Should a 40-year-old post this much in SYM?

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 10:07 am

Though a demographic study of SYMers hasn’t been formally conducted (wouldn’t that be interesting?), it seems obvious that this, and other on-line communities are the purview of younger adults. Why is this? I would guess that there are only a handful of posters here that are 40 and above. Is there something weird about an old guy hanging out with you bunch? Or is SYM a melting pot of generations as well as nationalities and I should just stop worrying?

Vivien · Post by **Vivien** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 10:12 am

Originally posted by Gwalchmai:
Though a demographic study of SYMers hasn’t been formally conducted (wouldn’t that be interesting?), it seems obvious that this, and other on-line communities are the purview of younger adults. Why is this? I would guess that there are only a handful of posters here that are 40 and above. Is there something weird about an old guy hanging out with you bunch? Or is SYM a melting pot of generations as well as nationalities and I should just stop worrying?

That depends

What is your 'friendly posting' vs 'lecherous thoughts' ratio?

(I wouldn't want you to go, so 'melting pot')

CM · Post by CM » Fri Nov 30, 2001 10:20 am

No

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 10:24 am

Originally posted by Vivien:

That depends What is your 'friendly posting' vs 'lecherous thoughts' ratio?

(I wouldn't want you to go, so 'melting pot')

Well, that's a toughy... I think my 'lecherous thoughts' postings are mitigated by the fact that I never have, nor will I ever convert any of those thoughts to actions, thus we can re-classify the 'lecherous thoughts' postings as 'complimentary innuendo' postings, which are a sub-set of 'friendly posting'. Therefore, my 'friendly posting' is at nearly 100% (there have been a few unintentional flames in there), so I think I'm doing good!

Now others, possessing greater wisdom than I, might disagree with me.

McBane · Post by **McBane** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 10:28 am

I think the over 40 crowd is inspiration to us in the mid 30 crowd.

As long as you are around, I won't question whether I am too old to be lurking here

So I guess I should thank you!

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 10:33 am

Being the teenage area myself, I feel neither highs nor lows towards this sort of thing. As long as it involves beer, and sex I'm fine.

EMINEM · Post by **EMINEM** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 11:08 am

'Depends on how you look at it. Personally, I think that lurking and posting in SYM is the "grown-up" thing to do, and the company you keep likeminded in their serio-comic view of the world, while posting on the BG2 and ToB forums is meant more for the teenagers and teenagers-at-heart among us. Most of us probably started posting there, but over time have migrated to SYM because we found it to be a relatively more mature place to be.

Kayless · Post by **Kayless** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 11:28 am

Originally posted by Gwalchmai:
Should a 40-year-old post this much in SYM?

No. It’s aberrant and weird. Act your age and go spend some time playing golf or reminiscing about the ‘good old days’.

Bloodstalker · Post by **Bloodstalker** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 11:31 am

Actually, he can do that here, in the In My Day thread.....

scully1 · Post by **scully1** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 11:43 am

Gwally, you think too much

THE JAKER · Post by **THE JAKER** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 12:02 pm

Oh well, I don't think that there's anything wrong with being 40 anywhere - the GB community thankfully offers mature and juvenile discussions for all ages. Besides, these days older people are getting younger all the time

thantor3 · Post by **thantor3** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 12:14 pm

Ah yes... turning forty. I remember it well -- the angst, the endless questioning, the overwhelming desire to buy a red ferrari...

Not to worry, Gwally. By the time you reach sixty, it all fades away when you discover what is really important in life: an eggcrate mattress and large daily doses of fiber.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 1:34 pm

Originally posted by thantor3:
Ah yes... turning forty. I remember it well -- the angst, the endless questioning, the overwhelming desire to buy a red ferrari... Not to worry, Gwally. By the time you reach sixty, it all fades away when you discover what is really important in life: an eggcrate mattress and large daily doses of fiber.

I've heard that about men turning forty....an almost overnight desire for fast cars and um.....aurally stimulating experiences....amazing how much better one can appreciate music as age creeps along!

[ 11-30-2001: Message edited by: dragon wench ]

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 1:39 pm

Posted by Than -

I remember it well -- the angst, the endless questioning, the overwhelming desire to buy a red ferrari...

This may explain my husband's blind desire for that Toyota...

(just out of reach of our pocket this year, but a Ferrari is out of reach forever...)

THE JAKER · Post by **THE JAKER** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 2:17 pm

Hmm, I wonder what will happen to me when I turn 40? I've always loved fast cars and "music"

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 2:22 pm

@The Jaker - then a 5 litre engine and 200 watt speakers jump to mind...

[ 11-30-2001: Message edited by: Yshania ]

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 2:25 pm

A woman I work with has a theory that when a man is about to turn 40 (give or take a year or two), he will acquire at least one of the following three things:

1) a girlfriend
2) an obsessive hobby
3) a sports car

When her friends complain about their husband wanting to buy a new Porsche, she explains her theory and says that the car is the least destructive to the relationship, and to let him buy the thing.

She claims that some guys go for more than one, but by and large, most men take their pick. She also claims that no American man is exempt from this pattern of behaviour.

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 2:34 pm

@HLD - I am not sure about the no Amercian man being exempt - maybe this is more universal? I will happily share the sports car, though, being as I would probably 'have' to use it more than he does...

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 2:36 pm

Well, I already have a Toyota, and I don't have much desire for a sports car. As I age, I find myself becoming more practical, thinking that sports cars don't do well in accidents....

But what can I offer SYM from my aged perspective? Perhaps a touch of level-headedness (of course Mr. Sleep has plenty of that - how old is he, like 13? Wow.

), or ancient wisdom (but Minerva has that covered). I am not really the font of knowledge that Fable or C.E. are. I try to be as funny as Waverly or Omar, but it kinda comes off pathetic given my age. I can't really hold my own in discussions of modern culture ("Smashing Pumpkins" is something I try to prevent the neighborhood teen-aged hooligans from doing during Halloween!) Seems I am only good for placing your lives in perspective. All of you can look at me and say, "Well, at least I'm not as old as Gwally!"

Hmmmm. I can live with that!

I take back what I said earlier: I’ve seen some old Jaguars from the 1950s that I would love to refurbish! That would be cool!

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Fri Nov 30, 2001 2:47 pm

Posted by Gwally -

Well, I already have a Toyota, and I don't have much desire for a sports car. As I age, I find myself becoming more practical, thinking that sports cars don't do well in accidents....

Hence I get the 'family' car whilst he gets the sporty two seater.