The universe according to MMM

[Roadgeekteen]

This thread fits better in off topic, as it's just MMMs random rambles about random things.

Sure seems to me like it's mostly rambles about fictional topics, most of them at least semi-road-related. Any other user that wants to do that does it in the Fictional board, and any user that wants to ramble about real-life topics can use the "Random Thoughts" thread.

If we let MMM ramble in the that thread the whole thing would be his stuff.

[Max Rockatansky]

This thread fits better in off topic, as it's just MMMs random rambles about random things.

Sure seems to me like it's mostly rambles about fictional topics, most of them at least semi-road-related. Any other user that wants to do that does it in the Fictional board, and any user that wants to ramble about real-life topics can use the "Random Thoughts" thread.

If we let MMM ramble in the that thread the whole thing would be his stuff.

He does have a fictional highway thread.  This started out with more of his random thoughts on life in general and morphed into what is going on now. 

[webny99]

For some reason this one constantly is at the top but not the other one, that one rarely appears.

Some reason! Well, just so you're aware, that reason is because you keep posting here, so we keep responding to you here.

Next time you have a fictional thought, just click here to post it instead: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=32734.700

[cockroachking]

For some reason this one constantly is at the top but not the other one, that one rarely appears.

Some reason! Well, just so you're aware, that reason is because you keep posting here, so we keep responding to you here.

Next time you have a fictional thought, just click here to post it instead: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=32734.700

Or maybe he could just keep it to himself 

[Scott5114]

Respectfully, I would suggest that this thread should be in the Fictional board at this point. It's contributing to the "spamming" of the Off-Topic board, having gone well beyond the bounds of a traditional Off-Topic thread and into fictional territory on multiple levels.

Certainly, any thread that you could reasonably compare it to would be found in the fictional board. That would also hide it from non-members, which might be a good thing for the forum if there's any lurkers or potential new users who might be turned off by its constant presence in the "recent posts" section.

This thread should probably be put down like a sick dog at this point. This thread fits better in off topic, as it's just MMMs random rambles about random things. Maybe off topic should be hidden from guests as well, as it's not road related. Never got why it wasn't when Travel, Mass Transit, and Fictional Highways are.

Why would certain boards be hidden from non-members?

I believe to entice lurkers to create accounts. 

Rather, the opposite–we don't want to encourage people to join the forum if they're not interested in the non-hidden boards.

[kkt]

Speaking of Drivers Licensing Requirements, I have revised my plans on what they should be:

1. 2 hour long 100 question written exam on road signs, car controls, driving procedures, basic automotive engineering/design, vehicle inspection, road rules, and emergency procedures.

2. 1 hour long road test on basic maneuvers, parallel parking, U-Turns, 2 way streets, signaling, vehicle inspection, distance judging, lane changing, and merging, with a minimum of 1/2 hour of highway driving, and a minimum of 15 minutes of urban driving.

3. No frequency limit on re-taking either exam, with a fixed fee of $5 per test.

4. Both exams must be offered between the hours of 1 pm and 5 pm on weekdays.

5.Tests taken on the weekend must require a higher passing score on both the theory and road tests. One must score at least 75% to pass the written test and 80% to pass the road test on a weekday. To be eligible for a weekend road test, one must score at least 80% on the written test, and minimum passing score rises to 90% for weekend road tests, due to reduced traffic.

6. Minimum ages set at:  14 to receive learner permit, which one must pass the 100 question, 5 choices per answer, MC written test, 15 to take the road test.

7. Free car insurance with comprehensive collision included for those who receive both perfect scores on the written and road tests, (but passed tests can not be retaken for this purposes).

3.  Why should taking the test be that cheap?  It would cost much more than that to administer the test.  Why should non-drivers taxes be used to subsidize wanna-be drivers?  They should have to go study and practice some more before just trying the test again.

4, 5.  Forget about trying to game the time of the exam.  Busy times near one DMV may be quiet in another.  And the examiner can probably get a good idea of the driver's skill level without having to try them out in rush hour traffic.

6.  Way too young.  I'd rather the full license was more like 17, with a couple of years of practice with an over-25 license driver in the car.  The only reason for getting a license younger would be getting to a job in a rural or suburban area where there's nothing within walking distance and public transportation is little to none.

7.  Free?  How can you justify taking money from the general taxpayer, including lots of people who can't afford to drive at all, just to make insurance for drivers cost less to buy than it costs to provide?

[Bruce]

But I'm not against buses. The point is Roads over Rails.

What's the problem with trains? I love me some trains.

They don't drive on the roads.

Except when they do:

[MultiMillionMiler]

In the states that have 14-15 as the minimum permit holding age, that's more than old enough to handle controlling a vehicle on the roads out there. As for whether they should be allowed to drive in congested areas in other states, like NYC, I don't know. My enhanced road test requirement take care of any higher risks due to age. Essentially, anyone who isn't fit to drive, for any reason, wouldn't be able to pass the exams.

As for free exams/insurance, they would incentivize, much better driving from extra practice and studying to get those perfect scores. Remember, once passed, you wouldnt be allowed to retake the exams for the purpose of getting a perfect score. This would result in having better drivers on the road, and therefore less accidents, less insurance payouts..etc and less of your tax money being spent.

[Flint1979]

But I'm not against buses. The point is Roads over Rails.

What's the problem with trains? I love me some trains.

They don't drive on the roads.

Trains aren't supposed to drive on roads.

[Flint1979]

I'm not taking no stupid test. I knew how to drive before you were even born.

[Roadgeekteen]

Respectfully, I would suggest that this thread should be in the Fictional board at this point. It's contributing to the "spamming" of the Off-Topic board, having gone well beyond the bounds of a traditional Off-Topic thread and into fictional territory on multiple levels.

Certainly, any thread that you could reasonably compare it to would be found in the fictional board. That would also hide it from non-members, which might be a good thing for the forum if there's any lurkers or potential new users who might be turned off by its constant presence in the "recent posts" section.

This thread should probably be put down like a sick dog at this point. This thread fits better in off topic, as it's just MMMs random rambles about random things. Maybe off topic should be hidden from guests as well, as it's not road related. Never got why it wasn't when Travel, Mass Transit, and Fictional Highways are.

Why would certain boards be hidden from non-members?

I believe to entice lurkers to create accounts. 

Rather, the opposite–we don't want to encourage people to join the forum if they're not interested in the non-hidden boards.

Well, to be honest I'm not that interested in the normal boards 

You have this 60 page thread in a normal board, MMM.

[Roadgeekteen]

Off topic isn't hidden?

Nope.

[MultiMillionMiler]

But fictional is? That's weird.

Personally, I think off-topic sections of forums should be abolished, as they are super redundant considering how many forums there are for individual topics, and they can end up ruining and pleasant specific-topic forum with controversial/emotional topics that have nothing to do with the main reason you joined the forum. There are probably massive forums for all topics, so anyone interested in off topic should just go there, having an any-topic section in specific internet forums is kinda self-defeating and redundant, just my view.

[Roadgeekteen]

But fictional is? That's weird.

Personally, I think off-topic sections of forums should be abolished, as they are super redundant considering how many forums there are for individual topics, and they can end up ruining and pleasant specific-topic forum with controversial/emotional topics that have nothing to do with the main reason you joined the forum. There are probably massive forums for all topics, so anyone interested in off topic should just go there, having an any-topic section in specific internet forums is kinda self-defeating and redundant, just my view.

If you want it abolished why do you post so much in it?

[triplemultiplex]

it hooks perfectly into your cars engine

Please elaborate.

Something like this

I think this image perfectly represents many of MMM's ideas.  Well done.

[kphoger]

Each seat in the car, not just the driver, would have a circular opening that you can push open when you have to go.

Why do they have to be circular?  Couldn't they be octagonal?

Even better if less people ultimately got a license, less traffic, and only the best drivers on the road.

I assume you must be in favor of expanding public transit, then.  I mean, those people still need to get from A to B.

No, they would just need to work harder to get a driver's license.

You only answered one of my questions.

And why are roads better than rails exactly?

Because roads go everywhere, train tracks dont.

Roads don't go everywhere.  They don't go here, for example.

[Scott5114]

Respectfully, I would suggest that this thread should be in the Fictional board at this point. It's contributing to the "spamming" of the Off-Topic board, having gone well beyond the bounds of a traditional Off-Topic thread and into fictional territory on multiple levels.

Certainly, any thread that you could reasonably compare it to would be found in the fictional board. That would also hide it from non-members, which might be a good thing for the forum if there's any lurkers or potential new users who might be turned off by its constant presence in the "recent posts" section.

This thread should probably be put down like a sick dog at this point. This thread fits better in off topic, as it's just MMMs random rambles about random things. Maybe off topic should be hidden from guests as well, as it's not road related. Never got why it wasn't when Travel, Mass Transit, and Fictional Highways are.

Why would certain boards be hidden from non-members?

I believe to entice lurkers to create accounts. 

Rather, the opposite–we don't want to encourage people to join the forum if they're not interested in the non-hidden boards.

Well, to be honest I'm not that interested in the normal boards 

Then you shouldn't have joined the forum.

[Roadgeekteen]

Respectfully, I would suggest that this thread should be in the Fictional board at this point. It's contributing to the "spamming" of the Off-Topic board, having gone well beyond the bounds of a traditional Off-Topic thread and into fictional territory on multiple levels.

Certainly, any thread that you could reasonably compare it to would be found in the fictional board. That would also hide it from non-members, which might be a good thing for the forum if there's any lurkers or potential new users who might be turned off by its constant presence in the "recent posts" section.

This thread should probably be put down like a sick dog at this point. This thread fits better in off topic, as it's just MMMs random rambles about random things. Maybe off topic should be hidden from guests as well, as it's not road related. Never got why it wasn't when Travel, Mass Transit, and Fictional Highways are.

Why would certain boards be hidden from non-members?

I believe to entice lurkers to create accounts. 

Rather, the opposite–we don't want to encourage people to join the forum if they're not interested in the non-hidden boards.

Well, to be honest I'm not that interested in the normal boards 

Then you shouldn't have joined the forum.

Fictional Highways was one of the main reasons I joined the forum. I did join for the other boards as well, but Fictional Highways was one of my main motivations.

[hotdogPi]

MMM, maybe you should join a road meet. I already mentioned the Western Suffolk (County) one, and you replied in a PM that you might be interested, but you weren't entirely sure.

I've been to exactly one road meet, and I've met with two other forum members in person outside that meet.

[Scott5114]

Respectfully, I would suggest that this thread should be in the Fictional board at this point. It's contributing to the "spamming" of the Off-Topic board, having gone well beyond the bounds of a traditional Off-Topic thread and into fictional territory on multiple levels.

Certainly, any thread that you could reasonably compare it to would be found in the fictional board. That would also hide it from non-members, which might be a good thing for the forum if there's any lurkers or potential new users who might be turned off by its constant presence in the "recent posts" section.

This thread should probably be put down like a sick dog at this point. This thread fits better in off topic, as it's just MMMs random rambles about random things. Maybe off topic should be hidden from guests as well, as it's not road related. Never got why it wasn't when Travel, Mass Transit, and Fictional Highways are.

Why would certain boards be hidden from non-members?

I believe to entice lurkers to create accounts. 

Rather, the opposite–we don't want to encourage people to join the forum if they're not interested in the non-hidden boards.

Well, to be honest I'm not that interested in the normal boards 

Then you shouldn't have joined the forum.

Fictional Highways was one of the main reasons I joined the forum. I did join for the other boards as well, but Fictional Highways was one of my main motivations.

Then you shouldn't have joined the forum.

[Flint1979]

I wouldn't mind going to a road meet that sounds kind of fun. I wouldn't mind meeting any of you but I'd probably do a Michigan meet somewhere if there was one. Indiana or Ohio would be a maybe.

[Roadgeekteen]

Respectfully, I would suggest that this thread should be in the Fictional board at this point. It's contributing to the "spamming" of the Off-Topic board, having gone well beyond the bounds of a traditional Off-Topic thread and into fictional territory on multiple levels.

Certainly, any thread that you could reasonably compare it to would be found in the fictional board. That would also hide it from non-members, which might be a good thing for the forum if there's any lurkers or potential new users who might be turned off by its constant presence in the "recent posts" section.

This thread should probably be put down like a sick dog at this point. This thread fits better in off topic, as it's just MMMs random rambles about random things. Maybe off topic should be hidden from guests as well, as it's not road related. Never got why it wasn't when Travel, Mass Transit, and Fictional Highways are.

Why would certain boards be hidden from non-members?

I believe to entice lurkers to create accounts. 

Rather, the opposite–we don't want to encourage people to join the forum if they're not interested in the non-hidden boards.

Well, to be honest I'm not that interested in the normal boards 

Then you shouldn't have joined the forum.

Fictional Highways was one of the main reasons I joined the forum. I did join for the other boards as well, but Fictional Highways was one of my main motivations.

Then you shouldn't have joined the forum.

What do you think will happen? I had been lurking on the forum for a few years beforehand, and I kept on seeing mentions of this fictional highways board that you needed an account to even view. If I could have viewed the board as a guest, I might not have joined that early- I probably would have joined eventually, but not in 2017. You don't seriously expect there to be hidden boards that guests don't know about that don't entice people to join. Especially since Fictional Highways is road related, not like Mass Transit.

[Roadgeekteen]

I wouldn't mind going to a road meet that sounds kind of fun. I wouldn't mind meeting any of you but I'd probably do a Michigan meet somewhere if there was one. Indiana or Ohio would be a maybe.

As soon as I get a license I would probably try to make it to a roadmeet in my local area when there is one.

[Flint1979]

I wouldn't mind going to a road meet that sounds kind of fun. I wouldn't mind meeting any of you but I'd probably do a Michigan meet somewhere if there was one. Indiana or Ohio would be a maybe.

As soon as I get a license I would probably try to make it to a roadmeet in my local area when there is one.

I would do one within 250 miles or so of my house. I'd go to like Dayton or Chicago both of which are about the same distance. I'd probably do Cincinnati too but would definitely do Detroit.

[kphoger]

When was the Fictional Highways board launched?

I joined in 2011, and I was primarily interested in signage at that time.  I've never been much into fictional plans.  So, if the Fictional Highways board existed back then, it's certainly not what drew me in.

The existence of an invisible Fictional Highways board only entices people to join if (a) they're serious lurkers who already spend a lot of time reading forum posts, (b) they're savvy enough to realize that certain linked-to threads are off-limits to non-members, and (c) they care enough about the topic to do something about it and join.  The two groups of people who fit all three categories appear to be (1) bona fide roadgeeks whose participation in the forum is value added, and (2) obnoxious misfits with a spectrum disorder whose participation in the forum is distracting and irritating.  That Venn diagram does have a substantial overlapping population, such that there are plenty of value-adding members on the spectrum here, but it's the non-overlapping population that tanks the forum every so often.

However, if Fictional Highways were made visible from the get-go, then all sorts of clowns would join the forum for no other reason than to hang out in Fictional La La Land.