people to actively block my threads that is the biggest advantage. Some people can put me on ignore and take the Box off the New Posts list (and subscribe to Qwisp's thread if they like) and they can effectively not see most of my threads. That makes it easy to ignore my threads. So the people who do show up are hopefully not there by accident and are willing to discuss the topic, knowing that I'm the threadstarter.

That said, IIRC, every person who has claimed to have me on ignore, has shown up in my Box threads except for one person.

[Roo]

Originally Posted by F'ing New Guy

We like you better in the box. Plus the irony is delicious.

Gotta love that irony!

[Fenris]

Originally Posted by Roo

Fenris' stark dichotomy

Is that what you're calling it?

Your endorsement of the first few threads helped a lot and set the tone, IMO. Thanks again for that, btw.

And my theory is blahblahblahblahblahblah.

< No Mod Hat>
This is off-topic. The topic of this thread is snickerdoodles, best cookies ever or just sugar-cookies faking it?

As a matter of fact, I'm going to add a poll to that effect now.

[Borborygmi]

I'm not certain if snickerdoodles are the best cookies ever; they might be. Definitely in the top 3. Certainly they are not merely "sugar-cookies faking it", so I don't have any reservations about voting "Best cookie ever" instead.

Since this thread is now a Roo and Fenris joint effort, I will conclude by adding way too many smilies to my post, in their honor.

umpkin: :brains: :scitard: :duh: :o altr: :bat: :scitard: :watch: :imp: :zombie: :jazz: :imp:

[WednesdayAddams]

You left out Disco Fenris, which is way better than jazzhands.

Edit: What the hell happened to Disco Fenris Smiley? We get rid of that but we keep the Frankenstein? That's just messed up.

[Wolf Larsen]

I like snickerdoodles, but the poll doesn't have enough options. You left out "A really good cookie, that I will inhale like a madman given an opportunity, but not the best ever".

[Detroit Hoser]

The short version of the snickerdoodles hijack is that I used a recipe from AllRecipes.com that I'd never used before, so they tasted just a little bit different than the snickerdoodles my mom used to make. Maybe even better. Different, though. Ain't no thang as a bad cookie unless it has a raisin in it.

[Caerie]

Snickerdoodles are my kryptonite. If there was a super villain plot to take over the world and I was the only one who could stop it, my archenemy could prevent me from doing so by distracting me with freshly baked, chewy snickerdoodles. If I developed diabetes, I would eventually commit suicide via snickerdoodle. If I had to choose between snickerdoodles and my hypothetical first born, eh...I could have more hypothetical kids.

[Fenris]

Originally Posted by WednesdayAddams

You left out Disco Fenris, which is way better than jazzhands.

Edit: What the hell happened to Disco Fenris Smiley? We get rid of that but we keep the Frankenstein? That's just messed up.

I didn't get rid of him/it. I blame Giraffe.

[BJMoose]

Originally Posted by Borborygmi

umpkin: :brains: :scitard: :duh: :o altr: :bat: :scitard: :watch: :imp: :zombie: :jazz: :imp:

Boy, if that doesn't look like a group photo from a Raffe Fest. . . .

[Dragonlady]

I knew I'd seen that picture of us, somewhere before!

[Roo]

Originally Posted by Fenris

As a matter of fact, I'm going to add a poll to that effect now.

Hi Fenris!

Thanks for making my point for me in blazing technicolor.

And that, boys and girls, is why Box and non-Box threads are exactly the same.

[Wolf Larsen]

Originally Posted by Roo

Hi Fenris!

Thanks for making my point for me in blazing technicolor.

And that, boys and girls, is why Box and non-Box threads are exactly the same.

This is striking me like being upset at the jack-booted thuggery of a Quaker Meeting.

[Roo]

Originally Posted by Wolf Larsen

This is striking me like being upset at the jack-booted thuggery of a Quaker Meeting.

Upset? Who's upset?

[Fenris]

Originally Posted by Roo

Hi Fenris!

Thanks for making my point for me in blazing technicolor.

And that, boys and girls, is why Box and non-Box threads are exactly the same.

Hi Roo!

Your point is only on the top of your tiny pin-head.

This is The Box. Anything goes.

Try again with your OP in the Pit where it belongs and I won't put a poll at the top.

[Roo]

Originally Posted by Fenris

This is The Box. Anything goes.

Try again with your OP in the Pit where it belongs and I won't put a poll at the top.

You're kidding, right?

The only people who can add polls to an existing thread is a mod. And if a mod wants to mess up your thread, he/she will. . . in any forum. And there's nothing any of the posters can do about it. That's why Box and non-Box threads are exactly the same in reality.

[Caerie]

The only people who can ban people is a mod. And if a mod wants to ban you, he/she will...on any message board. And there's nothing posters can do about it. That's why all message boards in the world are exactly the same in reality.

[WednesdayAddams]

Originally Posted by Fenris

I didn't get rid of him/it. I blame Giraffe.

Oh GODDAMMIT! We really can't have nice things.