Choosing Your Battles, or Picking Your Poison

[Bamagan]

The question-at-large is: How do you decide which thread conversations to join?

There are some here who involve themselves in nearly every thread, while others seem largely absent until they swoop in, drop a bon mot or two on a conversation, then vanish as swiftly as they appeared.

I suppose I try to split the difference, more or less. I tend to avoid certain types of threads, such as those that are predicated on some supposed difference or preference based on gender, nationality, or what-have-you. Some might be intended to serve as battlegrounds, or they may simply wind up that way by happenstance, but either way I too often find them devolving into absurdities (from my perspective). Once they're sufficiently derailed by puns and non sequiturs* they seem a bit more hospitable (although I suspect certain others consider that development to be the point at which they are devolving into absurdity).

My inner Hermione is conditioned to try answering questions, so I often get involved in those kinds of thread... although if someone has already said what I would have, I can sometimes resist the impulse to speak up.

*Oh, and naughty gifs.
https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/2c881e32-fc4c-4dba-b305-4023bc40b30d/dg6cgqu-5bbe8447-f3d8-4e2c-9358-a7940016fed5.gif?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzJjODgxZTMyLWZjNGMtNGRiYS1iMzA1LTQwMjNiYzQwYjMwZFwvZGc2Y2dxdS01YmJlODQ0Ny1mM2Q4LTRlMmMtOTM1OC1hNzk0MDAxNmZlZDUuZ2lmIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.NvXo_91zHLWIempVlejiBH0Plazi3Gp-Xz5oNTJpHqU

 

[onehitwanda]

If there's an opportunity to make a snarky comment, a pun, or cause mayhem I can't resist.

Otherwise, it's down to whether I feel I have anything relevant to add. Or how bored I am.

 

[Bamagan]

If there's an opportunity to make a snarky comment, a pun, or cause mayhem I can't resist.

Otherwise, it's down to whether I feel I have anything relevant to add. Or how bored I am.

Then I guess it's about 50/50 whether or not you're currently bored.

 

[Darkweather]

There is a good question!
For me it is certainly a matter of time and interest. I don't spend a lot of time lurking on the boards so will pick conversations which seem to be of interest. If it is a discussion thread I will usually make my points and then leave, not waiting around for the discussion to descent into the usual polarised view on whatever the point was.

I'll add ones to favourites that are likely to be humorous or aligned to my particular perversions lol.

and I'll always join ones with roller skating girls flashing their arse!!

 

[AwkwardlySet]

Good question.
I tend to avoid the simple trivia and fun threads as well as those where people just take turns to link their own stories, praising comments or stats. That leaves the threads where some topic is actually being discussed, although it's quite rare that anything fruitful comes out of such discussions. People get personal, or they simply leave the thread mid-discussion, or the thread gets closed due to someone getting too political or offensive, or because our AH mod doesn't really have a consistent approach. Generally, one in fifty threads or so is worth participating in.
Congrats on being number 50.

 

[Shady_nz]

I enjoy the word game, music and MrT's Tavern ( although I haven't been in there much recently) threads.
Tend to lurk more in other ones...

 

[onehitwanda]

Then I guess it's about 50/50 whether or not you're currently bored.

I'm *always* bored.

 

[TheLobster]

(...) others seem largely absent until they swoop in, drop a bon mot or two on a conversation, then vanish as swiftly as they appeared.

You rang?

 

[Bramblethorn]

If there's an opportunity to make a snarky comment, a pun, or cause mayhem I can't resist.

Otherwise, it's down to whether I feel I have anything relevant to add. Or how thirsty I am.

FTFY.

 

[SinclairGroupLLP]

I’m so wet behind the ears here I am just happy to get a chance to say anything, most of the time. I have started to notice trends, though. I have stayed clear of the “women, tell me…” threads, for instance.

 

[SimonDoom]

Threads that draw my eye and make me want to participate:

1. Threads about the writing process, writing mechanics, points of view about writing, what people like and don't like, etc.
2. Threads where it seems like the OP is genuinely confused about something and I think I have something useful to contribute.
3. Threads were the OP is making an effort to stir things up in a positive way and inviting others to contribute, like StillStunned's Writing Exercise threads.
4. Threads that invite people to show wit or writing chops, like the aforementioned one, or TarnishedPenny's limerick thread.
5. Threads about random subjects, like pop culture topics that grab my interest for whatever reason.
6. Threads about proposed changes to the website, or criticism of the website.
7. Threads that give me the opportunity to make lists.

 

[onehitwanda]

FTFY.

I drink wine to numb the pain...

https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExMTZuNngya3oxdDU3eXBobmpxZnh2OGM3Y3FzZXhmdjE2dHVnNTZyMCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/Zju9y1F7lzsY1f2Svx/giphy.gif

 

[StillStunned]

I choose not to post in this thread.

 

[Bamagan]

I choose not to post in this thread.

https://i.imgur.com/NjFusAy.gif

 

[NuclearFairy]

I post in threads when I think I have something to contribute. Although half the time when I go to post somewhere I suffer a bit of an anxiety attack and so delete my response and go away. Sometimes I come back and try to post in that thread anyways...

 

[MrPixel]

I post whenever I feel the need to commit thread drift. Fortunately, the late, great TxRad's The AH Coffee Shop and Reading Room is one humongous thread drift, so my misbehavior has a deserving target... most of the time.

 

[Voyeurkenneth]

I enjoy all the threads about others' writing process, mechanics, tips, experiences with the site, reader engagement, category mania. It's all been awesome content to consume as an amateur writer. Recently, the treasure trove of Loving Wives threads have been useful (and animated!) to help me understand the site and the readership.

I'd say I tend to avoid showing too much of my personality, but I do enjoy others' flashes of humor. Helps the day go by!

 

[StillStunned]

https://i.imgur.com/NjFusAy.gif

Something something philosophical statement about the illusion of choice something something.

 

[onehitwanda]

Something something philosophical statement about the illusion of choice something something.

something something nonsensical statement about sardines.

 

[alohadave]

I’m so wet behind the ears here I am just happy to get a chance to say anything, most of the time. I have started to notice trends, though. I have stayed clear of the “women, tell me…” threads, for instance.

Jump on in. Your have as much right to post here as anyone else. The old timers don't own the place and they can't keep you out.

 

[NotWise]

My choice has changed over time.

At first, I wanted to put my two bits in on almost every thread.

Later, I started picking threads where I might add something, even if I was adding to the drift

Still later, I started responding to new threads only and ignoring old threads and their drift.

Now, I seem to be picking threads randomly, but if it's nerdy enough then I'm almost sure to respond.

I have no idea why I'm responding to this thread.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I drink wine to numb the pain...

That's not the kind of "thirsty" I was tal–

https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExMTZuNngya3oxdDU3eXBobmpxZnh2OGM3Y3FzZXhmdjE2dHVnNTZyMCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/Zju9y1F7lzsY1f2Svx/giphy.gif

– or maybe it is. Carry on.

 

[SimonDoom]

https://i.imgur.com/NjFusAy.gif

Something to add to my list:

8. Posts with bitterns. They just rope me in.

 

[Rustyoznail]

Jump on in. Your have as much right to post here as anyone else. The old timers don't own the place and they can't keep you out.

Just kidding...

 

[Cagivagurl]

I first became interested in AH conversations hoping to find helpful writing tips.
There are a few, but mostly I've been disappointed in that regard.
There's very little actual writing advice.
I join conversations where I may have something to say... Or, I find a sarcastic twist...
There have been a few occasions where I couldn't stay out. Now I try not to join those.
The AH, is funny at times, fucking awful at others. The AH, is the equivalent of LW...
Big egos, and lots of opinions....
See things our way, or fuck off... That's the AH... In my opinion that is...
Sometimes, it's just nice to throw in a hand grenade, and wait for the explosion.

Cagivagurl