A request to my fellow AH denizens (stop thread hijacking)

[Red_Herring4]

Kudos to the OP for making a cranky request in a such a friendly, polite, good-natured way.

In principle, I agree that threads should remain on topic. In practice, I don't think what you're asking is realistic.

People come to the AH for all kinds of reasons. Some enjoy serious discussion of literary topics and want to learn how to become better writers (or share what they have learned with their fellow writers). Others come to the AH more for social interaction and camaraderie. Some fall into both camps depending on the day and their mood. Some may even come to AH to answer threads as though they were an actual fish, like their avatar, because it amuses them to do so.

For the most part, I think that by the time a thread is hijacked, it's already run its course. Those who have something serious or meaningful to say on the topic have said it. Once that has happened, the thread either dies then and there, or it finds new life by branching off on to other topics. You may find it annoying because you were hoping for 60 serious posts about the topic at hand rather than a paltry 25, and I can understand that. But I think this may be a case where modifying your expectations may bear more fruit than expecting those who post here to change their ways.

 

[alohadave]

I mean, he's not exactly wrong...

Threads go where they go. Sometimes they veer off into unexpected but interesting directions, sometimes they're hilarious and irreverent, but...yeah maybe we could reign it in a touch sometimes

That said, it's rare that strong armed thread policing makes an online community better, so it's probably best left as a plee to the individual AH dwellers consiance

It's a very fine line to walk. From my experience, it's better to have a light touch and redirect when things go too far off the rails.

That requires mods that are actually involved in the forum, and not just called for reported posts.

 

[onehitwanda]

That requires mods that are actually involved in the forum, and not just called for reported posts.

The problem I've seen elsewhere (reddit is a great example) is that unless the mods are really, really good it becomes a power thing.

 

[SimonDoom]

Yeah seems like it started sometime last year. Maybe in August. Around the 13th I think.

I wasn't going to say anything about that, but yes.

 

[MelissaBaby]

Kudos to the OP for making a cranky request in a such a friendly, polite, good-natured way.

In principle, I agree that threads should remain on topic. In practice, I don't think what you're asking is realistic.

People come to the AH for all kinds of reasons. Some enjoy serious discussion of literary topics and want to learn how to become better writers (or share what they have learned with their fellow writers). Others come to the AH more for social interaction and camaraderie. Some fall into both camps depending on the day and their mood. Some may even come to AH to answer threads as though they were an actual fish, like their avatar, because it amuses them to do so.

For the most part, I think that by the time a thread is hijacked, it's already run its course. Those who have something serious or meaningful to say on the topic have said it. Once that has happened, the thread either dies then and there, or it finds new life by branching off on to other topics. You may find it annoying because you were hoping for 60 serious posts about the topic at hand rather than a paltry 25, and I can understand that. But I think this may be a case where modifying your expectations may bear more fruit than expecting those who post here to change their ways.

25??

I don’t see many threads making it to 25 on topic replies. Most don’t make 10.

 

[alohadave]

The problem I've seen elsewhere (reddit is a great example) is that unless the mods are really, really good it becomes a power thing.

Definitely. It attracts petty dictators.

 

[onehitwanda]

I wasn't going to say anything about that, but yes.

squints, thinks, looks at calendar, squints more, checks threads, looks at dates.

Oh! I get it now!

 

[onehitwanda]

Definitely. It attracts petty dictators.

If only it would attract pretty dictators. I could live with that, I think.

 

[Red_Herring4]

25??

I don’t see many threads making it to 25 on topic replies. Most don’t make 10.

It was just a hypothetical number---based on the OP's original example of a 60-post thread---meant to illustrate a thread in which fewer than half the posts were on topic.

That said, I take your point. You've also been here much longer than I and have many, many more posts, so I respect your assessment of what you are seeing currently and how it compares to what you saw six years ago.

 

[gunhilltrain]

I mean, he's not exactly wrong...

Threads go where they go. Sometimes they veer off into unexpected but interesting directions, sometimes they're hilarious and irreverent, but...yeah maybe we could reign it in a touch sometimes

That said, it's rare that strong armed thread policing makes an online community better, so it's probably best left as a plee to the individual AH dwellers consiance

I'm trying to rein myself in, because I can digress way too easily. If the OP complains, which is actually rather rare, I will apology.

However, in the case of one guy (he was complaining about how his non-consent stories were getting rejected) we stepped all over his thread and we felt no guilt about it. We stopped even talking about him and his issues at one point and went off on completely unrelated topics. The OP was long gone from the thread by then.

 

[MediocreAuthor]

Yeah, I'm not suggesting moderator intervention
That sucks.

I'm advocating for self restraint. It's the only hope

 

[SimonDoom]

I'm trying to rein myself in, because I can digress way too easily. If the OP complains, which is actually rather rare, I will apology.

However, in the case of one guy (he was complaining about how his non-consent stories were getting rejected) we stepped all over his thread and we felt no guilt about it. We stopped even talking about him and his issues at one point and went off on completely unrelated topics. The OP was long gone from the thread by then.

But in that case, if it's the one I'm thinking of, the OP starting by saying "I'm out of here" and in that initial post called the site-owners assholes. If you want respect from others, you have to treat them with respect. I don't feel much obligation toward people who come storming into this forum with demands and threats and insults. You get what you give. If threads are started in a respectful way and the OP stays involved in a respectful way, the thread is less likely to be hijacked.

 

[Comshaw]

Big problem? No.
Little problem? Yes.

Worth avoiding? I say so. Although that is only my opinion

Your request was done politely. I will try to answer in the same vein while making my point.

A little problem? An irritant rather than something that will do harm? Perhaps, from your perspective. From mine, it's no problem at all. But if I acquiesce to your request to comply with the line monitorish, "keep the line straight and quit talking" it will irritate me. Shall I trade your irritation for mine? Why should I? To alleviate your itch at the cost of acquiring the same?

When I am in a situation like yours, where a thing irritates me and I can do little about it, I always remember the phrase, "Don't sweat the small stuff". Pass a few zooms out to the universe, pull in your zen and find a way to let it go. You'll be happier for it.

Comshaw

 

[MediocreAuthor]

Your request was done politely. I will try to answer in the same vein while making my point.

A little problem? An irritant rather than something that will do harm? Perhaps, from your perspective. From mine, it's no problem at all. But if I acquiesce to your request to comply with the line monitorish, "keep the line straight and quit talking" it will irritate me. Shall I trade your irritation for mine? Why should I? To alleviate your itch at the cost of acquiring the same?

When I am in a situation like yours, where a thing irritates me and I can do little about it, I always remember the phrase, "Don't sweat the small stuff". Pass a few zooms out to the universe, pull in your zen and find a way to let it go. You'll be happier for it.

Comshaw

Of course, you must do what you feel is best. But I do have a counter argument that could possibly sway you...

PRETTY PRETTY PLEASE!!! I'LL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND AND LOVE YOU FOREVER!!! I'LL WRITE A FILTHY STORY FOR YOU, WHERE ALL OF YOUR NASTY DREAMS COME TRUE!!!

Perhaps that counter argument could dissuade you from hijacking threads in the future?

 

[gunhilltrain]

But in that case, if it's the one I'm thinking of, the OP starting by saying "I'm out of here" and in that initial post called the site-owners assholes. If you want respect from others, you have to treat them with respect. I don't feel much obligation toward people who come storming into this forum with demands and threats and insults. You get what you give. If threads are started in a respectful way and the OP stays involved in a respectful way, the thread is less likely to be hijacked.

Yes, that was him, but it wasn't hijacked deliberately. People tried to have a conversation with him. Then, when he stopped responding, it drifted off in other directions.

 

[MediocreAuthor]

But in that case, if it's the one I'm thinking of, the OP starting by saying "I'm out of here" and in that initial post called the site-owners assholes. If you want respect from others, you have to treat them with respect. I don't feel much obligation toward people who come storming into this forum with demands and threats and insults. You get what you give. If threads are started in a respectful way and the OP stays involved in a respectful way, the thread is less likely to be hijacked.

I have seen several instances where an author has made some faux pas within the AH, everyone immediately jumps in and starts making jokes about them... then they piss off and leave the thread, and then we have a lovely bonfire on their thread's metaphorical corpse.

That isn't really what I'm talking about, although perhaps that is a different problematic issue which should be addressed separately.

I'm talking about threads where the OP didn't do anything wrong, and is helpless to the hijacking.

 

[Emilymcplugger]

Tell you what as a gesture of goodwill we could all head into some of these tangented threads and re-rail them.

What do ya say?

 

[onehitwanda]

Tell you what as a gesture of goodwill we could all head into some of these tangented threads and re-rail them.

babe, you could re-rail me any day of the week.

 

[MediocreAuthor]

babe, you could re-rail me any day of the week.

That's exactly what I was thinking!!!

 

[Djmac1031]

Maybe we need an Official Random Conversation Thread where we can all just randomly chit chat about whatever random stuff pops into our heads randomly.

Seriously though, I understand your point.

But this is the internet. It's been around awhile now.

And like it or not, it's generally how it works lol.

 

[SeraphNocturne]

Maybe we need an Official Random Conversation Thread where we can all just randomly chit chat about whatever random stuff pops into our heads randomly.

Seriously though, I understand your point.

But this is the internet. It's been around awhile now.

And like it or not, it's generally how it works lol.

Someone mentioned requesting a subform... AH Playground. I love the idea. Off topic hijinks could easily be redirected there and keep the more informational/help request threads free of clutter.

 

[SeraphNocturne]

Yes, that was him, but it wasn't hijacked deliberately. People tried to have a conversation with him. Then, when he stopped responding, it drifted off in other directions.

He went with our suggestions and grouped his story for publication. It was approved. He made certain to complain about the need to do so... the last I checked on it, it was well received by his fanbase.

The grouped collective of work was only five Lit pages long.

 

[Emilymcplugger]

I think if we can get rid of that trouble-maker @EmilyMiller then we’ll be fine. She’s always on here talking about stuff, generating interesting talking points and randomly quoting CASABLANCA.

I, of course, have no idea why?

 

[lc69hunter]

https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1459432279ra/18611091.gif

It's actually a great idea though.

What movie was that from?

 

[Emilymcplugger]

What movie was that from?

Was it AMERICAN HUSTLE?