See my post above. As I said, it's not that some opinions are more valid than others. It's about being (rightfully) cautious of new posts that suddenly spring out like this... especially two newbies in a row like happened here.

But, if you want to be offended, by all means be as offended as you care to be.

Contradictions don't exist. If you are faced with a contradiction, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong. -- Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

thanks Jims02....I have been enjoying reading this board for a long time and never posted....Dawg just hit a nerve....I try not to make blanket assumptions about groups of people

While I agree that Deena is no dummy, she definitely doesn't isn't going to make the ranks for all time best player. There are two masters of the game...Dicque and PornoBrian. Behind them are Tina (the dog that didn't bark)and Sooozin who set the bar for hard-nosed, no non-sense female players. These are not necessarily who I like the most, but the people who adapted quickly, found the soft-spots in their fellow players and utilized that weakness to their own advantage. That is the key to Survivor. One must be a Master of Social Manipulation.

Well, that last post was supposed to be a scathing dismissal of Dawg, but I think I hit the button or something, and the post got lost (guess us newbies really do suck)

To sum up what would have bee a rambling and emotionless post, let me say this:

Dawg, if you are suspicious of everyone with less than 1000 posts of being a MB plant, relative, or ##### Hatch's gay lover, I think it is probably time to come up for air, man. You have obviously been spending a little too much time in the chatroom.

I was just proposing a bullschmidt theory like everyone else. At no time did I say it was a confirmed fact, a lock, or more than my opinion. In short, please do not feel the need to add to your 3900 posts by scribbling in my thread.

--Respectfully,

BNL

"Go sell crazy somewhere else, we're all stocked up here"

psst, BNLfan --

Wanna get SurvivinDawg REALLY worked up? Say this in your next post:

"I'm positive that blah-blah-blah is going to happen, because it says so on the CBS Website."

Seriously, though, don't be too upset with Dawg. Someone had to replace Shakes the Clown as Cantankerous Curmudgeon in Residence here. (winks at Dawg)

Also have to say I admire that you volunteered for SOTS, something I've been too chicken to do. I suspect you will be up to the task.

LAST EDITED ON 04-02-03 AT 07:33 PM (EST)

Well, let me try to say this ONE more time and see if the message gets across. I thought posting my intentions a couple of times already would be sufficient use of the English language, but it appears that some of you are just going to be "offended" no matter what I say, because you want to be. So be it.

First, I have not personally flamed any of these newbies like shakestheclown used to. If any of you really think I'm even close to what shakestheclown used to spew at newbies, then you need to do some research, or just remain offended.

I don't mind newbies posting. Not at all. But when those newbies have 1000 posts, or 4000 posts or whatever, they will understand what I am talking about, and why I am skeptical of the situation that happened here with the first two posts. We've seen "newbies" get on here before, and spew out *BOGUS* information. I gave an example in an earlier post to this thread (that seems to have been deliberately ignored). I could give many more, including one or two from this season.

You better believe I'm skeptical, and I don't think I was wrong in saying I'm skeptical.

Last, for the last time: Those newbies who are genuine, JUST KEEP POSTING and we'll soon see that you're genuine. Those that are CBS or MB plants won't keep posting.

Oh, and welcome to the board, newbies!!!

Yes, I see sleeeve's post, and I can assure you I will not diverge from the rules again. Furthermore, I've said all I care to say on this subject. Believe what and who you want at your peril. I am done here.

Contradictions don't exist. If you are faced with a contradiction, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong. -- Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

Well this one did it! Yes, I have registered! I have been lurking only for this episode of Survivor and have enjoyed everyones analysis. I pretty much have discounted all spoilers, especially CO's because even if he was there, too much of his info is off ever so slightly that a guess using his info is just that, a guess. Not even using it as final 4 guesses. I think I gain more insight on the posts based on the photos that are so well analyzed.

Now I must say that BNL did not offer any spoiler information, just a theory, and it is a good one. Not highly probable, but heck, how many times have you said "I didnt see that one coming." BTW, I don't know BNL or anyone here in person.

Now if BNL's theory proves true, then he is suspect! But until then BNL is just sharing and I liked it and it is subjective whether it should have been in an existing thread.

Yep, I'm a newbie, not very 'puter savvy. And probably wont have a high post number because being so logic and analytical is not my strength. Plus I just dont have time.

LookeeLoo

C'mon Dawg, I was just funnin' -- trying to diffuse a little of the tension. I think your points are valid.

If any of you really think I'm even close to what shakestheclown used to spew at newbies, then you need to do some research, or just remain offended.

No, I'd have to agree after all. You make a inadequate replacement for Shakes, someone else will have to apply for the job.

Just a reminder to everyone to please review and follow the site guidelines, specifically, Section I (Please Welcome New Members) and Section II (Do Not Attack Other Members).

In the future, if anyone has any concern about the validity of new memberships (including but not limited to the possibility of duplicate IDs or concern that a former poster may be using a new nickname) please hit ALERT and allow the webmaster to use IP addresses to trace the activities of these users.

Thank you... you may now resume your regularly scheduled spoiling

LAST EDITED ON 04-02-03 AT 03:55 PM (EST)

Hesitating to jump, toes over the edge, taking the plunge...

First, I've been around this site since the beginning, way back in the glory days of Survivor 1. Don't post all that much, never have, often because I don't have anything to contribute. I've seen newbies come and go, some hang around for a while and even seen some become blue men.

That said, fresh blood and new spoiler talent is always welcome. But, in spoilers, there are some basic rules. Rules that don't necessarily apply to other areas of this board. Foremost among these guidelines is the absolute necessity to keep the board free of clutter. Organization is the key to successful spoiling. Regular posters understand this, longtime lurkers do as well.

When I saw this thread and read BNL's post, my first thought was that there were about three other active threads where it could have been posted, including those titled "What about Matt?", "Alex vs Dave", and "Jenna and Matt". It had nothing to do with the number of posts the poster had or even if the point was valid or not. Just that it didn't need it's own thread.

It is a kinder and gentler board than it has been in the past. It is as approprate to welcome new members as it is to point out transgressions, or violations of community standards, if you will.

Not looking to fan the flames, just trying to maintain the high standards this board has established over the years.

Welcome to all!

Edit: OOps! OK, the Jenna and Matthew thread would NOT be appropriate. But the other two still fit.

Hello from the newbie.

Although I am new to posing on this board, I have enjoyed reading for a long time. I am not, however, new to Survivor as I have seen all except for 2 episodes since the beginning, therefore I feel knowledgeable enough to make certain intelligent and thoughtful observations. I do not get as "into" it as apparently do a lot of you. This surely doesn't make me uninformed or incapable of playing "what-if" right along with the best of you.

In my time on this board reading what all of you say, it strikes me that some of you are possessive about your board and your opinions to the point of being scary. I am not picking on Dawg for heaven's sake because he sure isn't the only person somewhat leary of newbies. You people have wonderful scenarios and provide interesting possibilities, but in the end they are just guesses....and just opinions....just like mine and everybody else's who post here. It is a game and it is meant for our amusement. Nobody is about to die.

I have read the rules and they are not unrealistic. I have no problem at all abiding by them, but I would very much appreciate it if you oldsters could please just relax a little. We newbies just might have something exciting to offer as well....and even if we don't, we have to be good for a couple of laughs!

....just saying is all.....

I think that my theory deserved its own thread. I think the "clutter aspect" of any board is an almost purely subjective thing. Seriously, I was just out for a bit of fun, and this has turned almost immediately into a pi$$ing contest. I did read the rules section, and feel that I have followed them without exception to anyone. I suggest we just kill this thread and forget this happened, I am over it already.

PEACE, LOVE, SPOILERS

______________________________________
"This name is the hairshirt I wear, and this hairshirt is woven from your brown hair"--BNL, "What a Good Boy"

I have been lurking and posting a little as you can see for about two years. I mostly just lurk. I can't help noticing this year that there seems to be less than half the posts there was in the past. I thought this might be because interest in Survivor was starting to lag I am begining to think it is because new people are afraid to post just for the reasons stated in this thread. I know that I have become very fearful of posting the last 2 seasons afraid that I may get flamed. I am afraid, and hoping it isn't true, that we may be scaring posters away. I check this sites daily and the old spark is gone.

I myself have been lurking since S3 but was only brave enough to register and post last season. I have felt welcome since that time. Not that I have any great insight mostly observations along the lines of "things that make you say Hmmm".
Just keep on topic (though, good luck in this thread ), and read before you post.
For what it's worth coming from me, welcome to all and happy spoiling!

"Permanent good can never be the outcome of untruth and violence." Mahatma Gandhi

While WackoMatteo seems pretty clueless about the game itself, he is the one player who came into it with the experience and knowledge to survive in the extreme rain forest environment. After fumbling around a bit he stumbled into the provider strategy, which is a good strategy for longjevity in the game though not in and of itself a winning strategy (Hatch used it in conjunction with his machinations, to make himself more acceptable). Now that the game has reached the jury stage, Matt has reached the point of marginal importance within his alliance, his only remaining value is as a provider. So, that's his story in a nutshell, he's stuck in his strategy and has nowhere to go with it except to go native. They will probably keep him around for a bit longer, his fate is dependant upon (a) how much food MB tosses their way and (b) whether he can win immunity.

ARRRRRRR!!!!

I don't think that's quite all of it, Dabo. Remember JP said that the key to winning at this game is adaptability, and to keep your eye on the people who do a good job of adapting.

When Matt realized he'd made a mistake by getting too close to Ryan and Daniel, and decided to try and ingratiate himself by becoming the food provider, he recognized the need to adapt. That also helped him when he went to Jaburu -- he went along with their plan, and now he is in a majority alliance instead of on the fringes of the game.

He also has an "alliance" with Rob, which I don't think anyone else knows about. Rob is pulling all the strings and will probably take a hit for that eventually, while Matt emerges unscathed. I think Matt will adapt again, and do some strategizing on his own as the game gets close to the end.

Good thinking. At some point the more intensive players will reach critical mass and begin gunning for each other, that's when the Nash game thing suggests that the smart move for all other players is no move at all. It may have started with Roger, actually.

ARRRRRRR!!!!

I think Matt WILL make it far (F2 or at least F4) combining 2 stratagies. I think a Colby/Vecepia combo could pan out. Staying in the background, not making waves, and willingness to swap alliances like V; and, the good possibility of an immunity run like Colby.

These 2 plans seem to counterdict each other, but ol Mateo is the kind of person to pull it off. A somewhat natural loner with good physical skills. I can sure see him as being the swing vote on key TC's to follow, and also winning immunity when he is on the hot seat on less critical TC's when those mad enough at him put the target on his back.

Not that I want to see this happen, it would be a disappointing end to an otherwise good Survivor.

I dunno though... Matt is quite the enigma this season.

Right now, it does look A LOT like Vecepia, like you said. "Let Matt ride along" mentality.

We might be giving the guy too much credit though. Maybe Rob is right? Maybe the guy doesn't have any idea what's going on.

In Honor of Summary Writers...
3. "Survivor is turning into Playboy At The Rainforest" -AMAI
4. "Eat a sandwich and contemplate how shallow you are" -dajaki
5. "She’s deaf! She’s deaf! Oh God, the humanity, she’s deaf!" -TechNoir
6. "Christy’s smile... one of the 1,612 defining moments" -TeamJoisey
7. "Christy wins the Jan Gentry “Aim High” Award" -Fester